Estate Planning

Announcing our “Planning for the Future of Your Farm” Winter Workshops

By: Peggy Hall, David Marrison and Robert Moore, OSU Extension

If you and your family are grappling with the critical issue of how to transition the farm operation and farm assets to the next generation, OSU Extension is here to help.  Attend one of our “Planning for the Future of Your Farm” workshops this winter to learn about the communication and legal strategies that provide solutions for dealing with farm transition needs and decision making.  We’ve scheduled both a webinar version and several in-person options for the workshop, with the first in-person workshops coming up soon on December 7 in Celina, Ohio.

This workshop challenges farm families to actively plan for the future of the farm business.  Learn how to have crucial conversations about the future of your farm and gain a better understanding of the strategies and tools that can help you transfer your farm’s ownership, management, and assets to the next generation. We encourage parents, children, and grandchildren to attend together to develop a plan for the future of the family and farm.

Teaching faculty for the workshop are David Marrison, OSU Extension Farm Management Field Specialist, and Robert Moore, Attorney with the OSU Agricultural & Resource Law Program. Topics which will be covered in the workshop include:

  • Developing goals for estate and transition planning
  • Planning for the transition of control
  • Planning for the unexpected
  • Communication and conflict management during farm transfer
  • Federal estate tax challenges
  • Tools for transferring assets
  • Tools for avoiding probate
  • The role of wills and trusts
  • Using LLCs
  • Strategies for on-farm and off-farm heirs
  • Strategies for protecting the farmland
  • Developing your team
  • Getting your affairs in order
  • Selecting an attorney

Webinar version.  You and your family members can attend the workshop individually from the comfort of your homes.  The four-part webinar series will be February 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2024, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom. Pre-registration is required so that a packet of program materials can be mailed in advance to participating families. Electronic copies of the course materials will also be available to all participants. The registration fee is $75 per farm family.  Register by January 22, 2024 in order to receive course materials in time. Click here to register

In-person workshops.  Our local Extension Educators are hosting in-person workshops at five regional locations across Ohio. Registration costs vary by location due to local sponsorships. Click on the links below to access the individual registration information for each location:

Registration is required.  Find registration information for all workshops at go.osu.edu/farmsuccession

We hope you’ll join us to move forward on planning for the future of your farm!  For questions about the workshop, please contact David Marrison at marrison.2@osu.edu or 740-722-6073.

Farm Office Live Webinar to be Held November 17 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

The OSU Extension Farm Office Team is pleased to be offering a “Farm Office Live” Zoom webinar on Friday, November 17 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

This month’s webinar will feature the following topics:

  • Ohio’s role in organic grain production – Eric Richer, OSU Extension Field Specialist, Farm Management  
  • Using Charitable Remainder Trusts – Robert Moore, Attorney and Research Specialist, OSU Agricultural and Resource Law Program
  • Agronomy and Farm Management Podcast – Josh Winters, OSU Extension Educator and Bruce Clevenger, OSU Extension Field Specialist, Farm Management 
  • Farm Business Analysis — Clint Schroeder, Program Manager, OSU Extension Farm Business Analysis Program
  • Farmer Mental Health Concerns and Resources — Bridget Britton, Behavioral Health Field Specialist, Agriculture and Natural Resources
  • Foreign Ownership of Farmland – Panel discussion — Peggy Hall (Attorney and Director, OSU Agricultural & Resource Law Program) with Micah Brown (Attorney with National Agricultural Law Center)

To register for this program (or to access replays of previous programs):

go.osu.edu/farmofficelive

More information about this program can be accessed at farmoffice.osu.edu

 

Farm Office Live to be held on October 20 at 10:00 a.m.

The OSU Extension Farm Office Team is pleased to be offering a “Farm Office Live” Zoom webinar on Friday, October 20 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

This month’s webinar will feature the following topics:

Federal Farm Program Assistance Update

Legislative Update

A Look at Upcoming Farm Management Programs

Crop Input Outlook for 2024

Handing an Insurance Claim

Farm Bill Update

Featured Farm Office Team members include Bruce Clevenger, Jeff Lewis, David Marrison, Eric Richer, and Barry Ward.

