Farm Office Live Webinar Schedule for April 25 at 10:00 a.m.

We’re preparing for another edition of our monthly webinar, Farm Office Live, on Friday, April 25 at 10 a.m.  Our featured guest this month is Dr. Margaret Jodlowski, Asst. Professor in the Dept. of Agricultural Environmental and Development Economics, who will discuss farm labor issues with us.  Our remaining agenda features the Farm Office team addressing these topics:

  • Strategies for Developing the Next Leader of Your Farm Operation – David Marrison, Farm Management Field Specialist
  • Crop Profit Outlook – Barry Ward, Production Business Management Leader
  • Farm Business Analysis Update – Clint Schroeder, Farm Business Analysis Program Manager
  • State and Federal Legislative Update – Peggy Hall, Agricultural & Resource Law Program Director
  • New Laws: Paystub Protection Act and Operation of Drones – Jeff Lewis, Agricultural & Resource Law/Tax Schools Attorney
  • Tax Update: Are Avian Flu Indemnifications Exempt? – Barry Ward and Jeff Lewis
  • Upcoming Events and Deadlines – David Marrison

Join in for this free webinar by registering at farmoffice.osu.edu/farmofficelive, where replays of previous webinars are also available. We hope to see you there!

 

Farm Office Live Webinar Slated for Friday, March 28 at 10:00 a.m.

OSU Extension will be offering a Farm Office Live webinar on Friday, March 28 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Farm Office Live is a monthly webinar of updates and outlooks on legal, economic, and farm management issues that affect Ohio agriculture. Topics which will be addressed during this webinar include:

  • Grain Contract Law and Legal Considerations
  • Legislative Update
  • Enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act
  • Crop Margin Outlook, Ohio Farm Sales Data, and Tax Update
  • Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP)
  • Payment Limitation Rules
  • Farm Asset and Resource Management Spreadsheet (FARMS)
  • Beginner’s Guide to Farmland Ownership
  • Upcoming Events and Deadlines

Featured speakers include: Peggy Hall, David Marrison, Robert Moore, Barry Ward and guest speakers Eli Earich and Tyler Zimpfer.

Register for this and future Farm Office Live webinars through this link on farmoffice.osu.edu.

Past recordings and additional information about the Farm Office Live Webinars can be accessed at:

https://farmoffice.osu.edu/farmofficelive

Southern Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference

The 2nd Southern Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference will take place on April 4, 2025, at Bell Manor in Chillicothe, Ohio. The program will commence at 9:00 AM and will feature a day of engaging speakers, valuable networking opportunities, interactive workshops, and vendor exhibits.

Click here for a program flyer

Conference Highlights

  • Grant Writing Strategies—Gwynn Stewart, Assistant Director of Community Development and author of grant writing, will provide insights on identifying funding opportunities, crafting competitive applications, and building relationships with potential funders.
  • Marketing for Agricultural Businesses – Christy Welch and Kate Hornyak from OSU Extension Direct Marketing will offer guidance on effective marketing techniques to enhance audience engagement and business growth.
  • “From Soil to Success” Panel Discussion – A panel of experienced women farmers will share their insights and expertise:
    • Mandy Way – Farmers’ Markets
    • Dana Workman – Livestock
    • Liz Fundergurgh – Agronomic Crops
    • Alanna Reisinger – Floriculture Production
  • Photography for Marketing – Jenny Stoneking and Christy Millhouse of OSU Extension will lead a session on capturing high-quality images for promotional purposes using iPads, cameras, and mobile phones.
  • Hands-on Floral Workshop: Participants will learn the fundamentals of processing tulips into a floral arrangement and layering bulbs to cultivate multi-season blooms featuring daffodils, tulips, and crocuses. Each participant will leave with a floral arrangement.

Registration Details

The registration fee is $50, and participants may register online at go.osu.edu/womeninagconf. The deadline to register is March 28, 2025.

We invite women involved in agriculture to attend this enriching event, designed to foster professional growth, enhance skill development, and strengthen connections within the agricultural community.

For additional information, contact: Ryan Slaughter, OSU Extension Ross County at slaughter.71@osu.edu or by calling 740-702-3200 or visit our website or contact the event organizers. We look forward to your participation.

