Month: January 2011

Ohio Grape and Wine Conference Returns This Year: To Be Held Feb. 21-22 in Columbus

Designed for both new and established grape growers and winemakers, the 2011 Ohio Grape and Wine Conference will be held Feb. 21-22 at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center on Ohio State University’s Columbus campus.

Registration at the discounted rate is available until Feb. 4. Details, full schedule and a registration form can be found at http://go.osu.edu/BsD.

Jointly organized by the Ohio Grape Industries Committee (OGIC) and Ohio State’s Viticulture and Enology Program, the conference consists of both general and concurrent sessions covering a wide range of timely topics for people involved in the grape and wine industry and those seeking to join this growing sector of Ohio’s agriculture.

Ohio State specialists will present information on a variety of research trials in viticulture, plant pathology, entomology, weed science and enology. A special workshop has also been developed to address the critical needs of the increasing number of new growers and wineries in Ohio today. Additionally, an expanded two-day trade show with both vineyard and winery equipment and services will be featured this year.

Conference participants can also qualify for five pesticide recertification credits (one core and four commercial 2B, which also apply for Private 3P).

The Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center is located at 2201 Fred Taylor Dr., Columbus, Ohio, just off the Lane Ave. exit at State Route 315 South.

Cover Crops and Crops Insurance 2011 Rule Changes

Last October, I wrote an article on the effect of cover crops and crops insurance (see http://ohioagmanager.osu.edu/farm-policy/is-planting-cover-crops-affecting-my-crop-insurance-coverage). New rules have been put in place to make it easier to insure spring planted crops following cover crops. Producers can now submit a request for actuarial change for a crop following a cover crop (referred to as a FCC practice). The FCC practice is defined as, “planting the insurable crop after a crop planted as a cover crop has reached the headed or budded stage and/or that has been harvested on the same acreage in the same calendar year.”

Previously the cover crop had to be destroyed prior to budding or heading, in order to insure the spring planted crop. Since the weather and field conditions may not always allow for the destruction of the cover crop prior to heading or budding, the new rules state the crop must be destroyed prior to May 15th and a written request for actuarial change must be filed with the insurance agent no later than July 15th although making the request as early as possible is recommended. If the cover crop is destroyed prior to heading or budding, no written request is required.

With the FCC practice, there is no increase in insurance premiums or decrease in insurable crop yields compared to the not following another crop (NFAC) practice. However, farmers will be required to keep yield data from the FFC practice fields separate from their traditional practices. This data will create a data base to see if actuarial tables should be different for FCC practices in the future.

If the cover crop is destroyed after May 15th the spring planted crop would become ineligible for insurance coverage. For more information see http://www.rma.usda.gov/fields/il_rso/2011/covercrops.pdf

Northern Ohio New & Small Farm College

Ohio State Extension educators in the Erie Basin and Maumee Valley EERAs are working together to offer a workshop for new and aspiring farms, the Northern Ohio New & Small Farm College. This workshop will focus on topics related to profitable and alternative agriculture for small acreages and adding new enterprises to existing farm operations.

Sessions will be held once a week for four weeks during the month of March. Each session will run from 6:30 pm until 9:00 pm. This workshop will be held at two locations, one in each EERA. The Putnam County Extension office in Ottawa, Ohio will be the site on Mondays, March 7, 14, 21 & 28. EHOVE Career Center in Milan, Ohio will be the site on Tuesdays, March 8, 15, 22, & 29. The same program is offered at each site.

The topics taught at each site will include: developing real-life expectations for your farm, as well as a business plan for your operation, selecting agricultural enterprises, developing budgets, marketing your product through direct marketing tools, and resources that are available.

Cost is $50 with each additional registrant from the family or operation at $30. Participants will receive 10 hours of classroom instruction, a resource notebook (1 per family), connections to people and resources who will provide insight to helping you grow your idea into a business, and light refreshments. Registration deadline is March 1, 2011.

To register contact Alan Sundermeier at- telephone 419-354-9050 or e-mail sundermeier.5@osu.edu. More information about this program is available at http://wood.osu.edu

Ohio House introduces bill to repeal Ohio estate tax

This was posted on Peggy Hall’s AG Law Blog yesterday.  Good update

Ohio House introduces bill to repeal Ohio estate tax

Posted: 24 Jan 2011 02:13 PM PST

A bill introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives proposes a complete repeal of the Ohio estate tax.  Representatives Grossman and Hottinger introduced H.B. 3 on January 11, 2011. The bill is simple:  it amends the estate tax provisions currently in Ohio law to state that the tax provisions apply only to estates of persons who died before January 1, 2011. Regardless of when the bill would become effective, persons dying after January 1, 2011 would not be subject to the estate tax. The bill also removes the estate tax return filing requirement for estates of persons dying after the January 1, 2011 date.

