Upcoming Events

Planning for Future of Farm Workshop to be held in Cortland, Ohio

The OSU Extension offices in northeast Ohio invite you to participate in a Planning for the Future of Your Farm workshop on August 22, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Trumbull County Extension office in Cortland, Ohio. This workshop is designed to help farm families learn strategies and tools to successfully create a succession and estate plan that helps you transfer your farm’s ownership, management, and assets to the next generation. Learn how to have the crucial conversations about the future of your farm.

Click here for registration flyer

Workshop topics include: Developing Goals for Estate and Succession; Planning for the Transition of Control; Planning for the Unexpected; Communication and Conflict Management; Legal Tools and Strategies; Developing Your Team; Getting Your Affairs in Order; and Selecting an Attorney.

Our teaching team will help answer the following questions and much more!

  • Who should we leave the farm to?
  • How do we prepare the next generation to manage the farm in the future?
  • How can we overcome family communication issues?
  • How do we value sweat equity?
  • What is the difference between a will and trust?
  • Will I lose my farm to estate taxes or to the nursing home?
  • What do we need to do to be better prepared to meet with an attorney and other professionals?
  • What resources does OSU Extension have to assist us as we develop our plan?

Event sponsors include OSU Extension – Ashtabula, Trumbull & Geauga Counties, Farm Financial Management & Policy Institute and the Hertzer Family Trust. The featured speakers will be David Marrison (OSU Extension Field Specialist, Farm Management), Robert Moore (Attorney, OSU Agricultural and Resource Law Program) and Lee Beers (OSU Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resource)

The registration fee is $25 per person which includes lunch, refreshments, and course materials. Registration deadline is August 16, 2024. This program is made possible at a discounted rate due to the generous support from the Hertzer Family Trust.

More information can be obtained by contacting Lee Beers at the Trumbull County Extension office at 330-638-6738 or via email at beers.66@osu.edu.

Farm Office Live to be held on April 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

OSU Extension and the Farm Office Team is pleased to be offering the “Farm Office Live” webinar on Friday, April 19, 2024 from 10:00 to 12:00 noon

This month’s webinar will feature the following topics:

  • CAT Tax – Closing Accounts
  • Taxation of Equipment Trade-ins
  • 2024 Crop Input Outlook
  • OSU Fertilizer Survey Q2 Release
  • Dairy Margin Coverage Program
  • Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Update
  • Transferring Operating Assets
  • Beneficial Ownership Reporting Update
  • Trends in Farm Appraisals

Featured presenters will include: Jason Hartschuh (OSU Field Specialist- Dairy Management and Precision Livestock), Clint Schroeder (Program Manager – Farm Business Analysis), Robert Moore (OSU Ag and Resource Law Program), Amanda Bennett (OSU Extension Educator), Barry Ward and Jeff Lewis (OSU Income Tax School Program), and David Marrison and Eric Richer  (OSU Field Specialists -Farm Management) and special guest Tim Harpster.

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

go.osu.edu/farmofficelive

OSU Extension Farm Office Live to be held on Friday, March 15 from 10:00 to 12:00 noon

OSU Extension and the Farm Office Team is pleased to be offering the “Farm Office Live” webinar on Friday, March 15, 2024 from 10:00 to 12:00 noon

This month’s webinar will feature the following topics:

  • 2nd Marriages and Transition Planning
  • Legislative Update
  • New Rule for Independent Contractors
  • 2024 Crop Input Outlook
  • Industry Panel on WASDE and Strategies for the 2024 Grain Marketing Plan
  • Hot Topics
  • Upcoming Programs

Featured presenters will include: Robert Moore and Peggy Hall (OSU Ag and Resource Law Program), Barry Ward and Jeff Lewis (OSU Income Tax School Program), and Bruce Clevenger  (OSU Field Specialist -Farm Management).

