Financial Management

Seeking More Farmland – Feels Like Mission Impossible

By:   Wm. Bruce Clevenger, Field Specialist, Farm Management ( clevenger.10@osu.edu) and Amanda Douridas, Extension Educator, ANR, Madison County (douridas.9@osu.edu)

How did that farmer pick up that ground to farm next year? This may be a question you’ve found yourself asking and feel like an opportunity has been missed. Farmland operators can change in a very public space (i.e. auctions) or in private settings with only a few parties involved. It is common for farmers to want to add more acres to the farming operation, making it a competitive and stressful part of farming. More acres can help lower some fixed costs (i.e. machinery, etc) per acre.  However, adding more acres may increase land cost per acre if the current farmland is owned or rented at a lower rate compared to the price of the next rentable/ownable acre.

Farmland is the asset that may feel out-of-reach if not currently renting, crop-sharing, or owning the property. Here are some strategies to position a farm manager to be at the right place at the right time.

Have a Farm Resume: The farm manager can use a short, 2–4-page document to share important information about the skills, resources, and abilities to be the preferred farm operator of choice. A farm resume describes the people, experience, mission/vision, and a tactical approach to how the farm does business. It can be shared during or following a conversation with farmland owners that leaves them with contact information and a summary of key information. Consider adding more acres to a farm operation as seeking a new job with a potential new boss. A farm resume can support how a farmer presents themselves in-person and on paper.

Some key pieces of information to include:

  • Farm Name
  • Key operator name(s) and contact info
  • Farm mission and vision
  • Farm history and experience- keep this focused on making your farm standout
  • Certifications
  • Examples of how the farm cares for the land- responsible fertilizer use, sustainability practices, etc
  • What the farm can offer beyond farming as a goodwill gesture, if applicable- think snow removal, tree trimming, etc

Consider including with the resume letters of recommendation from current landowners the farm is working with. Two of these from landowners in the same area of the land you are seeking could provide strong support in choosing your farm.

Know your Financial Position: Adding more farmland is a serious financial commitment. Adding more acres can be a pathway to success or equally, failure. New acres must fit into the farms budget and/or long-term goals.  All conversations about adding acres will eventually lead to a bid for rent or purchase.  The farm manager must know the range of price that will work for the farm and know what price is too high and will only cause a financial burden. Consider crop-share arrangements if the landowner is willing to spread the risk between the parties. A farm manager must have an accurate balance sheet and farm income statement ready to go to a lender with short notice if the negotiations are about land purchase or a need for an operating loan.  Landowners want to know that they will be paid according to the terms of a lease or purchase. There is no sense in having a conversation with a farmland owner about adding more acres if the farmer does not know their own financial position.

Get Connected to Land Professionals: Ohio has many professionals that assist farmland owners in sales and leases. A farm manager might consider contacting a realtor and let them know their interest in leasing or owning farmland across a geographical area. Another group of professionals are members of the Ohio Chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. Building a relationship with a land professional can help stay connected to opportunities that might be within or beyond the local neighborhood of farmland owners. Some professional farm managers have an application process, and they keep those applications in a file along with other documents to have on hand as land becomes available. So even if you do not know of land coming available, it is good practice to reach out now and start building that relationship with the professional farm manager or realtor. They may want to meet in person, see your operation and gather other information to better understand how you farm.

Adding more acres to the farm operation may feel like mission impossible. Being prepared for foreseeable or unexpected opportunities can position a farmer for success.

Resources:

Designing a Farm Resume – University of Missouri:

https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/Pub/pdf/agguides/agecon/g00420.pdf

Building Your Farm Resume – Iowa State University:

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/wholefarm/pdf/c2-13.pdf

The Basics of a Farm Balance Sheet – Ohio State University Extension

https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-64

Ohio Chapter of American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.

https://www.asfmra.org/ohiochapterofasfmra/home

 

Farm Office Live Webinar Slated for December 12 at 10:00 a.m.