Farm Office Live Webinar to be held on February 21 from 10:00 to 12:00 noon

OSU Extension will be offering a Farm Office Live webinar on Friday, February 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Farm Office Live is a monthly webinar of updates and outlooks on legal, economic, and farm management issues that affect Ohio agriculture. Topics which will be addressed during the January webinar include:

  • 2025 Farm Bill Sign-up
  • Dairy Margin Coverage Sign-up
  • Charitable Remainder Trusts and Charitable Giving Strategies
  • Legislative Update
  • Electronic Signatures in Today’s Digital Age
  • Spring Crop Insurance Update
  • Updated Outlook for Crop Margins
  • Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents Survey
  • Upcoming Events and Deadlines

Featured speakers include: Peggy Hall, Jason Hartschuh, Jeff Lewis, David Marrison, Robert Moore, Eric Richer, Clint Schroeder, Barry Ward and John Woods – Guest

Register for this and future Farm Office Live webinars through this link on farmoffice.osu.edu.

Past recordings and additional information about the Farm Office Live Webinars can be accessed at:

https://farmoffice.osu.edu/farmofficelive

East Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference Celebrates 10 Years

For the 10th year, Ohio State University (OSU) Extension will empower women, high school-age and beyond through its East Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference. The event will take place on March 21, 2025, from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Shisler Conference Center 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH 44691.

Click here for the program flyer

This year’s program will feature 24 break-out sessions in 6 tracks including: Plants, Animals, Business & Marketing, Home & Family, Special Interest, and Personal Development. These informative and interactive sessions are presented by Ohio State University Extension educators, farmers, industry professionals, and partner agencies.

We are thrilled to have international speaker, author, and farm coach, Elaine Froese, at our conference this spring. She’s on a mission to guide farm families, across North America, to get unstuck, communicate better, find harmony through understanding, and secure a profitable farm legacy. Elaine is traveling from her home farm in Manitoba, Canada to speak with us! She will share a special keynote about Living an Intentional Life, will teach a breakout session to help tackle tough family conversations, and will have Coach on Call individual sessions available throughout the day. Every participant will also receive two of Elaine’s books in electronic format and a hard copy of Elaine’s book, “Farming’s In-Law Factor.” You can learn more about Elaine Froese at elainefroese.com.

“This conference connects women of all ages to not only each other but also to meaningful informational resources for their journey in agriculture.” Kelsie Mannasmith, Ohio State student said, “Through Elaine Froese and other guest presenters the 10th anniversary will help women continue, or even begin their paths in agriculture.”

Registration information can be found at go.osu.edu/eowiareg25  and you can learn about sponsorship opportunities at go.osu.edu/eowiasponsor25

 

 

OSU Extension Small Farm Conference to be held – at Ohio State University Wooster Shisler Center Wooster, Ohio

Ohio State Extension announced plans to host a Small Farm Conference in Wooster, OH on March 8th. The theme for this year’s Small Farm Conference is “Sowing Seeds for Success.”

Conference session topics are geared to beginning and small farm owners as well as to farms looking to diversify their operation. There will be five different conference tracks including: Horticulture and Crop Production, Business Management, Livestock, Natural Resources and Diversifying Your Enterprise. Click here for complete registration and program detail

Some conference topic highlights include: Growing in a Hoophouse, Integrated Disease Management Strategies for Apple and Peaches, High Tunnel Tour, Using Cover Crops for Soil Regeneration, Creating Habitat for Beneficial Insects on the Farm, Growing Microgreens, Money to Grow: Grants 101, Growing Your Farm With Agritourism, Navigating Licenses/Certificates for your Small Farm Market, How Can Value – Added Help Your Farm, Vaccination Programs for a Small Farm, Grassfed Beef Tour.

Anyone interested in developing, growing or diversifying their small farm is invited to attend including market gardeners, farmers market vendors, and anyone interested in small farm living.

Attendees will have the opportunity to browse a trade show featuring the newest and most innovative ideas and services for their farming operation. The conference provides an opportunity to talk with the vendors and network with others. The full conference registration fee is $100 which includes access to all presentations, trade show and lunch.

The Conference will take place on March 8th from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Ohio State University Wooster Campus Shisler Conference Center, 1680 Madison Ave, Wooster, Ohio 44691.

For conference and registration information call OSU Extension Morrow County 419-947-1070, or OSU Extension Knox County 740-397-0401. Please follow this link to register for the conference: https://go.osu.edu/2025smallfarmconference

 

 

 

February Ag Outlook and Policy Meetings

We are firmly in the middle of meeting season with plenty of opportunities to learn more coming up in February. The Regional Agricultural Outlook and Policy Meetings hosted by Ohio State University Extension continues to roll with 3 more offerings left.

