Farm Resilience
Recap of this week’s OSU Extension Farm Office Live
The video recap of October 7, 2020, 8:00-9:30 a.m.
The October 7th session included updates on the second round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2), 2020 crop enterprise budgets, farm custom rates, COVID immunity legislation, and other emerging legal and economic issues.
Download October 7 slides
Take the OSU Extension Health Survey – Looking for Full and Part Time Farmers
Give us 15 minutes to tell us about your health behaviors for sun safety and 7 other areas: sleep, stress, nutrition, physical activity & a few more- We will not ask your name, or any other personal identifiers – your information will be aggregated with other farmer responses in Ohio
- This information will develop future Extension programs and resources for healthy living.
- There is a $10 gift card incentive for all completed surveys – for 100 Ohio farmers.
- Go to our survey link directly: www.go.osu.edu/HealthSurvey2020
For questions, contact:
Pat Brinkman, Extension Educator Family & Consumer Sciences, brinkman.93@osu.edu
Dee Jepsen, Ag Safety and Health, jepsen.4@osu.edu
Governor Signs Ohio Coronavirus Immunity Bill
By: Peggy Kirk Hall, Wednesday, September 16th, 2020
It took five months of negotiation, but the Ohio General Assembly has enacted a controversial bill that grants immunity from civil liability for coronavirus injuries, deaths, or losses. Governor DeWine signed House Bill 606 on September 14, stating that it strikes a balance between reopening the economy and keeping Ohioans safe. The bill will be effective in 90 days.
The bill’s statement of findings and declaration of intent illustrate why it faced disagreement within the General Assembly. After stating its findings that business owners are unsure of the tort liability they may face when reopening after COVID-19, that businesses need certainty because recommendations on how to avoid COVID-19 change frequently, that individuals who decide to go out in public places should bear responsibility for taking steps to avoid exposure to COVID-19, that nothing in existing Ohio law established duties on business and premise owners to prevent exposure to airborne germs and viruses, and that the legislature has not delegated authority to Ohio’s Executive Branch to create new legal duties for business and premises owners, the General Assembly made a clear declaration of intent in the bill: “Orders and recommendations from the Executive Branch, from counties and local municipalities, from boards of health and other agencies, and from any federal government agency do not create any new legal duties for purposes of tort liability” and “are presumed to be irrelevant to the issue of the existence of a duty or breach of a duty….and inadmissible at trial to establish proof of a duty or breach of a duty in tort actions.” Continue reading Governor Signs Ohio Coronavirus Immunity Bill
Supply chain, U.S. trade policy, COVID-19 to be discussed during Farm Science Review
Farm Science Review will hold live online sessions September 22-24. Photo: Getty Images.
LONDON, Ohio—The U.S. trade policy, labor and immigration issues, agricultural commodity markets, and the food supply chain will be among the topics addressed at a panel discussion during the 59th annual Farm Science Review Sept. 22–24 at fsr.osu.edu.
The previously titled Tobin Talk, now The Talk on Friday Avenue, “Value Chains in Food and Agriculture,” on Sept. 22 at 10 a.m. at fsr.osu.edu, will feature comments from a panel of agricultural economists from The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
The Talk on Friday Avenue is among a series of presentations at Farm Science Review to address topics relevant to the agricultural industry, from controlling weeds and managing beef cattle to reducing safety hazards on the farm and growing plants indoors in water, without soil.
As a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, this year’s Farm Science Review will be exclusively virtual, so you can find out about the latest in farm technology and techniques from the convenience of your home. The show, which is sponsored by CFAES, is free. Sign up at fsr.osu.edu.
If you require an accommodation, such as live captioning or interpretation, to participate in this event, please email fsrinfo@osu.edu.
The Talk on Friday Avenue is an annual panel discussion given by agricultural economists in CFAES. This year it will focus on supply chains in food and agriculture, many of which were tested earlier this year when the nation’s major meat processors closed down temporarily as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, which left many employees ill with COVID-19. Continue reading Supply chain, U.S. trade policy, COVID-19 to be discussed during Farm Science Review
Facing Farm Financial Stress: Assessing the Bankruptcy Option
by: Peggy Hall, OSU Extension
Farming has always been an unpredictable way to make a living, and that unpredictability can lead to financial stress. Whether caused by down markets, weather impacts, rising input costs, high land values, poor decision making, medical issues, or a host of other unforeseen circumstances, serious financial stress can be a reality a farmer must face.