The Ohio estate tax is a graduated tax on a person’s gross taxable estate, less deductions and exemptions.  An estate valued at less than $338,333 pays no tax due to credits and exemptions included in the law.  Estates between the value of $338,334 and $500,000 pay a 6% estate tax while estates over $500,000 in value owe a 7% estate tax.  The state receives 20% of the estate tax revenue and the local government of the decedent’s residence receives the remaining 80% of the tax.  Ohio is one of 17 states that have an estate tax.

How is agriculture affected by the Ohio estate tax?  It’s not uncommon for a farm estate to be valued at the taxable threshold of $338,334.  However, qualifying farm properties that elect the special use valuation option in the estate tax law can further reduce the taxable amount of the estate up to an additional $500,000.  The special use valuation election provides that qualifying farmland will be valued at the lesser Current Agricultural Use Valuation amount; qualifications for the election relate to keeping the farm in the family.  Sound planning and proper use of special use valuation thus can reduce the Ohio estate tax burden for farms that intend to continue the farm business after the loss of an active farm family member.

The idea to repeal the estate tax is not a new one; several prior attempts have not met with success.  A bill identical to current H.B. 3 was proposed last year, but the bill never made it out of the House Ways and Means committee.   Will the change in Ohio’s elected officials yield different results?  The current House Ways and Means committee will hear sponsor testimony on the H.B. 3 at its hearing on January 26, 2011.

Ohio House introduces bill to repeal Ohio estate tax

A bill introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives proposes a complete repeal of the Ohio estate tax.  Representatives Grossman and Hottinger introduced H.B. 3 on January 11, 2011. The bill is simple:  it amends the estate tax provisions currently in Ohio law to state that the tax provisions apply only to estates of persons who died before January 1, 2011. Regardless of when the bill would become effective, persons dying after January 1, 2011 would not be subject to the estate tax. The bill also removes the estate tax return filing requirement for estates of persons dying after the January 1, 2011 date. 

The Ohio estate tax is a graduated tax on a person’s gross taxable estate, less deductions and exemptions.  An estate valued at less than $338,333 pays no tax due to credits and exemptions included in the law.  Estates between the value of $338,334 and $500,000 pay a 6% estate tax while estates over $500,000 in value owe a 7% estate tax.  The state receives 20% of the estate tax revenue and the local government of the decedent’s residence receives the remaining 80% of the tax.  Ohio is one of 17 states that have an estate tax.

How is agriculture affected by the Ohio estate tax?  It’s not uncommon for a farm estate to be valued at the taxable threshold of $338,334.  However, qualifying farm properties that elect the special use valuation option in the estate tax law can further reduce the taxable amount of the estate up to an additional $500,000.  The special use valuation election provides that qualifying farmland will be valued at the lesser Current Agricultural Use Valuation amount; qualifications for the election relate to keeping the farm in the family.  Sound planning and proper use of special use valuation thus can reduce the Ohio estate tax burden for farms that intend to continue the farm business after the loss of an active farm family member.

The idea to repeal the estate tax is not a new one; several prior attempts have not met with success.  A bill identical to current H.B. 3 was proposed last year, but the bill never made it out of the House Ways and Means committee.   Will the change in Ohio’s elected officials yield different results?  The current House Ways and Means committee will hear sponsor testimony on the H.B. 3 at its hearing on January 26, 2011.View H.B. 3 here.

Small Farmer Conferences to be held in March

Ohio State University Extension will host two conferences in March dedicated to small farm landowners.

The first conference is the third annual “Opening Doors to Success” Small Farm Conference and Trade Show to be held March 11-12 at Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio. The conference will feature 38 breakout sessions and a trade show for small farmers.

The conference kicks off on Friday, March 11 at 5:30 p.m. with a session, “Get Ready – Get Set – Get Market Ready” – an evening dedicated to investigating opportunities for marketing beyond the farm gate.