OSU Extension invites farmers and agribusiness personnel to participate in the December’s Farm Office Live webinar on Friday, December 12 at 10 a.m.  The agenda includes  guests:  Joshua Strine with Purdue’s Center for Commercial Agriculture, who will explain Purdue’s web-based Crop Basis Tool that provides access to corn and soybean basis data for local market regions in the eastern corn belt, Dr. Seungki Lee who will explain Ohio grain basis, and Dr. Robert Mullen with Heritage Cooperative, who’ll share his knowledge of fertilizer market information and prices.  The Farm Office’s Peggy Hall and Barry Ward  will also cover legislative and tax updates, and the Farm Office team will overview upcoming winter programs you won’t want to miss.

The December Farm Office Live line up:

  • Purdue’s Crop Basis Tool with Joshua Strine of Purdue’s Center for Commercial Agriculture.
  • Examining Ohio’s Grain Basis– from Seungki Lee of OSU’s Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics
  • Legislative Update from Peggy Hall of OSU’s Agricultural & Resource Law Program.
  • Fertilizer Market Info and Historical Fertilizer Prices with Robert Mullen, Vice President of Agricultural Technology for Heritage Cooperative.
  • Year End Tax Update from Barry Ward, OSU Income Tax Schools.
  • Winter Programs and Classes – Highlighting information on the Farm Office team’s Basics of Grain Marketing course, Planning for the Future of Your Farm Workshops, Food Business Central course, Organic Grains Conference, and Farm On course.

If you’re not already registered for Farm Office Live, follow this link to register for the webinar series:  go.osu.edu/farmofficelive.  Use the same link to accessreplays of all of our Farm Office Live webinars.

Northeast Ohio Small Farm Financial College scheduled for January 2026

The Trumbull and Ashtabula County offices of the Ohio State University Extension announce plan to hold classes designed to help Small Farms learn business basics.  Scheduled for January 10th and 17th, 2026, this two-part class series entitled Small Farm Financial College will provide landowners with the tools they need to plan their farm-based business.

Small and beginning farmers in Ohio and Pennsylvania are encouraged to participate in this in-depth farm management educational program. The college will consist of two Saturday courses that will run from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM and lunch will be included with registration.

This course will offer 10 hours of farm management education that will help start your farm on the path to financial success. The college is designed to help landowners examine potential ways to increase profits on their small acreage properties. The program is open to all new or aspiring farmers, new rural landowners, small farmers, and farm families looking for new ideas.

During this college, participants will be challenged to develop realistic expectations for their new farm business. They will receive information on getting started, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of their property, and developing a farm business plan. Information on farm finances, insurance, liability, labor and marketing will be covered during the college.

Registration is $50 for the first farm member. Additional farm family members are encouraged to attend at a reduced rate of $25/person. This reduced rate is made possible by generous contributions from the Hertzer Family Trust, Kacerski Tax & Business Services, and the Risser Farm Management Fund.

Click here for the program flyer

This program also qualifies attendees for the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program. Those interested in receiving this credit would be subject to additional requirements and fees (More information is available later in this release and online). Those interested in participating in this college or those seeking more information are encouraged to check out our website at: go.osu.edu/smallfarms26

For more information contact Lee Beers at beers.66@osu.edu or call 330-638-6783.

 

2026 Ohio State Organic Grains Conference -Early Bird Discount Ends Dec 5th

The fourth annual Ohio State Organic Grains Conference will be January 7-8, 2026 at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Sandusky, Ohio. The conference offers programming for experienced organic growers, growers transitioning to or considering organic, and consultants or educators who support these growers.

According to conference director Eric Richer, the conference is designed to be farmer-focused with a heavy emphasis on farm management and agronomy for commercial organic grain farms in the Eastern Corn Belt. Richer, a field specialist in Ohio State Extension’s Farm Office, appreciates organic production as a value-added option for grain growers in Ohio. He says this event helps farmers share practical experience with other organic growers and learn about new ways to manage weeds and markets—both through educational sessions and a targeted trade show.

