The following Agricultural Policy & Outlook meetings have been scheduled. Costs for meal and materials varies by location. Contact the local coordinator to register. For more information on the OSU Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics’ Outlook Program, e-mail Program Leader Stan Ernst at Ernst.1@osu.edu.

Nov. 30… 9 a.m. start at Union County Service Center, 940 London Avenue, Marysville. Registration: Jon Rausch, OSU Ext – Union Co. at (937) 644-8117. Speakers: Carl Zulauf (Grains Outlook), Barry Ward (Land Prices & Inputs Outlook), , Cam Thraen (Dairy Price Outlook).

Dec. 1… dinner at Ohio Christian University, Leadership Center, 1476 Lancaster Pike, Circleville, Ohio 43113. Registration: Mike Estadt, OSU Ext – Pickaway Co. at (740) 474-7534. Speakers: Carl Zulauf (Grains Outlook), Barry Ward (Land Prices & Inputs Outlook), Ian Sheldon (World financial situation & shadow banking).

Dec. 6…dinner at Jewell Community Center, 7900 Independence Rd., Jewell, OH 43530. Registration: Bruce Clevenger – OSU Ext – Definance Co. at (419) 782-4771. Speakers: Carl Zulauf (Grains Outlook), Barry Ward (Land Prices & Inputs Outlook), Carl Zulauf (Policy).

Dec. 7…lunch at Fraternal Order of Eagles Club, 400 East Lake Dr., Ashland, OH 44805. Registration: John Augenstein, Sutton Bank at (419) 207-3644. Speakers: Carl Zulauf (Grains Outlook), Barry Ward (Land Prices & Inputs Outlook), Cam Thraen (Dairy Price Outlook).

Dec. 7…dinner at Attica Fairgrounds Social Hall, 15131 E. Township Road 12, Attica, OH 44807. Registration: Ed Lentz, OSU Ext – Seneca Co. at (419) 447-9722 ext-11; or Chris Willman, Sutton Bank at (419) 426-6253. Speakers: Carl Zulauf (Grains Outlook), Barry Ward (Land Prices & Inputs Outlook), Carl Zulauf (Policy).
Dec. 17…lunch at Knights of Columbus Hall, 8440 State Route 47, Versailles, OH 45380. Registration: Justin Petrosino, OSU Ext – Darke Co. at (937) 548-5215. Speakers: Carl Zulauf (Grains Outlook), Barry Ward (Land Prices & Inputs Outlook), Ian Sheldon (World financial situation & shadow banking).

Jan. 11… dinner in Bellvue, OH. Registration: Julia Woodruff, OSU Ext – Erie Co at (419) 627-7631; or Valerie Bumb, First National Bank at (419) 483-7340. Speakers: Carl Zulauf (Grains Outlook), Barry Ward (Land Prices & Inputs Outlook), Carl Zulauf (Policy).

Jan. 17…lunch in Wooster, OH. Registration: Dianne Shoemaker, OSU Ext – Wayne Co. at (330) 264-8722. Speakers: Carl Zulauf (Grains Outlook), Barry Ward (Land Prices & Inputs Outlook), , Cam Thraen (Dairy Price Outlook).

Mar. 1…dinner at Wyandott County Fairgrounds, Upper Sandusky, OH. Registration: Chris Bruynis, OSU Ext – Wyandott Co. at (419) 294-4931. Speakers: Carl Zulauf (Grains Outlook), Barry Ward (Land Prices & Inputs Outlook), Peggy Kirk Hall (Ag Law Issues).

Farmers, agribusinesses and others in the agricultural industry located in Central Ohio have the opportunity to learn more about ag markets, economics and policy at an Ohio State University 2011 Farm Outlook meeting.

The program hosted by Ohio State University Extension Pickaway County with presentations from Ohio State’s Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics.

