Legal Issues

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.

OSU Extension offering virtual Farm Transition and Estate Planning Course in February

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. Producers are encouraged to attend a four evening virtual “Planning for the Future of Your Farm” workshop on February 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2025 from 6:30 to 8:00 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 $99 per farm family.  Register by January 24, 2025 in order to receive course materials in time. Click here to register or go.osu.edu/successionregistration

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

Thank you! OSU Extension would like to thank Ohio Corn and Wheat for their generous sponsorship of these programs.

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 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

 

OSU Extension Assist Farm Families with Farm Transition and Estate Planning

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.

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 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2025 from 6:30 to 8:00 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 $99 per farm family.  Register by January 22, 2025 in order to receive course materials in time. Click here to register or go.osu.edu/successionregistration

In-person workshops.  Our local Extension Educators are hosting in-person workshops at five regional locations across Ohio during the upcoming winter.  Registration costs vary by. The in-person workshops will be held on

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

Thank you! OSU Extension would like to thank Ohio Corn and Wheat for their generous sponsorship of these programs.

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.