Upcoming Events

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).

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.

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/

 

 

Watch Farm Office Live Webinar – Live from the 2025 Farm Science Review on September 18

The sixth season of our Farm Office Live webinar will kick off at the Farm Science Review next Thursday, September 18, 2025.  Join us from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon for updates from the legal, tax, and farm management experts on OSU’s Farm Office team.

The topics which we will address live from the Farm Science Review will include:

  • Using Incentive Trusts in Farm Succession
  • Corn and Soybean Budget Outlook  – Including Input and Cash Rents  
  • Profit-Driven Farming: Navigating Financial Health in Ohio Agriculture 
  • Planning for the Future of Your Farm – New online course available 
  • Farm Smarter: Farm Leases that Pay Off
  • Highlights of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
  • Financial Recording Highlights – Quicken Workshops and Ag Lender Seminars, Importance of Financial Record Keeping going into 2026
  • Know the Farm Labor Laws: Stay Legal, Safe, and Productive

Featured speakers include  Farm Office Team members Bruce Clevenger, Peggy Hall, Jeff Lewis, David Marrison, Robert Moore, Clint Schroeder and Barry Ward.

Register for our Farm Office Live webinars, which will continue through next April, through this link on farmoffice.osu.edu.

All About Goats! Fall 2025 Webinar Series

by: Pressley Buurma, Ohio State University Extension in Seneca County, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

Are you interested in learning more about goat production? Join Ohio State University Extension Small Ruminant Team for the 2025 All About Goats! Webinar. This webinar series is going to answer producers burning questions concerning their own herd and help new producers become knowledgeable herdsman. Whether you raise goats for dairy, fiber or meat production or as pets- this webinar is for you! All youth livestock exhibitors are encouraged to attend.

The topics and dates for this series are as follows:

  • September 22- Goat Health and Care
  • October 6- Farm Business and Management
  • October 20- Goat Processing
  • November 3- Livestock Marketing
  • November 17- Hay and Grain Production
  • December 1- Coyote Management
  • December 15- Open Forum: Ask Me Anything

Click here for the “All About Goats! Fall 2025” Flyer

The webinar is hosted via Zoom from 7-8 p.m. EST. Registration is required and can be completed by visiting go.osu.edu/allaboutgoats25

If you have any questions, please contact Pressley at 419-447-9722 or buurma.20@osu.edu

Ohio Farmland Leasing Update

Join OSU Extension on August 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon for the “Ohio Farmland Leasing Update”  which will be held via Zoom webinar. Topics which will be discussed include:

  • Cash Rent Outlook–Survey Data and Key Issues Impacting Change
  • Legal Issues with Terminating a Farmland Lease
  • Drafting Farm Leases for Drainage Tile Improvements
  • Leasing the Pore Space Beneath Your Farmland
  • Farmland Leasing Resources

This webinar will be taught by Farm office team members Peggy Kirk Hall, Robert Moore, and Barry Ward.

There is no fee to attend this webinar, however registration is requested. Registration can be made at go.osu.edu/register4fol

Click here for a program flyer for this event.

The North American Manure Expo coming on July 30th and 31st in Wauseon, Ohio

The North American Manure Expo is coming to Wauseon Ohio on July 30th and 31st at the Fulton County Fairgrounds. This event was will showcase research, innovation and solutions found within manure management. The event brings manure haulers, applicators, brokers, nutrient management specialists, researchers, producers, manufacturers, custom operators and extension personnel together for two days of learning, networking and evaluation of new technology, research, equipment and opportunities. Over the two days we have tours, an industry trade show, live solid and liquid manure demonstrations and educational sessions.

The first morning of the Expo is dedicated to tours that showcase innovative manure solutions. Attendees can purchase tickets on-line or there may be room for walkups to one of the four tours:

Tour #1: Andre Farms & Stuckey Farms – visit one of Ohio’s largest Class II EPA composting facilities followed by a beef and grain operation that will showcase how they have gotten more out of compost through a variety of projects.

Tour #2: Bridgewater Dairy – see how this farm is leading the way in manure management and renewable energy. Tour guests will see their new methane digester, manure irrigation system and a manure pipeline, followed by hearing about their long-term approach to sustainability.

Tour #3: Precision manure irrigation – See the Rain360 irrigation system in action. Farmers and experts will cover the system’s real-world performance, economic benefits and environmental advantages.

Tour #4: Seiler Farms – This tour will showcase innovative water management practices including a two-stage ditch, a proven method for improving drainage, reducing nutrient runoff and enhancing water quality. See how they protect water resources while maintaining crop production.

Day one also includes manure pond agitation demonstrations with boats and sticks at a nearby dairy farm, manure separation demos, rapid manure transfer from tankers to frac tanks demonstrations, confined space safety training and the always popular pressurized hose release safety demonstration.

Day two of the Expo kicks off with 16 educational sessions in the morning. These are followed by both solid and liquid manure tanker and drag hose application demonstrations and a manure spill containment and stream water restoration demonstration.

Exhibitors will have booths in the trade show both days featuring new and manure innovative technology so you can visit and learn from these equipment makers. Puck will once again have their always-well-attended pump school.

Attendees can register online tor just show up. For the full schedule, information on the educational sessions, registration information and to purchase tour tickets, visit ManureExpo.com.