To register for this program (or to access replays of previous programs):

go.osu.edu/farmofficelive

More information about this program can be accessed at farmoffice.osu.edu

Small Farm Series to be held in Jackson County on October 26 and November 2 & 9

by: Josh Winters, Extension Educator- Ag & Natural Resources, Jackson County

Click here for small farm series flyer

Whether you are new to farming or perhaps own a small farm in southern, Ohio, OSU Extension invites you to participate in a three session Small Farm Series on October 26, November 2 and 9 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Jackson County Extension office located at 17 Standpipe Road in Jackson.

During this series, OSU Extension Our Ohio State University Extension professionals in Agriculture and Natural Resources will provide information and strategies to help you maximize your farming experience.

This three-session course will cover:

October 26th, 2023 – “I have this Land, Now What?”

OSU Extension Educators Jessica Burns (Vinton County),  Dirk Dempsey (Pike County), and Jordan Penrose (Gallia County) will discuss opportunities that could lead to enterprises for you to improve your farmland.

November 2nd, 2023 – “Managing Farm Finances”

OSU Extension Educators Josh Winters (Jackson County), Kane Lewis, (Scioto County) and Trevor Corboy (Brown County) will cover the basics from balance sheets to management of finances.

November 9th, 2023 – “Transition Planning”

OSU Farm Management Field Specialist David Marrison will overview the transition planning process for the farm.

Registration Details

The cost is $10/session with limited seats available. Programming will begin at 6pm – 8pm with a meal provided at the Jackson County Extension Office.

To register please visit: https://go.osu.edu/sfsjackson or call 740-289-4837.

For more information you can contact Josh Winters at 740-688-5029 or at Winters.249@osu.edu.

Sponsors:

OSU Extension appreciates the sponsorship of Ohio Valley Bank, Farm Bureau-Gallia County and Pike Soil & Water Conservation District.

Ask The Experts take the stage at FSR

By: Wm. Bruce Clevenger, OSU Extension Field Specialist, Farm Management

Agriculture is information driven and growers and industry always have great questions.  Who should you ask for trusted answers?  Ask The Experts at Farm Science Review!  Three days of Experts have been scheduled to take center stage again this year at the 2023 Farm Science Review.  This conversational dive explores hot/current topics between the moderator, Experts, and the audience.  The 30-minute sessions give 15-20 minutes of information from the Experts and 5-10 minutes of Q&A with the audience.  It is the best place to stop and take a sit-down break at FSR.  Grab some food and enjoy.  Experts include ag economists, weather scientists, Women in Ag leaders, veterinarians, agricultural attorneys, agronomists.

Topics include: weather whiplash, empowering Women in Agriculture, USDA Farm Bill, farm property insurance gaps, grain markets, beginning farmer education course, ticks on pasture effecting people and livestock, mold and feed, mental health, carbon markets, an average farm may not be profitable, farm labor, death’s impact on the family business, financial health of Ohio farms, and agronomy vs. economics.

Plan you day(s) at Farm Science Review at:

https://fsr.osu.edu/ , click Visitor Information, click Mobile App/Digital Directory.

 