Saturday , March 12 will feature over 35 breakout sessions offered throughout the day and will cover a variety of topics that will include such examples as: Growing Grapes/Making Wine; Agritourism; Bee Keeping; Poultry Production; Biosecurity for Livestock; Berry Production; Equipment Needs; Food Preservation; Food Safety; Cherry Production; Agricultural Law Considerations; Insurance Issues; Pumpkin, Sweet Corn and Tomato Production; Alternative Energy Sources; Meat Marketing, Pasture and Hay Production; Local Foods; Social Media Marketing; Financial Management; Organic Dairy: Livestock Production; Grants and Loans and so much more.

The program is co-sponsored by OSU Extension Small Farm Program; Wilmington College; Farm Credit Services of Mid-America; and the U.S. Department of Agriculture offices of the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Agriculture Statistic Service and Rural Development.

Registration is $20 on March 11, $50 on March 12 or $60 for both days. Registration deadline is March 4. For more information, log on to: http://clinton.osu.edu, or contact OSU Extension educator Tony Nye at nye.1@osu.edu or 937-382-0901.

The second annual “Living Your Small Farm Dream” Northeast Ohio Small Farm Conference and Trade Show will be held on March 26 at the R.G. Drage Career Center from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. in Massillon, Ohio.

The conference will begin with a Keynote addresses, “Using Social Media to Reach Customers and Market Your Product” followed by 23 breakout sessions attendees can pick and choose from.

Examples of Breakout sessions at this conference will include: Aquaculture; Selling Your Products Retail; Agritourism; Beekeeping; Oil & Gas; High Tunnel Cost – Share Programs; Berry Production; Developing a CSA; Soils And Fertility; Alternative Energy for Small Farms; Food Safety; Grants for New and Small Farms; Meat Goat and Rabbit Production and Marketing; Leasing Land; Government Programs for New and Small Farms and much more.

This program is co-sponsored by OSU Extension Small Farm Program; Farm Credit Services of Mid-America; and the U.S. Department of Agriculture offices of the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Agriculture Statistic Service and Rural Development.

Registration is $50 per person. Registration deadline is March 18. For more information log on to: http://jefferson.osu.edu , http://clinton.osu.edu , or contact OSU Extension educator Mike Hogan at hogan.1@osu.edu or 330-324-6341.

Ohio State University Extension Can Help You Prepare for 2011

I can remember back several years ago on the first day of a junior high school math class. The teacher gave each student a piece of wood about the size and shape of a quarter. On each side of this wooden piece were the words to and it. He explained that he didn’t like hearing his students and others use the phrase, “I’ll do (you fill in the blank) when I get around to it.” So to solve this problem he gave each of us a “round to-it.” We’ve all used this phrase in our family and business settings because it’s easy to say and do. The start of a new year is often a good time to do those things you’ve been putting off and Ohio State University Extension has a number of resources to help get you moving.

Tax Guides
It’s that time of year to figure your income, expenses, and tax liabilities for the year. IRS Publication 225 Farmers Tax Guide is an excellent reference. It provides helpful information about filing taxes and updates about changes in tax laws that may impact you. Copies of this publication are available by contacting your local OSU Extension office.

Farm Records
Whether you use a paper or the Quicken software program to maintain your financial records, OSU Extension has resources to assist you. Several farmers have been in the office recently picking up new forms for the Ohio Commercial Account Book. Some have moved to a computerized software system. If you are thinking of trying Quicken, OSU Extension has developed a comprehensive manual to get you started. A word of advice, regardless of the system you use, don’t tell your wife the receipts for the year are in a bag when she expected you to be entering transactions throughout the year! Farm records are unpleasant enough for many and there is no reason to increase your odds of a divorce.

Performance Trials
Each year Ohio State University Extension conducts performance trials at various locations throughout Ohio. Research plots are planted, harvested, and evaluated to assist farmers with making decisions about which varieties to plant based on a variety of factors. The results are published in a comprehensive guide that is available from your local Extension office. Performance trials are conducted for corn, soybeans, and forages.

Web Resources
Ohio State University Extension has a tremendous amount of research based resources available on the Internet. Visit www.ohioline.osu.edu to access bulletins and fact sheets on a number of topics. For information and resources for dairy, go to www.dairy.osu.edu where you will find information about production, management, herd health, and much more. You can also access a monthly newsletter with timely dairy information. If you are looking for information about crop production you will want to check out the Crop Observation and Recommendation Network (C.O.R.N.) at www.corn.osu.edu. The CORN newsletter is published electronically once each week during the growing season and once a month in the off season. It is an excellent and timely resource to keep track of growing conditions and recommendations on weed, insect, and disease problems. Peggy Hall, OSU Extension Legal Educator, also maintains a web site with timely information about legal topics of importance to agriculture. You can access the site at http://ohioaglaw.wordpress.com/.