“We continue to be excited about the number of vendors who participate in the conference from multiple states,” says Richer. “We’ve had strong support from organic grain buyers and equipment dealers in particular. The networking among these vendors and farmers at our conference enables organic farmers to better plan for the coming year and seek new ways to be profitable.”

Keynote farmer speaker for 2026 is Willie Hughes of W. Hughes Farm in Janesville, Wisc. They have been growing certified organic grain since 1991, and currently raise a large variety of non-GMO and organic crops, ranging from grains and oilseed to seed production and produce. Hughes will speak about his farm’s organic journey and present an additional session on incorporating specialty crops into their operation.

Dr. Matt Ryan from Cornell University will be this year’s keynote researcher. Ryan conducts research on agroecology and sustainable cropping systems, working with farmers, extension educators, researchers, and others to develop solutions for agricultural problems. He is focused on replacing and reducing external inputs with ecological processes. His presentation will cover mechanical, electrical, and no-till systems to manage weeds.

Nate Powell-Palm from Powell Palm Ag Services, LLC, will be the featured consultant for 2026. He operates a livestock cattle and crop farm in Bozeman, Mont. and is active with the Organic Trade Association.

The conference is also very excited to feature Dr. Aaron Wilson, Ohio State Extension’s weather and climate field specialist. Wilson is an excellent communicator who has helped many farmers understand the science behind shifting climate and weather patterns, and how it impacts farm decisions. He will be linking these topics to the unique challenges and timing of organic production.

Additional farmers, researchers, and educators from Ohio and beyond will round out two full days of agronomic and farm management sessions. Topics for this year include weed control, diversifying with livestock or specialty crops, legal issues, agronomic sampling, and organic policy and markets.

New to the conference in 2026 is a research poster session. Conference organizers are also working with host site Kalahari to incorporate even more organic items into the event menu.

The conference is presented by Ohio State University Extension’s Farm Office and Ohio State’s Organic Food & Farming Education and Research (OFFER) program. The event is also informed by a planning committee of land grant university employees and organic farmers from Ohio and surrounding states.

One of the Ohio farmer planning committee members is Bridget Burgess, current president of the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association’s Organic Grain Growers Chapter; and head of seed cleaning, compost operations, and sales at Hirzel Farms, in Luckey, Ohio.

“The conference is a good mix: a good mix of information, a good mix of ages, of crops grown, of soil health and other experts,” says Burgess. “It’s a great opportunity for newcomers or people who are thinking of transitioning to get first-hand advice and experience from a long-time group of organic growers. Also, for those long-time growers, it’s great to get suggestions and general experience with equipment from other growers and from researchers.”

Pre-registration is $140 per person through December 5, and $175 from December 6 through December 26. Attendees can also pay at the door for an additional fee. Continuing education credits will be available for Certified Crop Advisors. For more information, visit go.osu.edu/OrganicGrains.

Coffee and Grain Marketing Updated Slated for November 21 at 7:30 a.m.

OSU Extension invites grain producers and industry personnel to attend the quarterly grain market conversation with Dr. Seungki Lee, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics (AEDE) on Friday, November 21 from 7:30 – 8:00 a.m.

During this Zoom webinar, Dr. Lee will provide his insights on the November 2025 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) Crop Report scheduled for release  on November 14. This early morning webinar will be a great way for Ohio farmers to learn more about the factors impacting the corn, soybean, and wheat markets. Producers are encouraged to bring their questions to this early morning conversation.

Click here for program flyer

There is no fee to attend this quarterly webinar session. Pre-registration can be made at go.osu.edu/coffeewithDrLee

These webinars are sponsored by: OSU Extension, Farm Financial Management & Policy Institute (FFMPI), and Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics (AEDE).

