OSU Extension to Host Annie’s Project in Marysville, Ohio in January

By: Amanda Douridas, Extension Educator

Women in agriculture who are interested in taking a more active role in farm operations may sign up for Annie’s Project, a multi-part risk-management course offered by Ohio State University Extension. The workshop is being sponsored by OSU Extension offices in Champaign, Delaware and Union counties. The six-week workshop will be held at the Union County Extension Office beginning January 15, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and running consecutive Wednesdays through February 19th.

Annie’s Project is designed to strengthen women’s role in modern farm enterprises. The project’s namesake was a woman who grew up in a small rural community and spent her adult life learning how to be an involved, successful business partner with her husband. Annie’s daughter, Ruth Hambleton, became an Extension educator in Illinois and developed the program in 2000 in honor of her mother’s life experience. It is currently offered in 22 states. Annie’s Project focuses on five broad aspects of risk management typical in the agricultural setting: human, financial, marketing, production and legal.

OSU Extension began offering Annie’s Project in 2007, touching hundreds of lives since and inspiring women to become more active in agricultural roles. It has received wide support not only from participants, but agricultural lenders, agribusinesses, ag service providers and agricultural organizations, which have provided information, class instructors and sponsorship for the workshops.

Cost for the workshop is $80 per person (reduced from the state fee of $95 through local support). Seating is limited, so early registration is encouraged. To register or for more information contact the Union County Extension Office at 937-644-8117.

"Getting Your Farm & Family Affairs in Order" Webinars to be Offered

by: David Marrison, OSU Extension Educator

Farm accidents, cancer, disability, heart attacks, failing health, and death are all words farmers do not like to hear. Farming is the nation’s second most dangerous occupation in the United States. This combined with the aging farm population, could mean that your farm business might lose one of its key managers un-expectantly. Is your farm ready for the unexpected? Have you prepared the next generation to run your farm business after you are gone?

To help address the “ah-crap” moments caused by the unexpected, OSU Extension is pleased to be offering a webinar workshop, titled “Getting your Farm & Family Affairs in Order.” This webinar is open to farmers across the country and will be held three times. Farm Families are encouraged to choose the one which works the best for their family. These webinars will be held on:

Saturday, December 14, 2013 from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. EST
Wednesday, December 18, 2013 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. EST
Thursday, January 9, 2014 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. EST

David Marrison, OSU Extension Educator & Associate Professor will be the featured speaker for the webinar. Learn how to develop an emergency contact list for your farm and how to develop letter of instructions to your their heirs regarding their financial matters. Learn how to consolidate all of your financial and personal information (real property, savings & investment accounts, legal documents) in one easy document. This will help you get a better handle on your finances and allow you to get a jump start on your estate plan. Learn the “opossum approach” to checking to see if your heirs are ready to run the farm business. Take time to organize your financial matters for your peace of mind. This program will save you hundreds of dollars as you plan develop your succession, retirement, and estate plans. Get your affairs in order so you can concentrate on your family, career, and bucket list!

No pre-registration is required and producers can attend by logging on to: http://carmenconnect.osu.edu/ohioagmanager/ Participants are encouraged to test their computer systems out by logging onto the web site before the program. More information about this program can be obtained by contacting David Marrison at marrison.2@osu.edu or 440-576-9008