Education

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.

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

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! →

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

Farm Office Live Scheduled for October 18

OSU Extension will be offering the October Farm Office Live webinar on Friday, October 18 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.  Farm Office Live is a monthly webinar of updates and outlooks on legal, economic, and farm management issues that affect Ohio agriculture. Some of the topics that will be addressed during this webinar include Fall Crop Insurance Update, USDA Drought Assistance Programs, Legal Update, Tribute to Paul Wright, Practical Out of Country Labor Resource for Farms, 4th Quarterly Fertilizer Price Summary, and  Winter Program Update. Featured speakers include guest Farm Office members Peggy Hall, Jeff Lewis, David Marrison, Robert Moore, Eric Richer, and Clint Schroeder. Register for this and future Farm Office Live webinars through this link on farmoffice.osu.edu.

Ohio State University Grain Marketing Update on October 18 – 7:30 AM

While you are harvesting or hanging out in the shop, join our OSU Extension Farm Management team on October 18 at 7:30 AM ! Listen in on Zoom.

OSU Extension invites Ohio grain producers to grab a cup of coffee and join a grain marketing conversation with Dr. Seungki Lee, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics (AEDE) from 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. on October 18, 2024. During this webinar held via Zoom, Dr. Lee will provide insight on the October 11  World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) crop report and the current state of the Ohio grain market.

“This early morning webinar 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.

There is no fee to attend this webinar. Pre-registration can be made at go.osu.edu/coffeeandgrain. These webinars are sponsored by: OSU Extension, Farm Financial Management & Policy Institute (FFMPI), and the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics (AEDE) all located in The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). More information can be found at: http://farmoffice.osu.edu.

Organic Grain Production Field Day – Marketing, Mindset and Weed Management

Organic grain equipment

Article is taken from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-23/organic-grain-production-field-day-marketing-mindset-and-weed by Cassandra Brown, Eric Richer, CCA, Eugene Law, PhD

The Ohio State University and the Organic Agronomy Training Service (OATS), will host the workshop “Organic Grain Production – Marketing, Mindset and Weed Management” on Monday, August 19 at Bishop Family Farms in Mount Blanchard, Ohio.

Organic grains can be profitable, but organic production and marketing are quite different from conventional practices. This all-day event will provide agricultural advisors and farmers an opportunity to better understand the unique challenges, tools, and benefits of organic grain production.

Programming runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with registration opening at 9:30 a.m. Morning sessions are centered around the 3 M’s crucial in organic transition: mindset, machinery, and marketing. Talks and panel discussions will feature experienced farmers and grain marketers, along with organic educators from OATS and Ohio State. After lunch, the focus is on organic weed management in grains, with machinery demonstrations and talks by workshop farmer speakers and Ohio State weed ecology specialist Eugene Law.

The cost of $20 includes a provided lunch. Up to 4 hours of CCA credits are also available. For more information and to register, please visit https://organicagronomy.regfox.com/ohio-grain-workshop.

Register today, space is limited.

Article is taken from https://u.osu.edu/beef/2024/07/10/beef-cattle-a-i-workshop-hosted-in-muskingum-county/

OSU Extension Muskingum County will host an introduction to artificial insemination of beef cattle on July 30 and August 1, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm at the Extension Office in Zanesville. This two-night workshop is a classroom event starting on night one and concluding with hands-on-practice on night two.

Topics that will be covered during this workshop include: Advanced Reproductive Tract Anatomy and Physiology, Estrous Synchronization, Pasture Considerations, Expected Progeny Differences (EPD’s), and Tools, Equipment, & Techniques. Program cost is $20 per person and RSVP’s are due July 25.  The classroom location is the meeting room at the Rural Services Building, 225 Underwood St, Zanesville, OH.

Please RSVP and register using the online webform and payment portal found at go.osu.edu/muskingumbeef.

Direct questions to Clifton Martin, Extension Educator, Muskingum County (740-454-0144), or to Dean Kreager, Extension Educator, Licking County (740-670-5315), or see this flyer.

Certified Crop Adviser Exam Online Study Course

Image Credit: United Soybean Board

Article is taken from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-22/certified-crop-adviser-exam-online-study-course by Greg LaBarge, CPAg/CCA, Lee Beers, CCA, Amanda Douridas, CCA, Stephanie Karhoff, CCA

This online course will help those aspiring to become Certified Crop Advisers prepare for the program’s required exams. The self-paced course covers fundamental crop production concepts included in the local and International Certified Crop Adviser exam.

Key concepts in the program’s four competency areas of nutrient management, soil & water management, pest management, and crop management are covered. The course includes video instruction, example quizzes, and resource materials. The highlighted resource materials include free items such as factsheets and guides and for-sale publications available for more in-depth study.

Course instructors are seasoned Certified Crop Advisers with OSU Extension. Amanda Douridas, Madison County Ag/NR Extension Educator; Stephanie Karhoff, Field Specialist Agronomic Systems; Lee Beers, Trumbull County Ag/NR Extension Educator; and Greg LaBarge, Field Specialist Agronomic Systems serve as instructors.

