Paulding County Extension is set to host THREE programs next week! Continue reading Join us next week for three ag-focused events!
Beating those Winter Blues
Please join us for the first Women in Ag Wednesday webinar episode on February 5, 2025, at 10:30 am. The OSU Extension Ohio Women in Agriculture Learning Network Team hosts the event.
Beating those Winter Blues
Do you ever feel sad or just “blah” in the winter? This session will discuss Seasonal Affective Disorder and how to beat the winter blues.
Register at this link one time for all the series. go.osu.edu/wiawednesdaywebinars2025
Register for Water Quality Wednesdays!
The Water Quality Team’s fifth annual webinar series, Water Quality Wednesdays, is back for 2025! Join OSU’s Water Quality Extension Associates for the series focusing on the interaction between agriculture and water quality. Each webinar will have a unique topic and speakers. We will be hosting three webinars, on the last Wednesday of the month, from January to March in 2025. Continuing education credits (CEUs) will be offered for Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs) for each webinar. Certified Livestock Manager (CLM) CEUs will be offered for relevant topics. All webinars will be recorded and posted to the OSU Agronomy Team YouTube channel (go.osu.edu/AgronomyYouTube) for later viewing. CEUs will not be available from the recordings.
The first webinar will be held on Wednesday, January 29 from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM. See the official flyer here 2025 WQW Series Flyer. Register at go.osu.edu/WQW25!
For more information, contact Rachel Cochran, Cochran.474@osu.edu, (567)344-5016 or visit waterqualityextension.osu.edu.
Farm Accounting with Quicken Workshops Across the State
Financial record keeping is critical for farm businesses. At a minimum, the records support the completion of the annual income tax forms and documents. Having accurate and accessible data makes tax time smoother and less stressful.
Record keeping can Do More Than a Tax Return. Records can be utilized to manage critical farm input expenses, calculate the cost of production, allocate income and expense to each farm enterprise, farm, or field location, build reports that describe the farm finances in real-time, and lead to stronger financial documents such as the annual balance sheet and income statement.
Is it time to re-evaluate how the farm keeps financial records? If so, OSU Extension is pleased to offer five Farm Accounting Workshops with Quicken across Ohio this winter. These workshops will be held at:
- Auglaize County, January 28 & 29, 2025 – 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm — Call: 419-910-6050 to RSVP
- Jefferson County, February 4 & 5, 2025 – 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm — Call: 740-264-2212 to RSVP
- Ross County, February 10 & 11, 2025 – 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm — Call: 740-702-3200 to RSVP
- Fairfield County, February 12 & 13, 2025 – 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm — Call: 740-653-5419 to RSVP
- Seneca County, February 20, 2025 – 9:30 am to 3:30 pm — Call: 419-447-9722 to RSVP
Continue reading Farm Accounting with Quicken Workshops Across the State
Empowering Women in Agriculture: Join the Northwest Ohio Women in Agriculture Roundtable
The agricultural world is evolving, and women are at the forefront of these changes. Whether you are a farmer, agribusiness professional, farm wife, or simply a woman passionate about agriculture, the Northwest Ohio Women in Agriculture Roundtable invites you to connect, collaborate, and grow.