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

go.osu.edu/farmofficelive

Ohio Farmland Leasing Update webinar is March 1

Northeast Ohio Small Farm Financial to be held in Cortland, Ohio on March 9 and 16

By: Lee Beers, Extension Educator – Trumbull County

Small and beginning farmers in NE Ohio are encouraged to participate in the new in-depth farm management educational program! The college will consist of two Saturday courses to be held on the March 9 and March 16, 2024. Both days will run from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM with lunch included. Both days will be held at the OSU Extension Trumbull County Office, located at 520 West Main St in Cortland, Ohio. 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.

The cost for the college is $100 per participant, with the option to bring an additional family/farm member for $50. 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 registering for this college, please access: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4HqwjHUs1yJGQx8

More information about the college can be obtained by calling the Trumbull County Extension office at 330-638-6783

 

 

 

 

OSU Extension Launches New Food Business Central Online Course

By Emily Marrison, Assistant Professor and Extension Educator- Family & Consumer Sciences in Coshocton County

Are you a baker ready to sell your home-baked goods? Are you a farmer looking for value-added opportunities for crops you’ve grown or livestock you’ve raised? Are you an entrepreneur aiming to use local agricultural products to make value-added foods? The new Food Business Central online course through Ohio State University Extension can equip you with knowledge and strategies to launch a successful farm-raised or home-based food business in Ohio.

Navigating food regulations, establishing a new business, and applying best practices for food safety can be challenges for food entrepreneurs. “Many people interested in starting a food business aren’t sure where to turn first,” says Emily Marrison, OSU Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Educator and course development team member. “This course is designed to serve as a centralized hub to connect participants to information and resources regarding all types of food products they might want to make and sell.”

OSU Extension experts will help you develop a Food Business Action Plan and learn what you need to start off organized, safe, compliant, and strategic. The self-paced course focuses on several food types including cottage foods and baked goods, canned foods, meat, poultry, eggs, and more. Throughout the course participants will consider key questions and develop action steps to take on their journey to start a food business. As food entrepreneurs complete the course, they will have the answers they need to complete a business plan with help from their local Small Business Development Center. The cost of the course is $25, and registration is at go.osu.edu/foodbusinesscentral .

The development of the Food Business Central online course has been funded through a grant from North Central Extension Risk Management Education. This assistance comes from the United States Department of Agriculture through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to develop resources that help farmers and ranchers effectively manage risk in their operations. Click here for informational flyer

OSU Extension Farm Office Live to be held on Friday, February 16 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

OSU Extension and the Farm Office Team is pleased to be offering the “Farm Office Live” webinar on Friday, February 16, 2024 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

This month’s webinar will feature the following topics:

  • Ag & Natural Resources State Update
  • Reporting for the Corporate Transparency Acy
  • 2024 Crop Input Outlook
  • OSU Extension’s New Food Business Central Course
  • Legislative Round-up
  • Spring Crop Insurance
  • Farm Bill Update – A Panel Discussion
  • Upcoming Programs

Featured presenters will include: Chris Zoller (OSU Extension Interim State ANR Leader), Robert Moore & Peggy Hall (OSU Ag and Resource Law Program), Barry Ward (OSU Income Tax School Director), David Marrison & Eric Richer (OSU Field Specialists -Farm Management), Emily Marrison (Assistant Professor and Family & Consumer Sciences Educator), Clint Schroeder (Program Manager – Ohio Farm Business Analysis Program) and Brandon Kern (Director of Public Affairs and Issues Analysis- Ohio Soybean Association)

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

OSU Extension to host Eastern – Ohio Small Farm Conference – April 6, 2024 at the Mid – East Career Technical Center Buffalo Campus, Senecaville, Ohio

By: Julie Wayman, Community Development Educator -OSU Extension Ashtabula County

Ohio State Extension announced plans to host a Small Farm Conference in Senecaville, Ohio on April 6, 2024. The theme for this year’s Mid-Ohio Small Farm Conference is “Sowing Seeds for Success.”