Registration for the course is open now through October 31, 2024. Enrollees have 24/7 access to course content through December 31, 2024. The registration fee is $155. To register and make the secure online payment, use the link: https://go.osu.edu/ccaonline.

Find general information about the CCA program at https://www.certifiedcropadviser.org/. Information on the Ohio program can be found at https://www.oaba.net/aws/OABA/pt/sp/cca.

Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer Workshop offered regionally

Are you a hunter, landowner, or wildlife enthusiast? If so, please join the Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife for an evening workshop about chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Ohio’s wild deer herd.

Chronic Wasting Disease in Ohio’s Wild Deer Herd: What You Need to Know

  • August 8 – Hardin County
  • August 12 – Union County
  • August 29 – Wyandot County
  • September 5 – Crawford County
  • September 10 – Allen County
  • September 12 – Marion County

 All workshops are 6:30 – 8:30 pm. See the attached flyer for more information.  

Each workshop will cover:

  • What is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)?
  • Navigating Disease Surveillance Area Regulations
  • Carcass Handling Restrictions & Best Management Practices
  • Where and How to Test My Deer for CWD?
  • How does CWD impact Deer Management?

 There is no fee to attend these workshops. Due to space limitations, REGISTRATION is REQUIRED.

Visit go.osu.edu/cwdworkshop to register.

Marne A. Titchenell, Wildlife Program Director, OSU Extension, School of Environment and Natural Resources, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, 210 Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Rd, Columbus, OH 43210, 614-292-0402  Office, titchenell.4@osu.edu  u.osu.edu/wildside,  woodlandstewards.osu.edu  senr.osu.edu

Youth Gardening to promote educational skills.

Youth is the heart of Paulding County! When we talk about opportunities to develop skills that last a lifetime, we are talking about those career development skills and life skills like time management, and hard work. Paulding County Extension is offering its fourth season of a youth gardening program starting on June 4, 2024, and running through August 6, 2024.

“This year, we have expanded the program to offer meal and snack possibilities from produce grown in the garden.”, shared Emma Horstman, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences.

We are inviting all youth ages 8-12 to join the Paulding County Extension Office in their children’s gardening and cooking summer program. This program is geared towards 8-12-year-old youth interested in gardening, cooking, and healthy eating. This goal is to attend all sessions and enrollment is limited to 20 youth.​ Registration is required by going to the link http://go.osu.edu/24GreenThumbs.

The program aims to develop life and career skills while learning educational concepts in gardening and cooking. Youth will meet every Tuesday morning from 9:30 – 10:30 AM starting June 4 in the Youth Leadership Building, 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding, OH 45879. ​ Continue reading Youth Gardening to promote educational skills. →

Celebrate our rivers at RiverFest 2024!

For the eighth year in a row, Defiance is celebrating the Maumee and Auglaize Rivers with RiverFest, hosted at Pontiac Park from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 29th, 2024. There will be activities, demonstrations, food, and fun for everyone! Bring your kids, ages 1 to 100 for Kids River Passport STEAM activities, including Project Wet and other demonstrations by Defiance Soil and Water Conservation District, Defiance City Schools, Defiance College Science Club, Yoga in the Park, Camp Lakota/Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, ODNR Scenic Rivers, OSU Extension, The Nature Conservancy, Maumee Watershed Alliance, and more! A living history encampment will provide a taste of local history, then you can grab a taste of current history by visiting one of the food trucks at the park! A kayak raffle will also be held during RiverFest! More information can be found at the Land To Lake website, landtolake.org, or Click here to view the event flyer.

23rd Annual Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Sale

The pop of color from a flower, the bees on the native plants, and the taste of a homegrown tomato are all aspects of spring and summer in NW Ohio and one the Paulding County Master Gardener Volunteers love. The 23rd annual sale will continue in 2024 with some changes. The sale will be one day only on Saturday, May 18th from 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM or until the plants are sold out. The sale will occur at the Paulding County Fairgrounds inside the Block Building at 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding, OH 45879.

Plants and more will still be available at the 2024 Paulding County Master Gardener Volunteer plant sale. The sale will include perennials, annual flowers, herbs, vegetables, trees, potting containers, natives, and shrubs. Most items are between $1-$10 each. The proceeds from the sale will go back into the community Master Gardener Volunteer projects and programs. Continue reading 23rd Annual Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Sale →

Farm Doc Provides Look at PLC and ARC-CO Decision for 2024

Don’t miss the deadline of March 15, 2024.

OSU Extension appreciates permission to cross-post this article written by Farm Doc and published on January 16, 2024.