About the Program, The Paulding County Extension Office is proud to announce the launch of a new initiative: the Northwest Ohio Women in Agriculture Roundtable, a monthly event tailored to celebrate and support women in agriculture. This engaging series runs year-round, offering a unique platform for women farmers, ranchers, agribusiness professionals, and others in the agricultural community to come together. Continue reading Empowering Women in Agriculture: Join the Northwest Ohio Women in Agriculture Roundtable
Planning the Future of your Farm program options for In-Person or Online Classes
Each year, OSU Extension holds “Planning for the Future of Your Farm” workshops to help families with farm transition planning. We offer both a webinar and in-person workshops at several locations across Ohio. This farm transition workshop challenges farm families to actively plan for the future of the farm business. Learn how to have crucial conversations about the future and strategies and tools that can help you transfer your farm’s ownership, management, and assets to the next generation. 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 discussed during this series include:
- Developing Goals for Estate and Succession
- Planning for the Transition of Control
- Planning for the Unexpected
- Communication and Conflict Management During Farm Transfer
- Legal Tools and Strategies
- Developing Your Team
- Getting Your Affairs in Order
- Selecting an Attorney
We encourage parents, children, and grandchildren to attend together to develop a plan for the future of your family farm. Continue reading Planning the Future of your Farm program options for In-Person or Online Classes
Beef Quality Assurance in Putnam County on Wednesday, January 22
Putnam County will be the host for the region for those of you needing to certify or recertify for Beef Quality Assurance. The event will be held on Wednesday, January 22 from 6:00 PM until 7:30 PM at the OSU Extension Office in Putnam County, 1206 East Second Street, Ottawa, OH 45875.
Join us for the annual Beef Quality Assurance Certification/Recertification program. Open to all and no cost to attend. RSVP to Beth Scheckelhoff at scheckelhoff.11@osu.edu or by calling (419)523-6294. Light refreshments will be provided by the Putnam County Cattlemen’s Association. Please call to sign up so we have an accurate food count!
Register for ODPA Annual meeting and Ohio Dairy Quality Conference on February 11, 12
The Ohio Dairy Producers Association invites you to their annual meeting on Tuesday, February 11 in Wooster at the Shisler Conference Center. Registration begins at 9:30, with the meeting to follow. Attendance is free and open to all dairy farmers. Enjoy lunch provided by our sponsors and learn how ODPA is helping to navigate the future of dairy on your behalf.
Join us as we examine the current state of the industry, evaluate the evolving needs of Ohio’s dairy farms, and critically assess state and federal policies that impact dairy. Together, we will explore statewide strategies and industry initiatives needed to shape a prosperous future.
Guest speaker Gregg Doud, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, will share insights into the new Trump administration and the importance of proactively engaging with key federal staff and elected leadership in this new political climate.
Other presentations include:
- An update from Ohio State on its new dairy facility, staffing, and key research projects
- An update from the FO33 Market Administrator regarding the federal milk marketing order modernization and what to expect in 2025
2025 Ohio Dairy Quality Conference Official Agenda
Wednesday is the Ohio Dairy Quality Conference.
To register RSVP by February 1 at https://www.odpa.org/events/odpa-annual-meeting-2025. The cost is $35 for the Ohio Dairy Quality Conference on Day 2. The registration flyer shares the hotel room block at the Hilton Garden Inn Wooster is available at https://group.hiltongardeninn.com/tsapj6 under the room block name “2025 Quality Conference”.
Join Paulding County Extension for January 7th Cover Crops Roundtable Meeting
Join OSU Extension Paulding County and escape the cold with some hot topics at our January 7th Cover Crops Roundtable meeting! Continue reading Join Paulding County Extension for January 7th Cover Crops Roundtable Meeting
Join us in 2025 on the First Friday Breakfast Series
Join Paulding County Extension Office for the Farm Management and Agronomy Monthly Agriculture Breakfast in Paulding County, Ohio! The next breakfast will take place on Friday, January 3, 2025, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Paulding Pancake House, located at 18187 US 127, Cecil, OH 45821. This welcoming event offers local farmers a chance to connect over a hearty breakfast while staying informed about the latest agricultural trends and local updates.
This month’s featured speaker is the Paulding County Soil and Water Conservation District, sharing insights on conservation practices and resources for local farmers. Each session includes a 15-minute guest speaker to provide valuable information on timely topics.
RSVP is appreciated to plan for handouts. Register at https://go.osu.edu/paulding1stfriday
The breakfast is a great opportunity to build community and foster collaboration among farmers and agribusiness professionals. Sessions run year-round, and while most meal costs are sponsored, attendees may occasionally cover their own. RSVP is appreciated to ensure enough materials are available. We hope to see you there!
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.
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