2023 Ask The Expert Schedule

Date Time Speaker Topic
9/19/2023 10:00 Aaron Wilson Weather Whiplash – Dealing with Weather Extremes
10:30 Gigi Neal & Linda Vernon Celebrating 20 Years of Empowering Women in Agriculture – Annie’s Project
11:00 AEDE Dept The Farm Bill and Beyond
12:00 Barry Ward Economic View From The Farmgate
12:30 Robert Moore & Jeff Lewis Farm Insurance – Covering Your Assets
1:00 Seungki Lee How Is The Market Doing?
1:30 Eric Richer What is OSU’s Farm On Course?
2:00 Tim McDermott Managing Asian Longhorned Ticks on Pasture
2:30 Scott Kenney Is Hepatitis E Virus a Risk to Ohioans?
9/20/2023 10:00 Gustavo Schuenemann Molds and Mycotoxins in Cattle
10:30 Mike Estadt How Smart Are Your Commodities?  Carbon Intensity Scores and More
11:00 Clint Schroeder Utilizing Benchmarking Data: It Doesn’t Pay to be Average
11:30 Aaron Wilson Weather Whiplash – Dealing with Weather Extremes
12:00 Barry Ward Economic View From The Farmgate
12:30 Robert Moore & Jeff Lewis Farm Insurance – Covering Your Assets
1:00 Seungki Lee How Is The Market Doing?
1:30 Margaret Jodlowski Who is Working (or Will Work) Ohio’s Farms?
2:00 David Marrison Is Your Farm Business Ready for Your Death?
2:30 Margaret Jodlowski The Farm Bill and Beyond
9/21/2023 10:00 Luciana da Costa One Health and Livestock Farming
10:30 Ani Katchova How Are Ohio Farms Doing Financially?
11:00 Bridget Britton Sit down, Take a load off, and Let’s have a Chat. Life can be Stressful.
11:30 Aaron Wilson Weather Whiplash – Dealing with Weather Extremes
12:00 Barry Ward Economic View From The Farmgate
12:30 Robert Moore & Jeff Lewis Farm Insurance – Covering Your Assets
1:00 David Marrison Is Your Farm Business Ready for Your Death?
1:30 Lindsey, Ortez, Ward Agronomy + Economics = Agronomics. What Comes First in the Equation?

 

Ask The Experts is located at the corner of Kottman and Friday Avenues, Exhibit Area 425, across from the Firebaugh building.  Seating is available under the tent.

In addition to the Ask The Expert sessions, Review goers can explore OSU Extension Farm Management Resources in the Firebaugh building across from Ask The Expert area all-day, each day of the Review.  OSU Extension Farm Management resources can also be found online at: https://farmoffice.osu.edu/

 

Characteristics of Beginning Farmers in Ohio and Potential Impact of the Ohio Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program

By: PhD students Xiaoyi Fang and Zhining Sun and Professor Ani Katchova, Farm Income Enhancement Chair, in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics (AEDE), and Chris Zoller, Associate Professor and Extension Educator, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension – Tuscarawas County

 

Click here to access the PDF version of this article that includes figures

 

Highlights

  • Ohio’s new and beginning farmers are individuals who intend to enter the farming industry or have less than ten years of experience as a farm owner/operator in Ohio.
  • Ohio’s new and beginning farmers compared to established farmers, tend to be younger, operate smaller farms, and less likely to state farming as their primary occupation.
  • The Ohio Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program supports new and beginning farmers by providing income tax credits to: 1) beginning farmers who attend a financial management program, and 2) landowners that sell or rent farmland to beginning farmers.

Profile of Ohio Beginning Farmers

According to the definition provided by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, a beginning farmer in Ohio must meet several specific criteria. An individual must be a resident of Ohio who intends to enter the farming industry or has less than ten years of experience as a farm owner/operator in Ohio. In addition, the individual must not hold any partnership, membership, shareholder, or trustee positions related to the assets they intend to acquire or lease.  The individual must have net worth of less than $800,000, among other requirements.

Analysis of the 2017 Census of Agriculture offers valuable insights on Ohio’s new and beginning farmers.  About a quarter of all farm and principal farm producers in Ohio are new and beginning farmers while the rest are established farmers. Contrary to a common assumption that new and beginning farmers are young, the age distribution of new and beginning farmers in Ohio spans a wide range of age groups (Katchova and Ahearn, 2016). While 32% of new and beginning farmers are 34 years of age or younger, a significant portion of them (9%) are 65 or older.  On average, new and beginning farmers are younger than established farmers but there are also older new and beginning farmers in Ohio.