Each meeting brings together specialists from OSU’s Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics, OSU Extension, and invited guests to present on their expertise. Programs will cover a wide variety of topics like inputs outlook, weather outlook, grain marketing, dairy and beef outlook, farm business analysis, and energy outlook. The agenda will differ for each meeting so be sure to check with the county on what topics they will be covering.

The final programs are hosted by Allen County, Mercer County, and a joint meeting hosted by Union, Madison, and Champaign Counties. If you are from a host county or a neighboring county be sure to check below for more information on the program nearest you.

Feb. 11, Allen County: Youth Activities Building on the Allen County Fairgrounds. 2750 Harding Hwy, Lima, Ohio from 9 am – 3 pm. Register by Feb 4th: Call the Allen County office at 419-879-9108.

Feb. 21, Union, Madison, and Champaign Counties: Champaign County Community Center Auditorium, 1512 South US Hwy 68, Urbana, OH 43078 from 8:30 am- 12:00 pm. Register by Feb. 12th: Visit go.osu.edu/TriCountyOutlook.

Feb. 28, Mercer County: Mercer County Agricultural Center 4978 Mud Pike Road Celina, Ohio 45822 from 9 am – 1 pm. Attendance is limited to 40 attendees. Register by Feb. 21st: Visit go.osu.edu/merceragoutlook.

Farm Office Live Webinar to be held on January 17 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

OSU Extension will be offering a Farm Office Live webinar on Friday, January 17 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Farm Office Live is a monthly webinar of updates and outlooks on legal, economic, and farm management issues that affect Ohio agriculture. Topics which will be addressed during the January webinar include:

  • Legislative Round-Up
  • Farm Bill and American Relief Act of 2025
  • Farm Business Analysis Program Update
  • Long Term Care Update
  • Quarterly Fertilizer Update
  • Crop Input Outlook
  • Livestock Outlook
  • 1099 Reminders
  • Winter Program Update

Featured speakers include Peggy Hall, David Marrison, Robert Moore, Eric Richer, Garth Ruff, Clint Schroeder and Barry Ward.

Register for this and future Farm Office Live webinars through this link on farmoffice.osu.edu.

Past recordings and additional information about the Farm Office Live Webinars can be accessed at:

https://farmoffice.osu.edu/farmofficelive

 

Overview of Ag Outlook and Policy Meeting Offered in 2025

To start off the new year Ohio State University Extension will be offering Regional Agricultural Outlook and Policy Meetings across the state. There will be six meetings held from January through February, which will address topics of interest on state and national levels.

Economists from the Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics (AEDE), Extension specialists, and invited guests will present on their expertise. Programs will include presentations covering topics like inputs outlook, weather outlook, grain marketing, dairy and beef outlook, farm business analysis, and energy outlook. The agenda will differ for each meeting so be sure to check with the county on what topics they will be covering.

The outlook meetings are hosted by Wayne County, Defiance County, Allen County, Mercer County, Pickaway County, and a joint meeting is hosted by Union, Madison, and Champaign Counties.

Jan. 7, Wayne County: Secrest Welcome and Education Center 1680 Madison Ave. Wooster, Ohio from 9 am – 3 pm. Registration: RSVP by January 3rd. Call the Wayne County office at 330-264-8722. Click here to access program flyer.

Jan. 21, Defiance County: Jewell Community Center 7900 Independence Road Defiance, Ohio from 5:30-8:30 pm. Registration: RSVP by January 10th. Visit go.osu.edu/25defianceoutlook or call the Defiance County office at 419-782-4771.

Feb. 11, Allen County: Youth Activities Building on the Allen County Fairgrounds. 2750 Harding Hwy, Lima, Ohio from 9 am – 3 pm. Registration: Call the Allen County office at 419-879-9108.

Feb. 21, Union, Madison, and Champaign Counties: Champaign County Community Center Auditorium, 1512 South US Hwy 68, Urbana, OH 43078 from 8:30 am- 12:00 pm. Registration: Visit go.osu.edu/TriCountyOutlook.

Feb. 28, Mercer County: Mercer County Agricultural Center 4978 Mud Pike Road Celina, Ohio 45822 from 9 am – 1 pm. Registration: Visit go.osu.edu/merceragoutlook.

Feb. 28, Pickaway County: Rhoadhouse 56, 1051 SR 56E Circleville Ohio 43113 from 5:30 pm- 9:00 pm. Registration: Call the Pickaway County office at 740-474-7534.

