Ag Policy

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

East Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference

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. Check out the 2025 Conference Flyer

Registration information can be found at: go.osu.edu/eowiareg25. The conference costs $70 for adult participants and $35 for students, including participation, breakfast, lunch, and conference materials. The deadline for registration is Friday, March 7. Continue reading East Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference →

2025 Overholt Drainage School (March 10 – 14, The Ohio State University Lima Campus) Registration closes on Feb. 28th

The 5-day Overholt Drainage School will cover a wide range of topics including planning, design and installation, drainage economics, topographic mapping, drainage law, GPS surveying, drainage design software, and conservation practices to manage water quality. The program is open to anyone interested in subsurface drainage design and installation, including drainage contractors, professional engineers, district technicians, consultants, NRCS, and agency professionals. Landowners and producers who intend to install or repair drainage systems on their own can greatly benefit by learning the key principles of drainage design and installation. Training is provided by a team of experts from The Ohio State University, experienced professionals from federal and state agencies such as the Ohio Department of Agriculture, and industry partners like the Ohio chapter of Land Improvement Contractors of America (OLICA). Check out the official flyer and agenda.

Cost: The cost of registration is $600 with discounts available for OLICA members, former Overholt School attendees, and multiple attendees from the same family, company, or agency. Lunch is included in the registration.

Registration information: Visit www.go.osu.edu/ODS25 for print and online registration forms, detailed session information, and hotel information. Availability may be limited, so early registration is encouraged. The registration deadline is February 28. Please contact me (shedekar.1@osu.edu) with any questions.

Training Schedule: Please see the attached flyer for a detailed agenda. Note that Day 1 on March 10th is optional for advanced participants.

Join OSU Extension at the Small Farms Conference in 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 operations. There will be five different conference tracks including Horticulture and Crop Production, Business Management, Livestock, Natural Resources, and Diversifying Your Enterprise. Check out the official program guide here. Continue reading Join OSU Extension at the Small Farms Conference in Wooster, Ohio →

Success Stories of Conservation program to be held February 20th

Ohio State University Extension and Northwest State Community College are partnering to provide a regional event focused on successful implementation of agricultural conservation practices, called “Success Stories of Conservation”.  The event will feature farmers giving 5-minute “lightning talks” that will discuss how specific conservation practices have benefitted them on their operations, followed by a panel-type question and answer session. In addition, Dr. Jim Uphaus, Professor and Chair of the Agriculture program at Rhodes State College, and Dr. Vinayak Shedekar, Assistant Professor of Agriculture Water Management at The Ohio State University, will host breakout sessions focusing on the return on investment of conservation practices and the benefits of utilizing farm drainage, respectively. The event’s keynote speaker will be Greg LaBarge, Field Specialist in Agronomic Systems at The Ohio State University, discussing his research in the Powell Creek Watershed and what watershed-scale implementation of conservation practices can do. Continue reading Success Stories of Conservation program to be held February 20th →

Join us next week for three ag-focused events!

Paulding County Extension is set to host THREE programs next week! Continue reading Join us next week for three ag-focused events! →

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 →

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!

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).

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!

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!

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