Author: Sarah Noggle

Farmer and Farmland Owner Income Tax Webinar

Farmer/Farmland Owner Tax Webinar Graphic

Are you a farmer or farmland owner wanting to learn more about recent tax law changes, which were part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act?

If so, join us for a live webinar on Friday, November 14, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, as part of our Farm Office Live Series.

You can register by visiting: go.osu.edu/register4fol. This webinar will cover key tax issues affecting farmers and farmland owners, including tax provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, tax planning in low-income years, residual fertility/excess fertility deduction, research and development tax credit, Ohio tax update, and much more!

Commercial Pesticide Applicator Crash Course

Are you preparing to become a commercial pesticide applicator in Ohio? Join OSU Extension for two focused training sessions designed to help you gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to apply pesticides safely, effectively, and in compliance with state regulations.

These trainings are ideal for individuals seeking a commercial applicator license for the first time or preparing for certification exams. Led by pesticide safety and education experts from OSU Extension, each session will cover essential topics for agronomic commercial pesticide applicators. Paulding County Extension is partnering with the Mercer County Extension Office to offer these two different sessions. November 20 will only be offered in Mercer County, and December 18 will be offered in both counties. Flyer and Registration Link

📅 Training Dates & Topics

November 20, 2025 – Commercial Core Training

Learn the foundational principles every commercial applicator needs to know:

  • Laws and regulations
  • Applicator safety and environmental protection
  • Calculations and formulations
  • Label interpretation

December 18, 2025 – Agronomy Pesticide Basics Training

Take a deeper dive into agronomic pest management:

  • Weed control principles and herbicide terminology
  • Disease management in agronomic crops
  • Insect management in agronomic crops

📍 Location: Mercer County Agriculture Center Conference Room, 4978 Mud Pike, Celina, OH

Note: The December 18 session will also be hosted in Paulding County, but all registration will be coordinated through the Mercer County office.

🕗 Time: 8:00 – 11:30 a.m.

💲 Cost: $35 per training (Pay at the event with cash or check, or Pay by credit card when registering online)

📝 Registration: Pre-registration is required. Scan the QR code on the flyer or register online at go.osu.edu/commpest.

📞 Questions? Contact Sarah Noggle at 419-399-8225 or noggle.17@osu.edu

 

NW Ohio Women In Agriculture to Meet on Thursday, November 13

Are your personal and farm finances working together—or pulling in different directions? 🤔

Join the Northwest Ohio Women in Agriculture Roundtable on November 13 at 6:00 PM to learn strategies for blending family and farm budgets for long-term success. The event will take place at the Black Swamp Nature Center, located at 753 Fairground Drive, Paulding, OH 45879. (Please note this is a last minute location change.)

This welcoming event offers local female farmers, farm wives, female agribusiness professionals, or anyone interested in agriculture a chance to connect over dinner while staying informed about the latest agricultural trends and local updates. While the program is geared towards adults, we do appreciate bringing youth along to learn. Each person attending must complete a separate registration. 🗓️ Register by Monday, November 10 🔗 https://go.osu.edu/25NWOhioWIANovember

While the event is a roundtable discussion, this month’s featured speakers are Paulding County Extension Educators, Melissa Rupp and Sarah Noggle, who will teach a session on Your Money Goals: Adding Personal Finances into the Farm Budget. Participants must RSVP to receive materials and a meal by Monday, November 10, 2025. 

SPECIAL THIS MONTH: If you have something you would like to trade or barter related to kitchen supplies, or even a potential white elephant gift for the holidays, bring that along.  Continue reading NW Ohio Women In Agriculture to Meet on Thursday, November 13 →

Horticulture Hot Topics At Cooper Community Library on November 6

Horticulture Hot Topics: Cover Crops for Your Garden
Join us on Thursday, November 6, at 5:30 PM at the Cooper Community Library in Oakwood! Learn how cover crops can improve your garden’s soil health and reduce weeds—all while adding beauty and biodiversity. 🌾

Hosted by the Paulding County Carnegie Library and OSU Extension Paulding County.
💬 RSVP appreciated — call 419-399-8225 and ask for Katie.
👩‍🌾 Presented by Sarah Noggle, OSU Extension Educator.

New Fertilizer Applicator Certification Class in Paulding County on December 3

Why Ohio Fertilizer Certification Matters — and Who Should Be Certified

Are you applying or supervising the application of manure or fertilizer on your farm? If so, you’ll want to read on.

What is the certification?

In Ohio, the Ohio Fertilizer Applicator Certification is a required credential for anyone applying fertilizer or manure—or supervising its application—on more than 50 acres of agricultural production grown primarily for sale. Technically, fertilizer is defined as any substance containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, or other plant nutrients in dry or liquid form. The certification training gives you the knowledge you need to meet regulatory requirements, manage nutrients, protect water quality, apply materials effectively, and keep proper records.