Although males still dominate both groups, the proportion of males among new and beginning farmers is smaller (61%) than among established farmers (68%). Only 24% of new and beginning farmers in Ohio report their primary occupation as farming, indicating diverse income sources. Over half of new and beginning farmers in Ohio engage in off-farm work for more than 200 days, unlike established farmers who are less involved in off-farm work. New and beginning farmers in Ohio typically operate smaller farms in terms of operated acres.  Over half of new and beginning farmers operate less than 50 acres of farmland. New and beginning farmers in Ohio have a comparable percentage of owned or leased acres as do established farmers.

According to a USDA definition, economic class of farmers is defined as the market value of agricultural products sold and government payments.  There is a higher number of established farms in every economic class especially in the largest value economic classes, compared to new and beginning farmers.

The Census of Agriculture reveals that oilseed and grain farming is the most common specialty for new and beginning and for established farmers.   Most new and beginning farmers tend to specialize in oilseeds and grain farming (25%), other crops (21%), beef cattle (18%) and other livestock (17%).  Compared to established farmers, new and beginning farmers in Ohio tend to specialize more in specialty crops, other crops, beef cattle, and other livestock farms.

Potential Impact of the Beginning Farmers Tax Credit Program

In 2022, Ohio implemented a Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program to support new and beginning farmers in the state. This program aims to address the financial challenges faced by new entrants in the agricultural industry by offering two support mechanisms. The first mechanism provides a tax credit to new and beginning farmers who participate in a state-approved financial management program. By offering this tax credit, the program seeks to alleviate the financial stress of starting and managing a farm business. This incentive encourages beginning farmers to actively engage in financial planning and management, which can contribute to their long-term success.

Qualifying financial management programs provide information on a variety of topics including farm business planning, farm financial statements, cost of production, farm record keeping, farm taxes, farm financing, risk management, and farm business analysis. Beginning farmers who complete a qualifying financial management program pay the cost of the program but are eligible for a non-refundable tax credit upon completion of the program.

The second support mechanism focuses on providing tax credits to qualified farmland owners in Ohio. These tax credits are offered to landowners who sell or rent their farmland to beginning farmers. By incentivizing landowners to work with new and beginning farmers, the program aims to address the aging farmer population trend and promote farmland transition to the next generation. This provision helps to transition operated acres from established to beginning farmers, creating more opportunities for new farmers to start their farm businesses and grow.

The Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program benefits new and beginning farmers in Ohio. By providing opportunities for financial management program training, the program reduces the barriers to entry. It equips farmers with the necessary skills to navigate the financial aspects of running a farm business. By offering incentives for farmland owners to collaborate with beginning farmers, the program helps to increase access to land and resources for new entrants. The program addresses financial challenges associated with starting a farm business. Continued investment and expansion of such initiatives are crucial for ensuring the future sustainability of Ohio agriculture.

The implementation of the Ohio Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program holds promise in supporting new and beginning farmers’ entry in agriculture and addressing their specific needs. Continued support and resources are essential to foster the success of these beginning farmers and contribute to the success of Ohio’s agricultural sector.

References

  1. Ahearn, Mary. Beginning Farmers and Ranchers at a Glance. 2013. Economic Research Service (ERS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
  2. Katchova, A. L., & Ahearn, M. C. (2016). Dynamics of farmland ownership and leasing: Implications for young and beginning farmers. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, 38(2), 334-350.
  3. Ohio Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program, Ohio Department of Agriculture: https://agri.ohio.gov/programs/farmland-preservation-office/Beginning-Farmer-Tax-Credit-Program/Beginning-Farmer-Tax-Credit
  4. United States. (2007) U.S. Census of Agriculture. United States. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/lcwaN0022771/

 

OSU Extension Podcast bolsters Farm Management with new Co-Hosts

By Wm. Bruce Clevenger, OSU Ext Field Specialist, Farm Management

OSU Extension has surpassed 100 Episodes on the Agronomy and Farm Management Podcast with the leadership of Amanda Douridas and Elizabeth Hawkins.  Amanda Douridas is the OSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator in Madison County and Elizabeth Hawkins is an OSU Extension Field Specialist, Agronomic Systems.