Topics covered will include grain markets, farm inputs, land values, and an outlook to the 2012 Farm Bill. The program will be held on December 1 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Leadership Center on the campus of Ohio Christian University, 1476 Lancaster Pike, Circleville, Ohio. Pre-registration is $25 per person or $30 per person at the door.

The program will feature the following speakers: Carl Zulauf, OSU Extension agricultural economist, who will discuss Grain Market outlook; Barry Ward, OSU Extension agricultural economist, discussing Why Farmland Values Will Never Fall and discuss Crop Inputs; Carl Zulauf, OSU Extension agricultural economist, who will present an Eye on the Horizon or Sunset: 2012 Farm Bill. Ian Sheldon will follow up last year’s program with his thoughts on the world financial crisis and the possible effect on agricultural trade.

Registration deadline is November 29th . For more information on the meeting, contact OSU Extension Pickaway County at (740) 474-7534, estadt.3@cfaes.osu.edu, or log on to http://pick.osu.edu/

Are you a small farm landowner wondering what to do with your acreage? Are you interested in exploring options for land uses but not sure where to turn or how to begin? Have you considered adding an agricultural or horticultural enterprise but you just aren’t sure what is required, from an equipment, labor, and/or management perspective? Are you looking for someplace to get basic farm information? If you or someone you know answered yes to any of these questions, then the OSU Extension Small Farm College program may be just what you are looking for.

OSU Extension is offering a program targeted at the new and small farmer. The Southern Ohio New and Small Farm College is an 8 week program that introduces new and even seasoned farmers to a wide variety of topics. The program will teach participants how to set goals, plan, budget, and where to find resources available for them if they chose to start a small farming operation. The courses will layout how to manage financial and farm records. Extension Educators will illustrate many different enterprises that can be profitable on land as small as one acre. The educators will show the benefits and pitfalls of each enterprise so that the participant will be able to pick and chose what may work best for them and what suits their interest. To round out the experience, a bus tour will be held around area farms so that participants can see first hand how small farm life works, and also make contacts of practicing farmers in the area.

The Small Farm College was originally conceived as a way to help southern Ohio’s tobacco farmers make the transition away from that crop as government subsidies were phased out. OSU extension educators soon realized such programming also could benefit rural landowners who own small acreage in the countryside. Since 2005, past regional New and Small Farm Colleges have helped 420 individuals representing 338 farms from 43 Ohio counties improve the economic development of their small family-owned farms. This program can help small farm landowners and farmers diversify their opportunities into successful new enterprises and new markets. And, it can improve agricultural literacy among small farm landowners not actively involved in agricultural production.

Many program participants don’t expect to make a living off the land, but do want to recoup something, said organizer Tony Nye of OSU Extension in Clinton County. First time farmers want their interaction with their land to be productive.
“They like living in the country, getting their hands dirty,” Nye said. “That has been their motivation for buying land.”

The New and Small Farm College will be conducted at three locations this year. The first college will be held at the Clinton County Extension and Agriculture Center, 111 S. Nelson Ave., Wilmington, Ohio on Tuesdays, beginning January 4, 2011 through Monday February 22, 2011. Phone (937) 382-0901. Classes run from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. each week.

The second location will be conducted at the Washington County Extension Office, 202 Davis Avenue, Marietta, Ohio on Thursdays, beginning January 20, 2011 through March 10, 2011. Phone (740) 376-7431. The Third location will be in Belmont County at the Barnesville Library Annex, at 611 N. Chestnut Street, Barnesville, Ohio also on Thursdays beginning January 20, 2011 through March 10, 2011. Phone (740) 695-1455.

Both the Washington County and the Belmont County classes will run simultaneously, utilizing Skype as a distance learning technology. Speakers will be present at both sites weekly. Classes run from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Limited to the first 50 registrations per location.