 Who needs to be certified?

  • If you apply fertilizer or manure to more than 50 acres of agricultural land grown primarily for sale, you are required to obtain certification.
  • If you supervise others applying fertilizer or manure on 50+ acres, you also need to be certified.
  • The certification covers both commercial and private applicators—there is no separate “private vs commercial” certification; the same credential applies across the board.

 Why is this important? Continue reading New Fertilizer Applicator Certification Class in Paulding County on December 3 →

Drought Conditions and Resources

Resources for Ohio’s farmers to navigate challenging issues

CFAES experts know the challenges Ohio growers and producers face due to a variety of reasons. A Rapid Response Team was created to quickly address current events and offer the best science-based recommendations to protect livestock, crops, and farm operations due to weather impacts, tariffs, commodity prices, and extreme events.

Check out this link to the https://kx.osu.edu/page/early-drought-response 

Registration OPEN!: 2025 Ag Lender Seminars by OSU Extension

Registration is now OPEN for the 2025 Ag Lender Seminars by OSU Extension.

A great lineup of speakers, professional development, and networking.  Please check out the 2025 Featured Speakers, Agendas, and Registration pages for more details.  Time of day for Seminars is 9 am to 3 pm. Dates and location addresses are listed on each site-specific agenda and provided here:

  • October 14 – Ottawa, OH -Putnam County Educational Service Center, 124 Putnam Pkwy, Ottawa, OH  45875
  • October 16 – Urbana, OH -Champaign Co Community Center Auditorium, 1512 U.S. Hwy 68, Urbana, OH 43078
  • October 16 – Washington CH, OH -Fayette County Extension Office, 1415 US Hwy. 22 SW, Washington Court House, OH 43160
  • October 21 – Wooster, OH – OSU CFAES Fisher Auditorium, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH  44691

To register or find more details, check out the link at: https://u.osu.edu/aglenderseminars/

Don’t forget to get your Pre-Sale Farm Science Review Tickets

Farm Science Review tickets are on sale now at the Paulding County Extension Office!

🚜FSR is the premier agricultural education and industry expo in the area. With new ag technology, hands-on exhibits, field demonstrations, conservation practices programs, commercial exhibitors, and research showcases, it is one of the biggest agricultural events of the year!

📲FSR dates are Tuesday through Thursday, September 16, 17, and 18, and are located at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center, 135 SR 38 NE, London, OH 43140.

🎟 Single-day tickets are $10 presale, $15 at the gate, and children 5 and under are free.

Presale tickets are on sale until 4:00 pm on September 15 and are in limited quantity. Stop by the office today!

Join Escape To the Forest with Invasive Species

Join the Ohio Woodland Stewards Program on Friday, June 27, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM for a virtual session titled “On the Brink: Early Detection of Woodland Invasive Plant Species”. Most woodland owners are already familiar with the dreaded “usual suspects,” such as garlic mustard, bush honeysuckle, and autumn olive. Have you considered what invasive plants might be on the next horizon? Join ANR Educator Carrie Brown as the team explores plant species that are not yet state listed but are exhibiting invasive characteristics.

Register at go.osu.edu/invaders

2024 Farm Commodity Program Payment Estimates for Ohio Counties as of May 2025

Authored by: Carl Zulauf, Seungki Lee, and David Marrison, Ohio State University, May 2025

Click here for the PDF version of this paper, including charts and graphics

This paper provides estimates of expected payments by the ARC-CO (Agriculture Risk Coverage – County version) and PLC (Price Loss Coverage) commodity programs for the 2024 crop year.

Official payment rates are expected in October 2025.  They can deviate notably from estimates as final prices and yields are yet known.  Prices and yields, particularly for ARC-CO, are in a range where small changes can cause large changes in payment rates.  Use the estimates with caution.

The estimates use 2024 crop year program parameters from USDA, FSA (US Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency), and the latest available data for 2024 market year price estimates from USDA, FSA, and county yield estimates from USDA, NASS (National Agricultural Statistics Service). Continue reading 2024 Farm Commodity Program Payment Estimates for Ohio Counties as of May 2025 →

How Ohio’s Proposed Pesticide Rules Could Affect Teens Working on Farms

By: Jeffrey K. Lewis, Esq., Legal Associate, Agricultural and Resource Law Program, Income Tax Schools
Posted Friday, May 16th, 2025 on https://farmoffice.osu.edu/blog/proposed-pesticide-rules-could-affect-teens
Help wanted sign in front of corn field.