Click here to access 2024 Small Conference Brochure

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 Produce Production, Business Management, Livestock, Natural Resources and new this year The Farm Kitchen.  Some conference topic highlights include: Raising Meat Rabbits, Making Goat Milk Soap, Timber Harvesting and Marketing, Basics of Growing PawPaw’s, Food Preservation Basics, Herb Vinegars, Organic Pest Management, Growing Produce with Hydroponics, Starting and Setting up a business, Solar and Wind Leasing.

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 Conference will take place from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Mid – East Career Technical Center – Buffalo Campus located at 57090 Vocational Road Senecaville, Ohio 43780

The registration fee for this all day conference is $100 per person. 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/2024osusmallfarmconference

 

 

 

 

Regional Ag Outlook and Policy Meetings Set for 2024

By: Mike Estadt, OSU Extension estadt.3@osu.edu

Ohio State University Extension will present its 2024 Regional Agricultural Outlook and Policy Meetings starting in late January and continuing into February. OSU Extension is the outreach arm of Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, and the main sponsor of the meetings. Economists from the CFAES Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics, Extension specialists in tax policy, ag law and meteorology, along with other college specialists and invited guests, will serve as speakers.

Held throughout the state, the outlook meetings will address agricultural topics of interest not only in Ohio, but across the Corn Belt as well. Programs will include presentations on grain market outlook; the dairy industry; agricultural law updates; Ohio’s changing climate; energy outlook, international economic outlook, farm real estate values and cash rent trends; grain transportation infrastructure; agricultural input price projections; and federal tax updates. Bearish price projections, world conflicts and lower farm income projections make these program important as you plan for the year ahead. University experts and industry representatives will give the latest information on what to expect.  “Outlook meetings have useful take- aways that I have seen farm managers use directly for the upcoming season and planning for the future of the farm business.  Farmers are the CEOs of their farm and collecting unbiased information and putting it into action is essential for success”, according to Bruce Clevenger, Extension Farm Management Field specialist.

Here is a current list of Extension opportunities for ag policy, outlook and grain marketing topics. Check with the local contacts for more information regarding specific topics and times.

January 22, 2024- Friendly Hills Camp and Conference Center, Zanesville, Ohio.

Contact: Clifton Martin (martin.2422@osu.edu)

https://go.osu.edu/2024dinner

 

January 23, 2024- Jewell Community Center, Defiance , Ohio

Contact: Kyle Verhoff (Verhoff.115@osu.edu)

https://defiance.osu.edu/events/2024-farm-outlook-meeting

 

January 23, 2024- Napoli’s Pizza, Belpre, Ohio

Contact: Ed Brown (brown.6000@osu.edu)

https://go.osu.edu/SEcrops

 

January 25th, Plaza Inn, 491 S. Main St. Mt. Victory Ohio.

Contact Mark Badertscher (Badertscher.4@osu.edu)

https://hardin.osu.edu/sites/hardin/files/imce/Tillage%20Club%20Flyer%202024.pdf

 

January 30, 2024, 2022- Emmett Chapel, Circleville, Ohio.

Contact: Mike Estadt (estadt.3@osu.edu)

web: https://go.osu.edu/pickawayoutlook

 

February 6, 2024 Allen County Fairgrounds-Youth Activities Building.

Contact: Nic Baumer (baumer.15@osu.edu)

https://u.osu.edu/allenanr/upcoming-programs/ag-outlook-and-agronomy-day/

 

February 23, 2004- Der Dutchman Restaurant, Plain City, Ohio.

Contact: Wayne Dellinger (Dellinger.@osu.edu) web:

https://go.osu.edu/TriCountyOutlook

 

Farm Office Live Webinar to be held on January 19 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, January 19 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

This month’s webinar will feature the following topics:

  • Production and Accounting Goals
  • Ohio Farm Business Analysis and Benchmarking Program
  • Grain Marketing Update
  • Ohio Farm Resolution Services
  • Upcoming Programs
  • Solar Development in Ohio Panel Discussion

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