Battle for the Belt – Is Corn or Soybean King hosted in Paulding County

Join us for the Battle for the Belt agronomy event in Paulding, Ohio, an exciting competition designed to showcase and enhance your skills in crop management and agronomy practices, including the hot topic of whether soybeans or corn are king. This regional OSU Extension program features Ohio State and field Extension specialists (Horacio Lopez-Nicora, Osler Ortez, and Laura Lindsey) who will address the question, “Is it better to plant corn or soybeans first?”

Participants will engage in hands-on activities, challenges, and educational sessions led by experts in the field. Speakers will provide valuable insights and data from two years of university research conducted at the OARDC research stations in Wood County, Clark County, and Wayne County as well as in county research during the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons. This event not only offers an opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in agronomy but also encourages friendly competition as participants vie for the coveted championship belt. Whether you are a seasoned farmer or new to the field, the Battle for the Belt promises to be an informative and entertaining experience that will elevate your agronomic knowledge and practices. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with fellow farmers and industry leaders while having fun!

  • General Information: Pre-registration is preferred for food count for this event. Walk-ins are welcome but may be limited by no lunch option.
  • Location: Paulding County Extension Office, 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding OH 45879
  • Cost: Free
  • Registration Information: RSVP by January 13. Limited seats for this meeting. Lunch included is provided with registration.
  • Contact: Sarah Noggle, noggle.17@osu.edu, (419) 399-8225
  • Registration Link: go.osu.edu/25BeltBattle

2024 Virtual Soil Health Tour

Ohio State University Extension’s fourth annual Soil Health Tour is live for 2024! This year’s virtual tour partnered with Michigan State University to showcase conservation practices in action through the Western Lake Erie Basin of Ohio and Michigan. Five tour stops showcase individual farmers who have implemented different conservation practices on their farms. Each producer’s video interview with an Extension staff member discusses the practice they are utilizing, why they chose to implement it, benefits they have seen thus far, and changes they would make, if any if they did it all over again. In addition to those sites, we are showcasing 8 regional locations of a study that members of OSU Extension have completed over the past few years, looking at soil health across the state. To view the interactive StoryMap, visit go.osu.edu/SHTour24.

If you enjoy learning about conservation practices in action, consider joining us for an event on February 20th, 2025, at Northwest State Community College. This event, Success Stories of Conservation, will be a place for farmers, landowners, and technical support staff to openly discuss how conservation has worked for them, as well as their challenges with these practices. More information can be found at our website, waterqualityextension.osu.edu.

Register for the Quarterly Grain Market Conversations in 2025

OSU Extension invites grain producers and industry personnel to save the dates for the quarterly grain market conversations with Dr. Seungki Lee, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics (AEDE). These quarterly zooms will be held on February 14, May 16, August 15, and November 14.  Each Zoom will be held from 7:30 – 8:00 a.m.

During these Zoom webinars, Dr. Lee will provide his insights on the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) crop report. “These early morning webinars will be a great way for Ohio farmers to learn more about the factors impacting the corn, soybean, and wheat markets,” said David Marrison, Interim Director for OSU Extension’s Farm Financial Management and Policy Institute.  Producers are encouraged to bring their questions to this early morning conversation.

Official Flyer of Event

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, the Farm Financial Management & Policy Institute (FFMPI), and the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics (AEDE).

Farmer’s Tax Guides and Farm Accounting Books are Available!

We have copies of the IRS Publication 225: Farmer’s Tax Guide for 2024 Returns available in the office. You can also get the guide online at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p225.pdf or the PDF version here. You are in the business of farming if you cultivate, operate, or manage a farm for profit, either as owner or tenant. A farm includes livestock, dairy, poultry, fish, fruit, and truck farms. It also includes plantations, ranches, ranges, and orchards and groves. This publication explains how federal tax laws apply to farming. Use this publication as a guide to figure out your taxes and complete your farm tax return. If you need more information on a subject, get the specific IRS tax publication covering that subject.

Additionally, we also have copies of the Ohio Farm Account Book ($8.00 plus tax) and the Ohio Commercial Farm Accounting (FA-8) ($9.75 plus tax) books or inserts available for purchase. Stop in and see us!

You can also order the publications on your own at https://extensionpubs.osu.edu/. If ordering online you will have to pay an increased shipping cost whereas ordering in the office will save you the shipping fee.