On April 9, 2025, the Ohio House of Representatives passed its version of the state’s biennial budget, also known as House Bill 96, which introduces substantial revisions to Ohio’s pesticide application laws. These updates aim to bring the state into closer alignment with current federal regulations and carry significant implications, particularly for family farms that involve youth workers. As the school year ends and more minors begin working regularly on farms, the timing of these proposed changes raises concerns about how they may limit the roles young people can legally perform, especially when it comes to pesticide-related tasks.

Changes on the Horizon?
One of the most notable changes is the proposed restriction that only licensed commercial or private pesticide applicators may “use” Restricted Use Pesticides (“RUPs”). This would eliminate the previous allowance for trained service persons, immediate family members, or employees to apply RUPs under the direct supervision of a licensed applicator.

Additionally, House Bill 96 expands the definition of “use” of RUPs to include not only the act of application but also:

  1. Pre-application activities such as mixing and loading;
  2. The application itself, performed by a licensed commercial or private applicator;
  3. Other pesticide-related tasks include transporting or storing opened containers, cleaning equipment, and disposing of leftover pesticides, spray mixtures, rinse water, containers, or any materials containing pesticides.

The bill makes clear that no individual may use RUPs unless they are properly licensed under Ohio law, reinforcing the importance of formal certification for anyone involved in pesticide handling.

Continue reading How Ohio’s Proposed Pesticide Rules Could Affect Teens Working on Farms →

2025 Second Quarter Fertilizer Prices Across Ohio

For those of you tracking fertilizer pricing, here is the report for the Second Quarter in Ohio.

The second quarter results from a survey of Ohio fertilizer retailers showed prices in Ohio were generally lower compared to the national averages reported by Progressive Farmer – DTN (Quinn, April 2025). The survey was completed by nine retailers, representing nine counties, who do business in the state of Ohio. Respondents were asked to quote spot prices as of the first day of the quarter (April 1st) based on sale type.

The survey found the average prices of fertilizer were lower in Ohio compared to the national prices for all major fertilizers except DAP. However, only two were significantly lower (more than 5%): 28% UAN was 10% lower and 10-34-0 APP was 6% lower than the national average. The national average price for DAP was the same as in Ohio.

When compared to prices from the last quarter’s Ohio survey, three fertilizers were up significantly (more than 5%): 28% UAN, up to $341/ton from $292/ton; urea, up to $561/ton from $491/ton; and potash, up to $449/ton from $415/ton.

When compared to the April 2024 average Ohio prices, the April 2025 average Ohio prices were slightly lower for anhydrous, 28% UAN, MAP, DAP, and potash. Ammonium sulfate is the only product that saw a significant price increase (+20.2%) in the last year. Urea, ammonium thiosulfate, and poultry litter remained relatively unchanged (+/-1%) from one year ago.

The chart linked in the report (Table 1.) is the summary of the survey responses. The responses (n) are the number of survey responses for each product. The minimum and maximum values reflect the minimum and maximum values reported in the survey. The average is the simple average of all survey responses for each product rounded to the nearest dollar. We recognize that many factors influence a company’s spot price for fertilizer including but not limited to availability, geography, volume, cost of freight, competition, regulation, etc.

Join the Cover Crop Variety Testing Network

The Cover Crop Variety Testing Network is seeking farmers to join their team as citizen scientists to test different cover crop species and varieties this fall. The goal is to build a national network of cover crop variety trial sites to learn which varieties work best for different regions, management practices, and farming systems. Check out the attached flyer and/or contact etiennesutton@missouri.edu for more details. Check out the official flyer here.

Space is limited! Click here to complete a short sign-up survey by June 15.

To learn more about this collaborative national project, visit the MU Center for Regenerative Agriculture website.

May 7th Wednesday Women in Ag Webinar – Cut Flowers for Beginners

Join us on May 7, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., for the Wednesday Women in Agriculture next session on…

Cut Flowers for Beginners

Interested in growing cut flowers on a small scale? Join Sabrina Schirtzinger, Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Knox County, to learn valuable tips and tricks to get started!

Register for the entire series using this link once. go.osu.edu/wiawednesdaywebinars2025

Red Crown Rot: What Ohio Soybean Growers Need to Know

Article by: Sarah J. Noggle, Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Paulding County

As the 2025 growing season begins, it’s important for Ohio soybean farmers to be aware of a potential new threat: Red Crown Rot (RCR). While this disease has not yet been confirmed in Ohio, it has been identified in nearby states, including Kentucky and Illinois, which means vigilance is key.

What is Red Crown Rot?
Red Crown Rot is a soilborne fungal disease caused by Calonectria ilicicola. It can be easily confused with other common soybean diseases like Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) and Brown Stem Rot (BSR) because of similar yellowing between the leaf veins (interveinal chlorosis). However, a key identifying feature of Red Crown Rot is the presence of brick-red fungal structures at the base of the stem and crown, especially noticeable under wet conditions.