2025 Fourth Quarter Fertilizer Prices Across Ohio

Authors: Amanda Bennett, Eric Richer, Clint Schroeder, OSU Extension

Click here for PDF version of this article

The 2025 fourth quarter results from a survey of Ohio fertilizer retailers showed prices in Ohio were somewhat varied when compared to the national averages reported by Progressive Farmer – DTN (Quinn, October 2025). The survey was completed by 32 retailers, representing 19 counties, who do business in the
state of Ohio. Respondents were asked to quote spot prices as of the first day of the quarter (October 1st) based on sale type.

The survey found that the average prices of fertilizers were lower in Ohio compared to the national prices for all major fertilizers except NH3 (Anhydrous Ammonia), DAP, Urea and MAP. Only one was significantly lower (more than 5%) than the national average prices; UAN at 14% less than the national average. The national average price for DAP and MAP was nearly the same as in Ohio.

When compared to prices from last quarter’s Ohio survey, several fertilizers were down in Q4. Several were down significantly (more than 5%): UAN (9.9%), Urea (6.3%), AMS (23.3%) and ATS (17.4%). MAP and DAP both increased significantly by 6.5% and 9.3% respectively.

When compared to Quarter 4 of 2024 average Ohio prices, the 2025 Q4 data average Ohio prices were significantly higher for all fertilizers measured in the survey. UAN28 and DAP both saw the most significant increases over 2024 prices in the same quarter, coming in at changes of 26% and 22% respectively. Urea, MAP, potash and AMS all came in at more than a 12% increase over the same 2024 period.

The chart below (Table 1.) is the summary of the survey responses. The responses (n) are the number of survey responses for each product. The minimum and maximum values reflect the minimum and maximum values reported in the survey. The average is the simple average of all survey responses for each product rounded to the nearest dollar. We recognize that many factors influence a company’s spot price for fertilizer including but not limited to availability, geography, volume, cost of freight, competition, regulation, etc.

Table 1. Fourth Quarter 2025 Ohio Fertilizer Prices

 

Product Responses (n) Sale Type Min

$/ton

 Max

$/ton

 Avg

$/ton
NH3 5 FOB Plant 685 890 802
UAN 28-0-0 19 Direct to Farm 330 455 367
Urea 46-0-0 13 FOB Plant 590 685 627
MAP 11-52-0 16 FOB Plant 849 955 926
DAP18-46-0 8 FOB Plant 850 970 911
APP 10-34-0 9 Direct to Farm 600 700 653
Potash 0-0-60 23 FOB Plant 399 510 477
Ammonium Sulfate 21-0-0-24 (AMS) 19 FOB Plant 450 590 492
Ammonium Thio-Sulfate 12-0-0-26 (ATS) 9 FOB Plant 355 440 395
Poultry Litter 9 Delivered and applied, < 25 miles 50 67 57
Farm Diesel (ie. off-road diesel) 5 Direct to Farm, $/gallon 2.45 3.05 2.80

If you are a retailer interested in participating in this study, please contact Amanda Bennett at bennett.709@osu.edu.

Previous versions of the report can be accessed at: https://farmoffice.osu.edu/farm-management/quarterly-fertilizer-price-summary

Thank you to the following Extension Contributors: TJ Wells and Dean Kreager, OSU Extension ANR Educators

References

Quinn, R. 2025. DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends. DTN Progressive Farmer. Accessed online October 7,2025 at https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/crops/article/2025/10/01/dap-leads-fertilizer-prices-higher

Bennett, A., Richer, E., & Schroeder, C, (2025). 2025 Third Quarter Fertilizer Prices Across Ohio. Farm Office Blog. https://farmoffice.osu.edu/farm-management/quarterly-fertilizer-price-summary

Bennett, A., Richer, E., & Schroeder, C, (2024). 2024 Fourth Quarter Fertilizer Prices Across Ohio. Farm Office Blog. https://farmoffice.osu.edu/farm-management/quarterly-fertilizer-price-summary

Planning for the Future of Your Farm Online Farm Transition and Estate Course Now Available

OSU Extension is pleased to announce that a new online self-paced course titled “Planning for the Future of Your Farm” is now available through OSU’s Professional and Continuing Education platform. This course is designed to help farm families navigate the complex process of farm transition and estate planning.