First Look at PLC and ARC-CO for 2024

by: Nick Paulson, Gary Schnitkey, and Ryan Batts Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois, and Dr. Carl Zulauf, Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics, Ohio State University

Because the 2018 Farm Bill was extended, farmers will have the same commodity title choices in 2024 as they have since 2019.  These include the Price Loss Coverage (PLC), Agricultural Risk Coverage at the county level (ARC-CO), and ARC at the individual level (ARC-IC) programs. For the first time, the effective reference prices in 2024 for corn ($4.01) and soybeans ($9.26) will be above statutory reference prices ($3.70 for corn, and $8.40 for soybeans). Wheat’s effective reference price will remain at the statutory level of $5.50.  Those effective reference prices are well below 2024 ARC benchmark prices: $4.85 for corn, $11.12 for soybeans, and 1 for wheat.  As illustrated in the recently updated 2024 Farm Bill What-If Tool — a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet — ARC-CO will trigger larger payments when county revenues are driven by low yields, while PLC payments may be larger with moderately low prices and higher yields, as well as in scenarios with extremely low prices.

Payments from either PLC, and ARC-CO remain relatively unlikely for corn, soybeans, and wheat, even with lower prices expected for 2024.  There is a higher likelihood of ARC-CO triggering payments on corn and soybean base acres given the higher benchmark prices compared with PLC’s effective reference prices. However, PLC may be attractive if an individual is concerned about corn and soybean prices falling below $3.75 and $9.00 per bushel, respectively.  In addition, producers interested in using the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) insurance program will want to enroll in PLC.

Continue reading Farm Doc Provides Look at PLC and ARC-CO Decision for 2024 →

OSU Precision Livestock Farming education series

Technology is changing the way we manage plants and animals. When someone says Precision Agriculture, we often think about crop production but there are many opportunities for technology to enhance our abilities to care for livestock. This winter OSU Extension is offering a glimpse at some of these technologies through hour-long weekly webinars. Each week we will have an expert join us to discuss a precision livestock topic for the species of livestock they work with, or forage production. These technologies are allowing us to improve animal husbandry and management efficiency.

The webinars will be from Noon until 1:00 PM throughout the winter 2024 months on January 31, February 7, February 14, February 21, February 28, and March 6. You can register to attend all of the topics or just the one of interest to you.  Registration is located at http://go.osu.edu/PLF24 or you can scan the QR Code below.  

Reach out to Jason Hartschuh at hartschuh.11@osu.edu with questions. To see the official flyer on Precision Livestock Farming flyer

Monthly topics include:

  • January 31, 2024 – Utilizing Drones and remote imagery to determine forage quality and quantity in pastures and hay fields. Speaker: Dr. Josh Jackson, UK Extension
  • February 7, 2024 – How does precision livestock farming relate to swine health? Speaker: Dr. Talita Pilar Resende, OSU Extension
  • February 14, 2024 – Sprinkler Effects on Cooling Water Use, Litter Moisture, and Broiler House Environment. Speaker: Dr. Tom Tabler, UT Extension
  • February 21, 2024 – Benefits of Data collection at lambing using RFID and handheld recorders. Speaker: Dan Persons, Shearwell Data
  • February 28, 2024 – Activity and temperature monitoring systems for dairy calves, heifers, and cows, Speaker: Jason Hartschuh, OSU Extension
  • March 6, 2024 – Pen-side Diagnosis of BRD pathogen, Speaker: Mohit Verma, Purdue Extension

AEDE Economic Outlook and Policy Webinar Series 2024

The Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics (AEDE) is hosting our annual Spring Monthly Webinar Series.

What are the key international issues with grain marketing in 2024? Do renewable energy needs ask too much of rural Americans? Uncertainty and rising prices have become fixtures in our financial and economic decision-making of late. This uncertainty and unrest have far-reaching impacts on not just our wallets but also on the very environment we live in. Join our expert economists for a new webinar series as we explore what’s going on in key commodity and labor markets. This series features a different AEDE economist breaking down an interesting topic every month throughout spring.

The Spring 2024 series schedule is below. Please register for each event you would like to attend separately by clicking the appropriate link on the AEDE website. Once registered, participants will receive a confirmation email with a link to view the selected webinar(s) live at the scheduled time(s). Participants will receive an automated reminder email for all upcoming sessions they registered to attend. Those unable to join live should still register to receive a recording of the webinar. All webinars will also be posted on the AEDE YouTube channel’s playlist for the series shortly after they are given live.  Click here to register.

  • January 24 – Dr. Jared Grant: “An Influencer’s Impact: How Trust May Shape Food Demand”
  • February 21 – Dr. Seungki Lee and Dr. Ian Sheldon: “Grain Marketing in 2024: What are the Key International Issues?”
  • March 20 — Dr. Yao Wang: “Place-Based Economic Development: The Case of Intel”
  • April 17 — Dr. Mark Partridge: “Do Renewable Energy Needs Ask Too Much of Rural Americans? A View from Ohio.”
  • May 15 — Dr. Ale Hollingsworth: “Excess Emissions: Environmental Impacts, Health Effects, and Policy Debate.”
  • June 5 — Dr. Margaret Jodlowski: “Agricultural Labor Supply and Citizenship Status”

Upcoming Organic Grains Conference Registration Opens

Registration is open for the 2nd annual Ohio State Organic Grains Conference, January 4-5, 2024 at the Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center near Toledo, Ohio. The 2024 conference offers programming for experienced organic growers, growers transitioning to or considering organic, and consultants or educators who support these growers. Continue reading Upcoming Organic Grains Conference Registration Opens →