Register Now for the January 9-10 Ohio State Organic Grains Conference

Registration is open for the 3rd annual Ohio State Organic Grains Conference, January 9-10, 2025, 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.

“Attendance last year was encouraging,” says conference director Eric Richer. “There’s a growing interest in organic production and practices. We’re pleased to move to a larger venue that allows organic farm equipment to be displayed at our trade show and more room for concurrent sessions and networking.”

Featured speakers for 2025 include Erin Silva, University of Wisconsin-Madison State Extension Specialist in Organic and Sustainable Cropping Systems; Damon DeSutter of DeSutter Farms in Attica, Ind.; Osler Ortez, Ohio State Corn and Emerging Crops Specialist; and Sophie Rivest-Auger, Organic Field Crop Advisor for Quebec’s Centre for Expertise and Transfer in Organic and Local Agriculture.

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 interseeding cover crops in organic corn, flame cultivation, the use of biological products in organic production, setting up weed control equipment for success, nitrogen credits from cover crops and manure, and a market end-users panel.

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 also receives input from a planning committee of Ohio State staff and researchers, educators from organic non-profits, and organic farmers, including Bridget Burgess. Burgees is the 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. She especially encourages growers new to organic to attend the January event.

“Any entry-level organic or transitioning farmer would benefit from time spent listening and networking with the growers at this conference,” says Burgess. “These are growers who were doing organic before it was cool,” she adds.

Registration is $175 from now through January 3. Continuing education credits will be available for Certified Crop Advisors. For more information, visit go.osu.edu/OrganicGrains.

East Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference – Let’s Celebrate 10 Years Together in 2025!

The Eastern Ohio Women in Agriculture Team is looking forward to celebrating our 10th annual East Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference on March 21, 2025, in Wooster, OH!

Registration information is coming soon! If you are interested in supporting this event through sponsorship or being an exhibitor, please reach out to Emily Marrison at marrison.12@osu.edu or Corinna Gromley at gromley.8@osu.edu.

We are so pleased that Elaine Froese will be our keynote speaker.

Her superpower is helping families find harmony through understanding. Elaine’s passion is to share simple, practical, and actionable tools with farm families so they can talk about tough issues and get traction in their farm transition. Her topics are a catalyst for courageous conversations and conflict resolution.

Registration Open: Basics of Grain Marketing Workshop January 16 & 17

Author: Wm. Bruce Clevenger, Field Specialist, Farm Management

Registration is now open for the Basics of Grain Marketing Workshop, January 16 & 17, 2025 at the OSU Extension Champaign County Office in Urbana, Ohio.  This in-person workshop offers education and farm-ready strategies on topics such as basis, market carry, margins, cash markets, forward and futures contracts, hedge to arrive and basis contracts, differed price, hedging, storage, and overviews on options, spreads, and crop insurance.  It’s “more than a 2-day workshop”, featuring pre-workshop activities on calculating grain cost of production and measure of risk comfort. The workshop will include grain marketing basics, applications, and activities, plus a panel of industry professionals.  A post-workshop grain marketing peer group will be offered to strengthen learning into action with webinar updates.  The workshop has 50 limited seats.

Expert instructors: Seungki Lee, The Ohio State University, Grant Gardner, University of Kentucky, and Ben Brown, University of Missouri.  Hotel block rate deadline: December 15, 2024.  Workshop registration deadline: January 3, 2025.  For more information and registration, visit https://go.osu.edu/grainmarketing

This workshop is possible with the support of grower checkoff dollars via the Ohio Soybean Council and Ohio Corn & Wheat.  This workshop is led by Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio State University Farm Financial Management & Policy Institute.

Join Us for Farm Office Live in 2025!

From the Farm Office Team

As we wrap up the year, the Farm Office Team would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in our Farm Office Live webinars over the past year. Your engagement and support make these sessions impactful and worthwhile.

We are excited to announce the dates for our 2025 Winter Series and invite you to mark your calendars for these upcoming webinars. Sessions will take place on Fridays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon on the following dates:

  • January 17
  • February 21
  • March 28
  • April 25

What to Expect

Farm Office Live webinars offer timely and essential updates for farm operations, from legislative changes to business management insights.

Here’s the Tentative Agenda for our first session on January 17, 2025:

  • Legislative Round-Up
  • Farm Business Analysis Program Update
  • Long-Term Care Update
  • Quarterly Fertilizer Update
  • Crop Input Outlook
  • Livestock Outlook
  • 1099 Reminders
  • Farm Policy & Farm Bill
  • Winter Program Update

Where to Find More Information

Stay up-to-date and access past recordings and slides on our website: Farm Office Live.