On Episode 118, two new co-hosts began to alternate episodes between Agronomy and Farm Management.  Your new farm management co-hosts are Bruce Clevenger, OSU Extension Field Specialist, Farm Management and Josh Winters, OSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator, Jackson County.

Bruce Clevenger and Josh Winters will host Farm Management and Amanda and Elizabeth will continue with Agronomy.  “Farm management is important to your farming operations and Elizabeth and I are excited to partner with Bruce and Josh to enhance the farm management piece of the podcast,” says Amanda.

Episode 118 investigates Farm Insurance Policies with guest Robert Moore, J.D., Attorney, OSU Extension Agricultural and Resource Law Program.  “I would challenge you to find a more important component of farm management, that receives less attention than the farm insurance policy,” Robert Moore.

OSU Extension has many ag law resources available at https://farmoffice.osu.edu click on Law Library and Farm Office Blog.  Robert and Peggy Hall author weekly posts and write law bulletins are a wide range of topics from Agritourism to Zoning.

Visit https://go.osu.edu/afm to listen, subscribe, and suggest a topic for future episodes.  Listeners can also search their smart device app for Agronomy and Farm Management to listen and subscribe.

Farm Office Live Webinar Slated for April 21 at 10:00 a.m.

The OSU Extension Farm Office team invites you to attend the April Edition of the “Farm Office Live” Webinar on Friday, April 21 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. This monthly webinar allows Ohio farmers and agribusiness personnel to learn more about current farm management and agricultural law issues.

In this month’s webinar, the Farm Office Team will present the following topics:

Legislative and Case Law Update​ (Peggy Hall)

  • Farm Insurance Issues​ (Robert Moore)
  • “What is a ‘Taxable Gross Receipt’ under Ohio’s Commercial Activity Tax?”​ (Jeff Lewis)
  • Inflation and Interest Rates: An Update Including a Closer ​Look at Agricultural Machinery and Equipment​ (Barry Ward)
  • Crop Budgets/Income Outlook for ‘23​ (Barry Ward)
  • Avoid Chance by making 2023 Record Keeping Goals (Bruce Clevenger)

There is no fee to attend this webinar.  However, registration is required at go.osu.edu/farmofficelive

Check out farmoffice.osu.edu for all your farm management and ag & resource law needs.

Don’t Miss the March Madness Edition of the Farm Office Live on March 17

The OSU Extension Farm Office team invites you to attend the March Madness Edition of the “Farm Office Live” Webinar on Friday, March 17 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. This monthly webinar allows Ohio farmers and agribusiness personnel to learn more about current farm management and agricultural law issues.

In this month’s webinar, the Farm Office Team will present the following topics:

  • Federal & State Legislative Update (Peggy Hall)
  • New Postnuptial Agreement Legislation (Robert Moore)
  • Marital and Non-Marital Assets (Robert Moore)
  • Selling Timber- Call Before You Cut (Dave Apsley)
  • Update on Crop Input Costs and Crop Budget Outlook for 2023 (Barry Ward)
  • Sales Tax Exemption Issues (Jeff Lewis)
  • 2023 Spring Crop Insurance Update (Eric Richer)
  • Emergency Relief Program (David Marrison)

There is no fee to attend this webinar.  However, registration is required at go.osu.edu/farmofficelive

Check out farmoffice.osu.edu for all your farm management and ag & resource law needs.

Farm Office Live Webinar to be Held on February 17 at 10:00 a.m.

Ohio’s farm and agribusiness industry are invited to attend OSU Extension’s  “Farm Office Live” webinar on Friday, February 17, 2023 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.  The Farm Office Team providing farm management and agricultural and resource law updates during this webinar.

This month’s session topics and featured speakers include:

Ohio Land Values and Cash Rents- Barry Ward

Making the 2023 Farm Bill Decision- Chris Bruynis

Legislative Update- Peggy Hall

Understanding Farm Insurance Policies – Robert Moore

Farm Accounting: Chart of Accounts with a Purpose- Bruce Clevenger

Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP) & USDA Disaster Declarations- David Marrison

There is no fee to attend this session. Register or watch replays at: go.osu.edu/farmofficelive