The cost of the course is $150 per person, $50 for an additional family member. Along with the vast resources and knowledge gained, participants will receive a notebook of all resource materials, a soil test, refreshments, and the bus tour. Registrations are now being accepted. Individuals interested in the program may contact Tony Nye at the Clinton County Extension office at 937-382-0901 or E-mail at nye.1@osu.edu . Registration brochures for the program can be found at www.clinton.osu.edu and are available in area Ohio State University Extension Offices.

The Ohio State University Extension and the OSU Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Developmental Economics have scheduled the first Ohio Farm Management Conference for January 25th and 26th, 2011 at the University Plaza Hotel in Columbus, Ohio.

The event is designed to provide livestock and row crop producers, as well as agribusiness professionals, a competitive edge in the financial and operational management of their farming business. Presentations will focus on employee management, farm transition planning, the public perception of agriculture, and agricultural and environmental policy.

Participants will be able to attend six general sessions, and choose between 12 breakout sessions during the two day conference. The speakers highlighted at the conference include: Dr. Brent Gloy of Purdue University, Dr. Brent Sohngen of OSU Dept of Agricultural Environmental and Developmental Economics, Mike Zuzolo of Global Commodity Analytics & Consulting LLC, and David Oppedahl of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, as well as specialist from Ohio State University Extension and the OSU Department of Agricultural Environmental and Developmental Economics.

Descriptions of the conference’s breakout, and general sessions, as well as registration information can be found on the Ohio Ag Manager website at http://ohioagmanager.osu.edu. For questions regarding the conference, contact John Yost at 740-335-1150 or e-mail at yost.77@osu.edu.

Plan to join producers, veterinarians, and others on Tuesday, November 30th at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center in Columbus. This year’s event will focus on two emerging issues for the livestock industries, handling of disabled or non-ambulatory animals, and euthanasia. Featured at this year’s Symposium is Dr. Temple Grandin, Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University and well-known animal handling expert.

Also presenting will be Dr. Jan Shearer, Professor and Dairy Extension Veterinary Specialist at Iowa State University, who will share his knowledge of appropriate methods of euthanasia, and considerations for when euthanasia should occur.

The latest research findings from surveys of consumers and the implications for the livestock industries will also be presented. Dr. Linda Lobao, Professor of Rural Sociology at The Ohio State University, will focus on results from Ohio, and Mr. Charlie Arnot, CEO of The Center for Food Integrity, will share results from national studies. An update on the activities of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board will also be given. There will be ample time for audience interaction with all of the speakers, and the Symposium will deliver practical advice and answer commonly-asked questions about how best to handle and manage compromised animals.

The intended audiences for the Symposium are livestock producers and large animal veterinarians (the Symposium is approved for Continuing Education credit). However, the topics and featured presenters may be of interest to students, Extension educators, members of agricultural groups and allied industries, and members of the general public who are also welcome.
Registration and additional information about the Symposium is available at: http://vet.osu.edu/preventive-medicine/AnimalWelfareSymposium

Farmers, agribusinesses and others in the industry located in northwest Ohio have the opportunity to learn more about ag markets, economics and policy at an Ohio State University 2011 Farm Outlook meeting.

The program hosted by Ohio State University Extension Defiance County with presentations from Ohio State’s Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics. Topics covered will include grain markets, farm inputs, land values, and an outlook to the 2012 Farm Bill. The program will be held on December 6 from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Jewell Community Center, 7900 Independence Road in Jewell, Defiance County, OH. (http://mapq.st/h/10-anlp4VLl). Pre-registration is $15 per person or $30 per person at the door.

The program will feature the following speakers: Carl Zulauf, OSU Extension agricultural economist, who will discuss Grain Market outlook; Barry Ward, OSU Extension agricultural economist, discussing Why Farmland Values Will Never Fall and discuss Crop Inputs; Carl Zulauf, OSU Extension agricultural economist, who will present an Eye on the Horizon or Sunset: 2012 Farm Bill.

Registration deadline is December 3. For more information on the meeting, contact OSU Extension Defiance County at (419) 782-4771, clevenger.10@osu.edu, or log on to http://defiance.osu.edu/