Using OSU Extension’s structured five-phase approach, participants explore strategies for transferring ownership, management, and assets to the next generation. The course emphasizes effective family communication, legal and financial planning tools, and proactive decision-making.

Whether your farm is large or small, this course provides the guidance that will help you to create a customized transition plan that reflects your family’s goals and values. Families are encouraged to participate together to develop a shared vision for the future.

Specifics of the Course

This course is organized into the following four modules:

  • Introduction to the Course
  • Farm Transition Planning
  • Legal Tools for Farm Transition Planning
  • Farm Transition Strategies

The course is available fully online with no scheduled class sessions or fixed due dates. Coursework can start at any time and be completed independently within the timeframe designated. Online modules include readings, lecture videos, assignments, quizzes, and more. In this course, participants will:

  • Apply the OSU Extension Farm Transition Planning Approach across the Discovery, Dream, Dialogue, Design, and Destiny phases
  • Evaluate the legacy, structure, and future goals of the farm business using reflection and strategic planning tools
  • Facilitate effective family communication and establish practices for family business meetings
  • Design and implement a transition plan including managerial succession, contingency planning, and asset distribution
  • Identify and apply legal tools such as powers of attorney, wills, trusts, and probate-avoidance tools
  • Assess risks to keeping farmland in the family and maintaining a viable farm operation
  • Evaluate estate planning strategies to minimize tax liabilities and protect farm assets
  • Conduct long-term care risk assessments and explore strategies to protect farm and family assets

Instructors

The instructors for this course are David Marrison, OSU Extension Field Specialist in Farm Management and Robert Moore, Attorney with the OSU Agricultural & Resource Law Program. Both are nationally recognized for their work in farm transition planning.

Cost and Registration

Full access to the course videos and materials is $149. Enrollment for this section of the course will closed on September 14, 2026 and enrolled participants will have until March 14, 2027 to complete the course.

Enroll in this course at go.osu.edu/MyFarmsFuture

Thank you

OSU Extension is thankful for the financial support which Ohio Corn and Wheat provided for the development of this course. Members of Ohio Corn and Wheat can receive an $100 enrollment discount code by contacting Ohio Corn and Wheat prior to enrolling.

 

2025 Southern Ohio Small Farm College to be held in Piketon

By Amanda Perkins, OSU Extension Educator – Pike County

OSU Extension invites small farm owners to attend the 2025 Southern Ohio Small Farm College this fall in Piketon, Ohio.

The Small Farm College is a 10-hour college designed to help landowners examine potential ways to increase profits from their small acreage properties. The program is open to all new or aspiring farmers, new rural landowners, small farmers and farm families looking for new ideas. During this college, participants will be challenged to develop realistic expectations for their new farm business. They will receive information about getting started, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of their property, and developing a farm business plan. Five sessions are planned:

  • Session I: October 15, 2025 – “Getting Started on Your New Farm Business”
  • Session II: October 22, 2025 – “You Can’t Measure What You Don’t Track” (Farm Recordkeeping, Budgets and Taxes.)
  • Session III: October 29, 2025 – “The Legal Side of Small Farm Management”
  • Session IV: November 5, 2025 – “Money, Money, Money! The Financial Side of Small Farm Management”
  • Session V: November 12, 2025 – “Small Farm Reality Simulation”

All sessions will be held from 6:30p m to  9:00 pm at OSU South Centers located at 1864 Shyville Rd, Piketon, OH 45661.

The cost to attend is $80 for the first family member; additional family members can attend at a reduced cost of $40 per person. Each family receives only one binder of resources.

Click here for a program brochure

Registration can be completed at go.osu.edu/southernohiosfc by October 10, 2025.

Additional information about this program can be obtained by contacting Amanda Perkins, Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources OSU Extension Pike County at perkins.715@osu.edu or by calling OSU Extension Pike County at 740-289-4837.