Save the Dates!

Don’t miss these opportunities to gain valuable insights and connect with experts who are here to help you navigate the ever-evolving agricultural landscape.

We hope you enjoy a wonderful holiday season, and we look forward to seeing you in 2025! As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Warm regards,
The Farm Office Team

Statewide Webinar on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Tim McDermott, DMV, Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources in Franklin County, will be co-hosting an informative webinar on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) alongside Dr. Kristy Shaw, DVM from the Ohio Department of Agriculture, and Jenna Gregorich from the Ohio Poultry Association.

📅 When: Wednesday, January 15th, at 12:00 PM
💻 Where: Online (link provided upon registration)
🎟 Cost: FREE and open to the public

This webinar is designed to provide valuable updates and insights into HPAI, covering critical topics such as:

  • Biosecurity measures to protect your flock.
  • Recognizing the signs and symptoms of HPAI.
  • A state-level update on HPAI, including its implications for the poultry industry and even a bit about its effects on dairy.

Why Attend?

HPAI remains a significant concern for poultry owners, farmers, and anyone involved in agriculture. This webinar is an excellent opportunity to:

  • Stay informed about the latest developments.
  • Enhance your biosecurity knowledge.
  • Ask questions directly to experts in the field.

Register Today!

Registration is required, and you can sign up HERE.

We encourage you to share this opportunity with your network! Attached are flyers in PDF and JPEG formats for easy sharing on social media or email. Let’s spread the word to ensure everyone has access to this essential information.

We look forward to seeing you on January 15th!

Don’t forget to sign up for Paulding County Fertilizer and Pesticide Recertification on January 23

Farmers and agribusiness professionals are reminded to renew their Ohio Department of Agriculture private pesticide applicator license and private or commercial fertilizer license by the March 31, 2025, deadline. To assist with this process, the Ohio State University Extension in Paulding County will host its annual Fertilizer and Pesticide Recertification class on Thursday, January 23, 2025.

Noggle is reminding all that they must register online by January 17.

  • Payment by debit or credit card is only available through online registration and cannot be processed in person at the office. If you choose to pay with a credit or debit card, the registration link will direct you to a separate site called “QuickPay” to complete the payment. You will need to provide an email address and also check your email for an access code to proceed with the transaction. Please note that the access code is valid for only 5 minutes.
  • Pre-registration and pre-payment are required to ensure smooth check-in and prompt session starts. Register online at http://go.osu.edu/pauldingpatfert25

Continue reading Don’t forget to sign up for Paulding County Fertilizer and Pesticide Recertification on January 23 →

Get Ready to Dig into Soil Health with the 2025 Ohio State Soil Health Webinar Series!

Are you ready to expand your knowledge of soil health? The 2025 Ohio State Soil Health Webinar Series is here, bringing expert insights on hot topics requested by viewers in recent years.

This free, virtual series offers a unique opportunity to learn from leading researchers, educators, and farmers who are shaping the future of soil health. Recordings will be available through the Ohio State Extension Agronomic Crops Team page, but event planners encourage live participation. Joining live sessions allows attendees to ask questions, share insights, and engage in meaningful conversations with experts.

Register now at go.osu.edu/SoilHealthWeb to receive meeting links and calendar reminders. Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs) can earn continuing education credits by attending live sessions. Continue reading Get Ready to Dig into Soil Health with the 2025 Ohio State Soil Health Webinar Series! →

Sarah Noggle Receives Prestigious Ohio No-Till Council Educator of the Year Award

Plain City, Ohio: On December 4, 2024, the Ohio No-Till Council announced Sarah Noggle, an esteemed educator in agriculture and natural resources, as the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Educator Award. This prestigious recognition highlights Noggle’s exceptional contributions to advancing sustainable farming practices, soil health, and agricultural education in Ohio and beyond.

Noggle was selected from a diverse pool of educators representing elementary, high school, university, and adult education programs across the state. Her ability to engage and inspire learners of all ages, coupled with her expertise in conservation and agricultural sustainability, set her apart as a leader in her field.

As an educator, Noggle serves as a tireless advocate for conservation agriculture, with a focus on no-till practices, soil health, cover crops, and sustainable farming systems. Through her leadership and innovative educational programs, she has empowered countless farmers, landowners, and community members to adopt practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality, and strengthen the long-term viability of agricultural operations.