 

 Economic Relief Available from USDA for Producers Impacted by 2024 Drought

By: David Marrison, OSU Extension Field Specialist – Farm Management

Click here for PDF of article

Note: this is an updated version of an article published on October 10, 2024.

Drought conditions started in Ohio in mid-June and intensified throughout the summer until some relief was provided by rain showers at the end of September and first few days of October. Then drier conditions returned. The economic consequences of this summer’s drought will linger for quite some time.

Economic relief is available through various USDA assistance programs following a natural disaster declaration. The Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued 7 natural disaster designations (August 30, September 3, 18 & 23, and October 2, 8 & 15) which designated 49 counties as primary disaster counties with an additional 17 counties classified as contiguous. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, these counties suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of 1) D2 Drought-Severe for eight or more consecutive weeks or 2) D3 Drought-Extreme or D4 Drought-Exceptional. The following are the counties which have been designated as of October 15 (note that other counties in far northwest Ohio may be added later this month.

Primary Counties:  Adams, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Butler, Carroll, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Coshocton, Defiance, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Gallia, Guernsey, Greene, Hamilton, Harrison, Henry, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Licking, Logan, Lucas, Madison, Meigs, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Tuscarawas, Union, Vinton, Warren, Washington and Williams counties

Contiguous Counties:  Auglaize, Columbiana, Darke, Hancock, Hardin, Holmes, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Ottawa, Paulding, Preble, Putnam, Scioto, Shelby, Stark and Wood counties.

These designations allow the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to farm operators in primary counties and contiguous counties through FSA emergency loan assistance. The USDA FSA uses the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) map to determine a producer’s eligibility by county for certain drought assistance programs, like the Livestock Forage Program (LFP), Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm Raised Fish Program (ELAP) and the Emergency Haying and Grazing on CRP acres. These programs are available to both new and existing users of FSA services. Please note that each program has eligibility requirements and payment limitations.

Below are short descriptions for each of the drought assistance programs:

Emergency Loan Program: This program provides emergency loan assistance to farm operators. These loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. For production loss loans, the producer must have a disaster yield that is below the normal production yield of the crop, as determined by the Agency, that comprises a basic part of an applicant’s total farming operation.  Quality losses are determined by comparing the average market price for the commodity at the grade the applicant would have normally sold the product, with the average price of the grade at actual sale.  Producers can borrow up to 100 percent of actual production or physical losses to a maximum amount of $500,000.  The deadline for producers in designated primary and contiguous counties to apply for loans is between April 21 to June 16, 2025, depending on the county. Complete details about ELP can be found at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/informational/fact-sheets/emergency-loan-program-2024pdf

Disaster Set-Aside Program (DSA): This program allows FSA borrowers to set aside of one payment due to qualified disaster. Each payment set-aside must be repaid prior to the final maturity of the note. Any principal set-aside will continue to accrue interest until it is repaid. The borrower must be current or not more than 90 days past due on any FSA loan when the application is completed. Borrowers have 8 months from date of the disaster designation to apply. More details about the DSA program can be found at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/informational/fact-sheets/disaster-set-aside-program-2024pdf

Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP): This program provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops that have lower yields or crop losses due to natural disasters such as drought. Eligible crops must be commercially produced agricultural commodities for which crop insurance is not available. Such crops include (but are not limited to): crops grown for food; crops planted and grown for livestock consumption, such as grain and forage crops; specialty crops, such as honey and maple sap; value loss crops, such as aquaculture, Christmas trees, and ornamental nursery and turf-grass sod. Eligible producers must have purchased NAP coverage for the current crop year. NAP payments are limited to $125,000 per crop year, per individual or entity for crops with basic coverage. Any NAP payments received with additional (buy-up) coverage is to $300,000. More information about NAP can be found at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/informational/fact-sheets/noninsured-crop-disaster-assistance-program-nap

Tree Assistance Program (TAP): This program provides financial assistance to qualifying orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes, and vines damaged by natural disasters such as drought. To be eligible, at least a 15 percent mortality loss, after normal mortality, must be determined due to a natural disaster. Payment is the lessor of either 65% of the actual cost of replanting or the maximum eligible amount established by FSA. Replacement of eligible trees, bushes and vines must be made within 12 months. More information about TAP can be found at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/informational/fact-sheets/tree-assistance-program-tap

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Haying and Grazing: The Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs (DAFP) is authorizing emergency haying and grazing authority in all counties throughout the state that are not otherwise eligible for emergency haying and grazing in accordance with 2-CRP paragraph 681. Through this authority CRP participants (except CREP) may donate emergency haying and grazing rights to livestock producers affected by severe drought (D2 or greater on the U.S. Drought Monitor) through March 15, 2025. This allows the affected livestock producer to have access to feed sources from areas less impacted by drought conditions that are limited because of an active CRP contract to emergency hay and graze acres.