2026 Crop Insurance Decision – a cut and paste from last year or not?

By Clint Schroeder, Program Manager for Ohio Farm Business Analysis Program and Eric Richer, Field Specialist, Farm Management

Note: this article was originally published on the Farm Office Blog on September 16, 2025

With the projected price discovery period now closed for winter wheat Ohio farmers have until September 30, 2025, to select the crop insurance coverage that best suits their operation. However, the decision on policy type and coverage levels for 2026 crops could be impacted by the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Signed into law on July 4, 2025, OBBBA offers higher area-based policy coverage levels, increases premium support, and expands support for beginning farmers and ranchers. This article will highlight these key changes so that producers can make more informed decisions for 2026 production on their farm.

Previously, producers that wanted to purchase Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) as part of their policy were required to enroll those base acres in the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program. The OBBBA has decoupled SCO from the traditional Farm Bill decision allowing farmers to enroll in either the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or PLC program. Additionally, premium support, the subsidy for SCO has increased from 65% to 80%. In 2027 SCO coverage will also increase to 90%, up from the current 86% revenue benchmark. This band of coverage is currently available in the form of the Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO). ECO is currently available at two coverage levels, 86% to 90% and 90% to 95%. The premium support for these policies also increased to 80%. It is important to note that SCO and ECO provide coverage above the individuals’ underlying Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) policy but are based off of the county’s production for that year. That is to say, SCO and ECO do not provide additional protection at the unit level for each farm, field and crop.

Premium support across all Basic and Optional Units was also increased by 3 to 5 percentage points. While OBBBA did not specifically raise the premium support for Enterprise Units, the increased subsidy for Basic and Optional Units affects the calculation the Risk Management Agency (RMA) uses to set premium support levels for Enterprise Units. Table 1 outlines the premium support for each coverage level under prior legislation compared to current support under the OBBBA.

Table 1: Premium Subsidy Rates: Prior Legislation vs OBBBA
Prior Legislation OBBBA
Coverage Level Basic and Optional Units Enterprise Units Basic and Optional Units Enterprise Units
50% 67% 80% 67% 80%
55% 64% 80% 69% 80%
60% 64% 80% 69% 80%
65% 59% 80% 64% 80%
70% 59% 80% 64% 80%
75% 55% 77% 60% 80%
80% 48% 68% 51% 71%
85% 38% 53% 41% 56%

 

Beginning farmers will also receive an increased subsidy that is tiered based on their years of farming. A Beginning Farmer or Rancher (BFR) is now defined as an individual who has not actively operated and managed a farm or ranch in any state, with an insurable interest in a crop or livestock as an owner-operator, landlord, tenant, or sharecropper for more than 10 crop years. Under prior legislation BFRs received premium support of 10%. The OBBBA increases the subsidy amount to 15% for the first two years, 13% in year three, and 11% in year four. Years 5 through 10 will remain at the 10% additional premium support level.

Implications

The 2026 projected winter wheat price for Ohio is now set at $5.76 per bushel, down from $6.06 per bushel in 2025. The volatility factor for 2025 was .23 and decreased slightly to .20 in 2026. The 2026 MPCI wheat policies will use this price and volatility factor to determine producer premiums. SCO and/or ECO area-based policies can then be added as options, if desired. The corn and soybean projected prices will be determined from February 1-28, 2026 with an insurance signup deadline of March 15.  Farmers should consult with their crop insurance agent to receive a quote tailored to their crop, county, unit structure, and approved yield. In some instances, reducing individual coverage and purchasing SCO or ECO may provide additional risk protection at a lower cost.

References

https://www.rma.usda.gov/news-events/news/2025/washington-dc/usda-delivers-president-trumps-promise-put-american-farmers

https://www.rma.usda.gov/policy-procedure/bulletins-memos/managers-bulletin/mgr-25-006-one-big-beautiful-bill-act-amendment

 

 

 

Ask the Expert Sessions at the 2025 Farm Science Review

By: Josh Winters, OSU Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator, Jackson County and Wm. Bruce Clevenger, OSU Extension Field Specialist, Farm Management

Reliable and trusted advisers.  Farm managers need to seek out the best people and gather tailored information for their own farm operation.  Seldom does one answer fit all.   Agriculture is impacted by local, regional, and global forces that are often unforeseen leaving the farm manager with mixed messages. 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 2025 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, ag attorneys, forestry specialists, agronomists, animal scientists, and farm management specialists.

