Legal

Will or Trust?

 A common question when starting the estate planning process is: do I need a will or trust?  There are a number of factors that must be considered before this question can be answered.  A trust is a common estate planning tool but not everyone needs one.  Oftentimes, the best plan includes only a will. The following are […]

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by Robert Moore, Attorney, OSU Agricultural & Resource Law Program

moore.301@osu.edu

Ohio Farmland Leasing Update

Join us for a Farmland Leasing Update webinar

Winter is a good time to review farm leases, for both economic and legal reasons.  We’ll provide you with current information to help with the farmland leasing process in our Ohio Farmland Leasing Update webinar on February 9, 2022, from 7 to 9 p.m.   Barry Ward, Leader of Production Business Management for OSU Extension, will address the economic issues and our legal team of Peggy Hall and Robert Moore will provide the legal information.

Our agenda will include:

  • Current economic outlook for Ohio row crops
  • Research on cash rent markets for the Eastern Corn Belt
  • Rental market outlook fundamentals
  • Negotiating conservation practices
  • Using leases in farmland succession planning
  • Ohio’s proposed law on providing notice of termination
  • Ensuring legal enforceability of a lease

There is no fee for the webinar, but registration is necessary.  Register at https://go.osu.edu/farmlandleasingupdate.

Ladies on the Land Workshops in 2022

Do you own, lease, or manage land? Would an increase in confidence, improved communication skills, and helpful resources allow you to better navigate farmland leasing issues? If so, join this interactive farmland leasing workshop developed for women involved in all stages and aspects of agriculture! Workshop topics cover:

  • Assessing the risk-reward continuum for tenants and landowners
  • Farmland leasing best practices
  • Enhancing communication skills
  • Developing equitable rental rates
  • Answers to your questions and concerns

Cost is $25 per person and includes a box lunch. Four workshops will be offered around Ohio and each will be from 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM :

  • January 27 – Medina County (Medina)
  • February 15 – Ross County (Chillicothe)
  • February 24 – Morrow County (Mt. Gilead)
  • March 3 – Putnam County (Ottawa)

Register at https://go.osu.edu/ladiesontheland

Ladies on the Land 2022 Flyer

 

Farm Office Live…August 27

“Farm Office Live” returns August 27, 2021, at 10:00 AM with special appearances by Ben Brown and attorney Robert Moore! Tune in to get the latest outlook and updates on ag law, farm management, ag economics, farm business analysis, and other related issues. Targeted to farmers and agri-business stakeholders, our specialists digest the latest news and issues and present it in an easy-to-understand format.

Special Guests

Ben Brown – A former member of the OSU Farm Office Team, Ben’s areas of expertise include farm management, commodity markets, and agricultural policy.

Robert Moore, Esq. – A former OSU Extension employee, Robert now practices agricultural law at Wright & Moore, with a focus on farm succession planning, estate planning, and business planning.

August Topics: 

  • Tax Proposals
  • Tax Planning in the Midst of Uncertainty – Robert Moore, Esq.
  • Ohio Cropland Values & Cash Rents
  • FSA Program Update
  • Grain Marketing Update – Ben Brown
  • Your Questions

To register or to view a previous “Farm Office Live,” please visit https://go.osu.edu/farmofficelive. You will receive a reminder with your personal link to join each month. 

The Farm Office is a one-stop shop for navigating the legal and economic challenges of agricultural production. For more information visit https://farmoffice.osu.edu or contact Julie Strawser at strawser.35@osu.edu or call 614.292.2433

Who’s on the Farm Office Team? — Our team features OSU experts ready to simplify farm management issues and make farm ownership less stressful:

Peggy Kirk Hall – Agricultural Law
Dianne Shoemaker – Farm Business Analysis and Dairy Production
David Marrison – Farm Management
Barry Ward – Farm Management and Tax

The legal roundup: ag law questions from across Ohio

I recall sharing my concern with a professor when I was in law school:  how will I ever know all the answers to legal questions?  No worries, he said.  You can’t know the answer to every legal question, but you do need to know how to find the answers.  I think of that advice often as legal questions come across my desk.

We’ve had a steady stream of them this summer, and the questions provide a snapshot of what’s going on around the state.  Here’s a sampling of questions we’ve received recently, complete with our answers—some we knew and some we had to find. Read more…

  • What do you know about the $500 million to be set aside at USDA for meat processors—who will administer it and what is the timeline?
  • If I enroll my land in the Wetlands Reserve Program, does the land still qualify for Current Agricultural Use Valuation tax treatment?
  • Are there any special requirements for a cottage food producer for selling “gluten free” or “vegan” products?
  • Are there regulations pertaining to online sales of perennial plants?
  • Does a “Scenic River” designation by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources allow the agency to take my property that’s along the river?
  • Do I need a license to make and sell egg noodles from the farm?
  • Is raising and training dogs considered “animal husbandry” for purposes of d the agricultural exemption from township zoning authority?
  • Can both landowners be assessed half the cost of removal of noxious weeds that are growing in a partition fence?

BY  | AUGUST 10, 2021, Associate Professor and Director, OSU Agricultural & Resource Law Program