If you do not have access to the web but would like information from these resources, please contact your local Extension office. In many cases, copies of newsletters can be mailed to you.

Financial Analysis
OSU Extension has several educators across Ohio trained in using the FINPACK software program housed at the University of Minnesota. FINPACK is a comprehensive software program that allows you to analyze your present performance and evaluate the impact of proposed changes to your farm business. Contact your local Extension office for more information.

Your Will
A Will is the most basic of any farm transition planning tool and is probably one of those things many put off until they get around to it. Have you developed one? If so, when was it last updated? For those who have developed one, in many cases, it was developed when their children were young and has never been changed. Now their children are grown and have families of their own. Spend some time with an attorney either to develop a Will or update the one you have.

There is a lot that goes into the day-to-day management of a farm today. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the fires that flare up and put off doing some planning for your business. Consider this your “around to-it” and have a profitable 2011.

Ohio Ag Manager Team Recognized on the A-List of Top Sites on Internet by Agriculture.com

The Ohio Ag Manager team was recognized at the conclusion of 2010 by the agriculture web site Agriculture.com (http://www.agriculture.com/) as one of their Top Ten Internet Sites for 2010.

Agriculture.com began publishing their [A] List of best agricultural features on the Internet in July of 2010. The [A] List includes websites, blogs, social media postings, user comments and other Internet-based content developed by agribusinesses, agricultural media, and farmers. The list was developed by this web site based on the idea that farmers and other agriculturalists are busy people and will appreciate guidance in finding useful and entertaining information.

“All the links on the [A] List are considered top drawer,” says Successful Farming and Agriculture.com Editor-in-Chief Loren Kruse. “But our staff also felt there are some features that deserve to be short listed.”

The Ohio Ag Manger Team’s team is very pleased to be recognized by Agriculture.com as one of their top ten sites for 2010!

The complete article published by Agriculture.com can be found at:
http://www.agriculture.com/news/technology/best-of-a-list-ten-top-picks-from_6-ar13264

Grain Market Update Webinars hosted by OSU Ag Outlook and Policy Program

The Ohio State University Agricultural Outlook and Policy Program would like to invite you to view upcoming Webinars on Grain Markets.

There are seven scheduled events:

January 19, 9:00am
February 14, 9:00am
March 15, 9:00am
April 12, 9:00am
May 12, 9:00am
June 13, 9:00am
July 13, 9:00am

To register and view the event, please follow the link:
http://aede.osu.edu/programs/outlook/zulauf/Demand-SupplyWebinars.htm

For information on the overall Policy & Outlook Program, visit our website online at http://aede.osu.edu/programs/outlook or contact Stan Ernst at Ernst.1@osu.edu or (614) 292-6421.

Vineyard Expansion Assistance Program Provides Grant Money to Ohio Grape Growers

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (Jan. 6, 2010) – Thirty Ohio grape growers will soon receive $2,000 grants provided by the Vineyard Expansion Assistance Program. Ohio vineyards will receive these grants funded by the Ohio Department of Agriculture through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Block Grant program and the Rural Rehabilitation Fund.

The Vineyard Expansion Assistance Program grants are offered in the form of reimbursement for grape vines only, encouraging grape growers to establish new wine grape vineyards and expand existing vineyards.

“Ohio’s grape and wine production is a thriving industry that employs more than 4,100 Ohioans,” said Ohio Agriculture Director Robert Boggs, chairman of the Ohio Grape Industries Committee. “The Vineyard Expansion Assistance Program helps this industry to contribute more than $580 million to Ohio’s economy and to continue to be a successful industry within our state.”

The program will allow for a more stable source of grapes for Ohio’s grant recipients by allowing each grower to plant an additional acre of high-quality, high-value grapes. It will enable more Ohio wines to qualify for the Ohio Quality Wine program that identifies the best Ohio wines that are made using 90 percent or more Ohio-grown grapes.

The Vineyard Expansion Assistance Program is managed by the Ohio Grape Industries Committee, which was created in 1982 and operates in-part through the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The committee provides marketing and research opportunities to Ohio’s wineries and vineyards and helps increase consumer awareness of Ohio’s modern, high-quality wine industry.