To ensure emergency haying and grazing is only being utilized by those producers whose livestock operations were adversely impacted by severe drought (D2 or greater on the U.S. Drought Monitor), livestock producers must file a CCC-576 (Notice of Loss) or provide a written certification documenting the impact to their operation.

To summarize, emergency haying and grazing can be utilized in any Ohio county, regardless of the county’s Drought Monitor status. However, emergency haying and grazing can only be used by an eligible farmer affected by severe drought (D2 or greater on the U.S. Drought Monitor).

CREP- Both CREP agreements prohibit haying or grazing activities that would normally be available on CRP acreage in circumstances like the present. Unfortunately, as a result, emergency haying and grazing is not available on CREP acreage.

SAFE-With concurrence from Ohio SAFE partners, DAFP has agreed to waive emergency haying and grazing restrictions set forth in all Ohio SAFE projects for this specific drought event and authorizes CRP participants to donate emergency haying and grazing rights to livestock producers whose farming operation is affected by severe drought (D2 or greater on the U.S. Drought Monitor) on a one-time basis.

For more information about the emergency haying and grazing, producers should contact their FSA County office for additional requirements and details.

Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP): This program provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses due to drought on land that is native or improved pastureland with permanent vegetative cover or that is reported on the FSA-578 with initial intended use of grazing. This program looks at acreage and intended use directly from the producer certified FSA-578 form. This program also provides compensation for eligible livestock. Eligible livestock must be animals that receive the majority of their net energy requirement of nutrition via grazing. Covered livestock include beef cattle, dairy cattle, deer, equine, goats, llamas, and sheep. The 2018 Farm Bill established a maximum annual per person and legal entity payment limitation for LFP of $125,000. More details about the LFP program can be found at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/informational/fact-sheets/livestock-forage-disaster-program-lfp

Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP):  This program benefits to livestock owners or contract growers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather. Note that drought is not an eligible adverse weather event except when death loss is associated with anthrax which occurs because of the drought. In addition, Mycoplasma Bovis is an eligible loss during drought for bison. Payment levels are based on national payment rates that are 75% of the market value of applicable livestock. Cattle, poultry, swine and other livestock are covered. More information about LIP can be obtained at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/informational/fact-sheets/livestock-indemnity-program-lip

Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP): This program provides emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees, and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease, or adverse weather not covered by the Livestock Forage Disaster Program and the Livestock Indemnity Program. Assistance is provided for losses resulting from the cost of transporting water to livestock and hauling livestock to forage or other grazing acres due to a qualifying drought. For commercial bee producers, ELAP provides for additional feed purchased to sustain honeybees during drought conditions when natural feed is not available. ELAP also assists farm-raised fish operations for excess mortality and excessive feed requirements due to eligible weather conditions.  Learn more about each facet of the ELAP program at:  https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/emergency-assist-for-livestock-honey-bees-fish

Emergency Conservation Program (ECP): This program provides funding and technical assistance for farmers and ranchers to restore farmland damaged by natural disasters and for emergency water conservation measures in severe droughts. Specific assistance can be sought for providing emergency water during periods of severe drought to grazing and confined livestock or through existing irrigation systems for orchards and vineyards. Additional details about ECP program can be found at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/informational/fact-sheets/emergency-conservation-program-ecp

Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool: FSA has developed an on-line disaster assistance discover tool which allows producers to learn the USDA assistance programs which might fit their operation due to this year’s drought. This easy-to-use tool can be accessed at: https://www.farmers.gov/protection-recovery/disaster-tool

Take Action and Report: Producers are encouraged visit their local Farm Service Agency office to report crop and livestock losses. By providing this data, producers can learn their eligibility for the FSA disaster programs. Additionally, this data can serve as a catalyst for potential ad hoc disaster relief programs for crops and livestock which are not covered by an existing program.

More information on FSA Programs: Producers are encouraged to contact their local Farm Service Agency office to explore program which they may be eligible. Producers can locate their local office at: www.fsa.usda.gov/oh