A cornerstone of Noggle’s work has been her commitment to fostering meaningful connections between farmers and agricultural professionals. Her efforts in Extension programming have built bridges between research and application, ensuring that evidence-based practices reach the hands of those who steward the land. Noggle’s dedication to local and statewide initiatives, including her work with cover crops and farm stress, exemplifies her holistic approach to serving Ohio’s agricultural community. Continue reading Sarah Noggle Receives Prestigious Ohio No-Till Council Educator of the Year Award →

Looking for Women in Agriculture for Questionnaire Research Study

Dr. Mary Rodriguez and Alexis Zickafoose from The Ohio State University are researching to better understand how being involved in a cooperative can influence women’s agricultural enterprise self-efficacy. They hope to learn more about women’s experiences in agriculture and their agricultural enterprise self-efficacy. If you agree to participate, the questionnaire should take no more than 15 minutes of your time. The responses provided will be reported together so that individual participants will be protected. There are no risks in this study in addition to the risks that you face in everyday life.

Please click here to read more information about the study, decide if you want to participate, and complete the questionnaire.

Link to consent information and questionnaire: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6WgNtVqT9ZAE9pk

Did you miss Farm Office Live: Farmer and Farmland Owner Tax Webinar 2024

On December 6, 2024, the Farm Office Team hosted their annual Farmer and Farmland Owner Tax Webinar, offering valuable insights into critical tax topics affecting the agricultural community. Designed to address the unique challenges farmers and landowners face, the session featured expert guidance from Barry Ward, David Marrison, Jeff Lewis, and Robert Moore.

Key Topics Discussed

The webinar provided in-depth discussions on the following topics:

  • Farm Economy and Tax Planning: Strategies to navigate tax implications in today’s agricultural economy.
  • Tax Planning for Low Income/Drought Years: Guidance for managing taxes during challenging financial years caused by adverse conditions.
  • Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Reporting: Understanding compliance requirements for BOI under new regulations.
  • Pending Sunset of Larger Estate Tax Exclusion Amount: Insights on planning for changes to the Unified Credit in 2026.
  • Residual Fertility/Fertilizer Deduction: Navigating deductions related to soil fertility management.
  • Clean Fuel Production Credit (I.R.C. § 45Z): Opportunities for farmers in clean fuel initiatives.
  • Current Agricultural Use Valuation (CAUV) Changes in 2024: Updates on CAUV calculations impacting property taxes.
  • IRC § 45Q – Credit for Carbon Oxide Sequestration: Leveraging carbon capture tax credits for sustainability efforts.
  • Farm Loan Immediate Relief under the Inflation Reduction Act: Clarifications on corrected 1099s for debt relief programs.
  • Taxability of USDA Discrimination Financial Assistance Awards: Determining the tax implications of these financial awards.
  • Sunsetting Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) Provisions: Preparing for the expiration of key provisions affecting agriculture.

Access the Recording

Missed the live webinar or want to revisit key details? You can access the recording and slides:

Expert Guidance for Tax Planning

Each topic was tailored to help farmers and landowners make informed decisions during the 2024 tax season and beyond. The team provided practical advice for optimizing tax strategies, minimizing liabilities, and preparing for upcoming changes in the tax landscape.

Stay informed with updates from the Farm Office Team—your trusted resource for agricultural tax and management expertise!

Breakfast with Santa

🎅🍳 Breakfast with Santa! 🍳🎅

Join us for a jolly good time this Saturday, December 7, at our Breakfast with Santa event provided by the County 4-H Clubs (Paws on the Wall, Livewires, Campground Kids, Flatrock Jr. Farmers, Livewires) and Wayne Trace FFA! 🎄✨

Bring the whole family to enjoy a delicious breakfast, festive activities, and a chance to meet Santa Claus himself!
📸 Don’t forget your cameras for photo opportunities with the big guy in red!
Free will donations will benefit the future new cattle barn on the fairgrounds.
📅 Date: Saturday, December 7
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
📍 Location: Paulding County Extension Office, 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding, OH 45879
This is a perfect way to kick off the holiday season with family and friends. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 🌟

#BreakfastWithSanta #HolidayFun #FamilyEvent #SantaIsComing

 

Paulding County Pesticide and Fertilizer Recertification is schedule for January 23, 2025

Paulding County Fertilizer & Pesticide Recertification Classes

Attention Paulding County farmers and applicators! Mark your calendars for the Fertilizer and Pesticide Recertification Workshop on Tuesday, January 23, 2025. This is an important opportunity to renew your certifications and stay compliant while learning about the latest in fertilizer and pesticide management.

