Upcoming Events

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

OSU Extension Offering Farm Transition and Estate Planning Workshops in March

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 one of three regional “Planning for the Future of Your Farm” workshops during March.  These workshop will challenge 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.

These workshops will be held in the following locations:

Wayne County – March 11 & 13, 2025

Location: Fisher Auditorium, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, Ohio 44691

Registration fee: $85 per couple and includes course materials, refreshments and dinner for two persons. Additional members can attend at $40/person.

Contact John Yost at the Wayne County Extension office at 330-264-8722 for more information.

Click here for registration flyer

Licking County – March 13 & 18, 2025

Location: Hartford Fairgrounds, Babcock Bldg, 14028 Fairgrounds Road, Croton, Ohio 43013

Registration fee: $25 per couple and includes course materials and refreshments for two persons. Additional members can attend at $15/person.

Contact the Licking County Extension office at 740-670-5313 for more information.

Click here for registration flyer

Morgan County – March 27 & April 3, 2025

Location: Riecker Building, 155 E Main Street, McConnelsville, Ohio 43756

Registration fee: $10 per couple and includes course materials, light meal and refreshments for two persons. Additional members can attend at $5/person.

Contact Jordan Penrose, Morgan County Extension at 740-962-4854 for more information

Click here for registration flyer

Program Details

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

Registration

Pre-registration is required. Click on the links for the registration flyer for each

March 11 & 13, 2025- Wayne County (6:00 to 9:00 p.m.)

March 13 & 18, 2025 – Licking County (6:00 to 9:00 p.m.)

March 27 & April 3, 2025- Morgan County (6:00 to 8:30 p.m.)

Thank you! 

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

More Information

More information can be found at: https://go.osu.edu/farmsuccession

For additional questions about these workshops, please contact David Marrison at marrison.2@osu.edu or 740-722-6073

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

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

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.

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 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. The registration fee 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/2025smallfarmconference

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Be OSU Extension’s Valentine by attending the Coffee and Grain Marketing Zoom on February 14 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, February 14  from 7:30 – 8:00 a.m.

During this Zoom webinar, Dr. Lee will provide his insights on the February 2025 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) Crop Report which is scheduled to be released on February 11. 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. Attend to see which sectors which are indicating bearish forecasts for the markets. Producers are encouraged to bring their questions to this early morning conversation.

CoffeewithSeungkiLee2025-final

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).

 

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.

Ohio Virtual Beef School begins January 29: An evening with Kenny Burdine

 

 

 

 

The OSU Extension Beef Team is pleased to be offering a Virtual Beef School featuring one webinar per month beginning January 29 and concluding in April.

For the first session join us – either in person in the Fairfield County Ag Center in Lancaster, or via ZOOM – on January 29 as we spend an evening exploring the economics of the beef cattle and livestock sector with University of Kentucky Extension economist Kenny Burdine.

Going into 2025 beef cattle prices are at record highs! Can it continue? How long will the consumer continue to support these price levels? Is it too late to consider expansion? On the 29th Burdine will offer his insight into this and more.

Kenny grew up in Jessamine County, KY where his family produced tobacco and raised cattle and sheep. He received his B.S. in Agricultural Economics in December of 1999, and began working as an Extension Associate in the Department of Agricultural Economics at UK. He pursued his graduate degrees on a part-time basis completing his M.S. in 2003 and Ph.D. in 2011. Burdine joined the UK Agricultural Economics faculty in 2012 and is currently an Extension Professor in livestock economics.

Burdine focuses his extension program in the areas of livestock marketing, price risk management, and general profitability. He travels extensively and delivers 40-60 programs each year directly for livestock producers. His applied research interests are primarily focused on marketing and decision-making for beef, dairy, and forage producers. Kenny also teaches a livestock marketing class on campus.

Don’t miss this opportunity to listen in beginning at 6:30 p.m. on January 29th as we are privileged to be hosting Kenny Burdine as he discusses his views on the economic future of the beef cattle industry.

The subsequent three Virtual Beef School sessions are as follows:

February 26:

  • Post Drought Pasture Management with Christine Gelley, OSU Extension Noble County
  • Annual Forages as Supplemental Feed – Jason Hartschuh, OSU Extension Field Specialist

March 26:

  • Why Are My Cows Open? – Dean Kreager, OSU Extension Licking County
  • Open Cows – Keep or Cull? – Stan Smith, OSU Extension Fairfield County

April 30:

  • Implementing Genomic Testing on Your Farm – John Yost, OSU Extension Wayne County
  • Heifer Development – What Have We Learned? with Garth Ruff, OSU Extension Field Specialist

Interested attendees can register for any of these webinars for free by visiting: go.osu.edu/beefschool25. If planning to attend the “live” presentation of session 1 in Lancaster on January 29, please register at https://go.osu.edu/BeefOutlook

For more information, contact OSU Extension Beef Field Specialist Garth Ruff.