2025 Topics include:

Beginner and Small Farm Colleges, Cattle Markets, Global Trade, Ohio Farm Income, Weather Risk, Crop Inputs, Farmland Values/Rents, Tax Law, Farm Lease, Harvesting Timber, Solar Grazing research,  Labor Laws, Farm Legacy Planning, Ohio Quarterly Fertilizer Price Survey, Grain Markets, Farm Diversification with Specialty Crops, Network Building, Using Incentive Trusts in Farm Succession, and much more!

Returning for 2025!  Student spotlight hours on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.  Youth will learn about getting started in a farm business, beef economics, and career exploration in veterinary medicine.

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

https://fsr.osu.edu/

2025 Ask the Expert Schedule
Time Speaker Topic
9/16/2025
10:00 Trevor Corboy Student Spotlight Hour: Getting Started in a Farm Business – Beginner and Small Farm College
10:30 Garth Ruff Student Spotlight Hour: Beef-o-nomics: Understanding Cattle Markets
11:00 Seungki Lee, Margaret Jodlowski, Ian Sheldon; mod Amy Ando Economic Crosswinds: What’s Driving Your Bottom Line?
12:00 Dr. Ani Katchova Ohio Farm Income & Financial Conditions
12:30 Dr. Aaron Wilson Weather Risk & Resilience in 2025
1:00 Barry Ward Crop Inputs, Farmland Values/Rents, Tax Law – 2025 & Looking Ahead
1:30 Peggy Hall Farm Smarter: Farm Lease Lessons That Pay Off
2:00 Jim Downs Harvesting Timber – What You Need to Consider
2:30 Dr. Brady Campbell Harvesting Sun and Grass: New Insights into Solar Grazing
9/17/2025
10:00 Dr. Luciana Da Costa Student Spotlight Hour: Education Requirements for Veterinary Medicine
10:30 Dr. Luciana Da Costa Student Spotlight Hour: Careers in Veterinary Medicine
11:00 Jeff Lewis Know the Farm Labor Laws: Stay Legal, Safe, and Productive
11:30 David Marrison Beyond the Land: Preparing Leaders for the Next Generation of Farming
12:00 Amanda Bennett Ohio Quarterly Fertilizer Price Survey
12:30 Dr. Aaron Wilson Weather Risk & Resilience in 2025
1:00 Barry Ward Crop Inputs, Farmland Values/Rents, Tax Law – 2025 & Looking Ahead
1:30 Clint Schroeder Profit-Driven Farming: Navigating Financial Health in Ohio Agriculture
2:00 Dr. Seungki Lee Grain Market Crossroads: What’s Now, What’s Next
2:30 Dr. Logan Minter Farm Diversification: Specialty Crops to Strengthen your Bottom Line
9/18/2025
10:00 David Marrison Stepping Up or Stepping Aside: Readiness for Farm Succession
10:30 Marlene Eick How to Network Like a Pro
11:00 Robert Moore Using Incentive Trusts in Farm Succession: Cultivating Good Decisions
11:30 Christopher Dean LIVE! Field Data/Monitoring: Real-time from FSR Demo Plots to Ask The Expert Tent
12:00 Barry Ward Crop Inputs, Farmland Values/Rents, Tax Law – 2025 & Looking Ahead
12:30 Dr. Aaron Wilson Weather Risk & Resilience in 2025
1:00 Gigi Neal & Heather Neikirk A Decade of Outreach and Impact: Ohio Women in Agriculture Network
1:30 Dr. Laura Lindsey, Taylor Dill, Barry Ward Agronomy + Economics = Agronomics. What Should Come First?

 

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/