Event Details:

📅 Date: Tuesday, January 23, 2025
📍 Location: Paulding County Extension Office
503 Fairground Drive, Paulding, OH 45879

⏰ Schedule:

  • Fertilizer Recertification: 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
  • Pesticide Recertification: 9:45 AM – 12:45 PM

💲 Cost:

  • Fertilizer Only: $10
  • Pesticide Only: $35
  • Combo (Fertilizer + Pesticide): $45

🍴 Light snacks will be provided with registration.

Important Information:

🚨 Pre-registration is mandatory.Spots are limited, and no walk-ins will be accepted.

🗓️ Registration Deadline: January 17, 2025

🔗 Register Here: go.osu.edu/PauldingPATFERT25
(Scan the QR Code below for quick access!)

Contact Information:

For questions or additional information, contact:
Sarah Noggle
📧 Email: noggle.17@osu.edu
📞 Phone: (419) 399-8225

Don’t miss this chance to recertify, connect with other producers, and gain valuable knowledge for the upcoming growing season. Reserve your spot today! 🌾

NW Ohio Newsletter 2025

📬 The 2025 Northwest Ohio Newsletter is Coming!

Exciting news! The 2025 Northwest Ohio Newsletter will be hitting mailboxes near the end of December! 🗓️

Packed with the latest updates on agriculture, Extension programming, and community opportunities, this newsletter is your go-to resource for staying informed and connected.

Prefer to read online? 📲 Check out the Virtual Version here.

Stay tuned—there’s a lot to look forward to as we kick off a new year together! 🌾

#Agriculture #Extension #NWOhio #StayConnected #LeanOnYourLandGrant #PauldingCountyStrong #OSUE

Ohio Maple Days 2024

Registration is now open for Ohio Maple Days 2024.

Friday, December 6th we will be offering a workshop on transition and estate planning featuring Ohio State University’s own David Marrison and Robert Moore.  While this workshop is a part of Ohio Maple Days it is open to any landowner who wants to participate.  Registration is available here.

 Saturday, December 7th is a day for everything maple.  Topics this year include an expert panel on filtering, cost-share programs, managing a timber sale, marketing for producers, and a grading and tasting session to name a few.  Visit with vendors and enjoy a maple-themed lunch.  Registration is available here.

Maple Days Flyer 2024

Farmer and Farmland Owner Income Tax Webinar

Article by Barry Ward & Jeff Lewis, Income Tax Schools at The Ohio State University

Are you a farmer or farmland owner wanting to learn more about the recent tax law issues? If so, join us for this webinar on Friday, December 6th, 2024, from 10 am to noon. This webinar is a part of our Farm Office Live Series and serves as our Farm Office Live! Webinar for December. To register for this webinar, go to: https://go.osu.edu/register4fol

This webinar will focus on issues related to farmer and farmland owner income tax returns as well as the latest news on CAUV and property taxes in Ohio and another reminder regarding changes to the Ohio Commercial Activity Tax (CAT). This two-hour program will be presented in a live webinar format via Zoom by OSU Extension Educators Barry Ward, David Marrison, and Jeff Lewis. Individuals who operate farms, own property, or are involved with renting farmland should participate. Continue reading Farmer and Farmland Owner Income Tax Webinar →

Join Us for Fall 2024 Weeds University on November 21 – Paulding County host location

OSU Extension invites crop producers, CCAs, and agribusinesses to attend a regional at the Fall 2024 Ohio State Weeds University on Thursday, November 21, 2024, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The program will take place at locations across the state. Locations include Darke, Highland, Sandusky, Licking, Paulding, and Mahoning counties. This program is designed to keep agronomic crop producers on the cutting edge of weed control for their operations. Topics addressed will include preharvest weeds survey results, drone applications of herbicides, burcucumber control, new herbicides, and new technology in weed science. Hands-on exercises such as weed ID with live plants will also be part of the program and tailored to local needs. This is an in-person event with a portion of the presentations being broadcast virtually at each regional location.

Featured presentations and speakers include: Continue reading Join Us for Fall 2024 Weeds University on November 21 – Paulding County host location →