Why Does It Matter?
Red Crown Rot can lead to significant yield losses and is challenging to manage once it becomes established in a field. Understanding how to recognize early symptoms and differentiate it from other diseases is critical for minimizing its impact. Continue reading Red Crown Rot: What Ohio Soybean Growers Need to Know →

Livestock Mortality Composting In Person Class on April 2

The Hancock County Ohio State University Extension Office along with the Hanock and Putnam County SWCD offices will be hosting a Livestock Mortality Composting Certification Training at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2nd at the Hancock County Agriculture Center meeting room located at 7868 County Road 140, Findlay, Ohio.

This training session will certify an operator to compost all approved livestock species and is available to all Ohio livestock producers. Composting is a natural process where bacteria and fungi decompose organic material in a predominantly aerobic environment. During the composting process, microorganisms break down organic materials into a stable mixture called compost. The compost resembles humus, and is spread on farming fields.

To legally compost dead livestock in Ohio from normal farming practices, producers must attend a certification program.

All who are interested in attending are asked to pre-register by April 1st by phone at 419-422-6569 or e-mail h2ohio@hancockswcd.com.  There is no cost to attend. Check out the Livestock Mortality Composting Workshop Flyer.

Join us March 5 for the Wednesday Women in Ag Webinar

Join us on March 5th at 10:30 am to learn more about Native Plants and how to incorporate them into your landscape. Amanda Bennett, ANR OSU Extension Educator in Miami County, will be our presenter.

Register for the entire series using this link one time. go.osu.edu/wiawednesdaywebinars2025

 

Join us on March 4 for the Field to Finance Monthly Roundtable

🌱 Join Us for Field to Finance – Growing Success! 🌾

Are you a new or beginning farmer looking to sharpen your skills in agronomy and farm management? Whether you’re 18 or 80, the Field to Finance – Growing Success monthly series in Paulding County, OH, is here to support you!

📅 Next Session: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
🕘 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📍 Paulding County Extension Office, 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding, OH
💲 FREE to attend!

🔥 This Month’s Topics:
🌽 Agronomy (9:00 AM): Using the Corn, Soybean & Wheat Budgets
📊 Farm Management (10:00 AM): Technology in Agriculture (QGIS) & The Value of Farm Meetings in Transition

Each session features expert speakers, hands-on learning, and valuable networking with experienced farmers. RSVP is appreciated to ensure we have enough handouts and refreshments!

👉 Register here: go.osu.edu/FarmForward25

For questions, contact Sarah Noggle at (419) 399-8225 or noggle.17@osu.edu.

👩‍🌾👨‍🌾 Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your farm, your finances, and your future! Tag a friend who should join you!

2025 Field to Finance March 2025 Flyer

Webinar Adoption Technology and AI in the Dairy Industry

Join CFAES and the College of Veterinary Medicine for the next webinar on March 5, 2025, from 3:00 – 4:00 PM (Central Time) in their next installment of the Dairy Cattle Webinars titled “Adoption Technology and AI in the Dairy Industry”.

Register for the webinar at https://osu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_l8k6UfdrRgOiGIfH7SrA5g 

Precision technology is transforming dairy farming by providing practical, data-driven solutions to optimize efficiency and productivity. This webinar will explore (1) the latest technologies available for farm operations, (2) present data about the perception and adoption of precision technologies, and (3) highlight valuable resources to help dairy farmers, students, and industry professionals make informed decisions and optimize dairy farm management.

Join us for Breakfast on Friday, March 7

🥞🚜 Join Us for the March 7 First Friday Breakfast! 🚜🥞

Paulding County farmers, start your morning off right at the Farm Management & Agronomy Monthly Agriculture Breakfast! 🌾☕

📅 Date: Friday, March 7
⏰ Time: 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
📍 Location: Paulding Pancake House, 18187 US 127, Cecil, OH

Enjoy a delicious breakfast while catching up on current ag trends, local farming news, and valuable insights from our guest speaker, Samantha Bluhm, Paulding County Farm Bureau Organizational Director. She’ll be sharing details on upcoming Farm Bureau events and the value of membership. 🌱🤝

This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow farmers in a relaxed setting and strengthen our local ag community! 👨‍🌾

Come to one or all sessions—just be sure to RSVP so we can have enough handouts ready!

📩 RSVP & Questions? Contact Sarah Noggle at (419) 399-8225 or noggle.17@osu.edu

Breakfast is at the attendees’ cost. See you there! 👏

#PauldingAg #FarmCommunity #AgricultureBreakfast #Networking #OhioFarming