Filing bankruptcy can be one way to address farm financial stress. But because of its consequences, bankruptcy is not a decision to take lightly and might not be the best option. Our newest resources target farmers who are dealing with financial challenges and considering bankruptcy. Facing Farm Financial Stress: An Overview of the Bankruptcy Option offers a seven-part series of law bulletins and infographics focused on bankruptcy issues for farmers. The series covers:
- Assessing the bankruptcy option. Steps to take and considerations to make when dealing with financial stress, including alternatives to bankruptcy and farmer to farmer advice from families that have been through the bankruptcy process.
- An overview of bankruptcy law. We explain and visualize the legal process, people, institutions, and legal terms involved in bankruptcy with a focus on Chapter 12, the law reserved for qualifying farmers and fishermen.
- Thriving after a farm bankruptcy. Ideas for setting a course to attain farm financial stability and reestablish relationships after filing bankruptcy, including farmer to farmer advice from those who’ve survived the bankruptcy.
Our team of authors, which included me along with OSU’s David Marrison, Hannah Scott, and Chris Zoller–created the resources with support from the USDA’s National Agriculture Library and in partnership with the National Agricultural Law Center (NALC). The series is available on our Farm Office site here or on NALC’s site here.
National Ag Statistics Service (NASS) Updates
Sometimes this information is helpful in your farm management decisions. The National Ag Statics Service (NASS) sends different updates throughout the year. This week was a big week of updates for the Great Lakes Region. I am including those PDF updates links below.
Recordings of Farm Office Live
One of the questions I have received this week is I can’t join the OSU Farm Office Live, where do I get these recordings. Great News — You can view these recordings and also download the presenter slides at farmoffice.osu.edu/farmofficelive.
I have also included the webinars from April 6 to June 11 below. Go to the link above to review today’s session. Continue reading Recordings of Farm Office Live
Farm Office Live Webinar Slated for Thursday, June 11 at 9:00 a.m.
OSU Extension is pleased to be offering the “Farm Office Live” session on Thursday morning, June 11 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Farmers, educators, and ag industry professionals are invited to log-on for the latest updates on the issues that impact our farm economy.
The session will begin with the Farm Office Team answering questions asked over the two weeks. Topics to be highlighted include:
- Updates on the CARES Act Payroll Protection Program
- Prevent Plant Update
- Business & Industry CARES Act Program
- EIDL Update
- CFAP- update on beef classifications and commodity contract eligibility
- Dicamba Court Decision Update
- Other legal and economic issues
Plenty of time has been allotted for questions and answers from attendees. Each office session is limited to 500 people and if you miss the on-line office hours, the session recording can be accessed at farmoffice.osu.edu the following day. Participants can pre-register or join in on Thursday morning at https://go.osu.edu/farmofficelive
CFAP Program for Beef Producers
By David Marrison, OSU Extension, marrison.2@osu.edu
Click here to access a PDF version of the article
Since the beginning of January, market prices for major commodities have fallen sharply since COVID-19 reached the United States. There have been many efforts through federal and state legislation to offset the impact of COVID-19.
Enrollment is currently being taken by the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) for one such program targeted to help agricultural producers. This program called the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) is providing financial assistance for losses experienced as a result of lost demand, short-term oversupply, and shipping pattern disruptions caused by COVID-19. Continue reading CFAP Program for Beef Producers
Learn about the CFAP Program
OSU Extension is pleased to be sponsoring two events to help Ohio farmers learn more about the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Join us:
Wednesday, May 27 from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Join OSU Extension’s Ben Brown and Dianne Shoemaker for a webinar on “Navigating Direct Support for Ohio’s Farmers and Ranchers” on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 9:30 am with special guest, Ohio Farm Service Agency Director Leonard Hubert. This webinar is generously produced and distributed by Ohio Ag Net. The webinar will be available for viewing at https://farmoffice.osu.edu/, or through Ohio Ag Net’s Facebook Live Video.
Thursday, May 28 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.
OSU Extension is pleased to be offering a “Farm Office Live” session on Thursday morning, May 28 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. The session will begin with the Farm Office Team answering questions asked over the past 2 weeks. Topics to be highlighted include Updates on the CARES Act, Payroll Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), and Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Participants can pre-register or join in on Thursday morning at https://go.osu.edu/farmofficelive
Farmers and 1099 filers might qualify for new COVID-19 unemployment benefits program
by: Peggy Kirk Hall
Farmers aren’t traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits, but that won’t be the case when Ohio’s newest unemployment program opens. We’ve been keeping an eye out for the opening of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which will provide unemployment benefits to persons affected by COVID-19. The program is targeted to persons who are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits, such as self-employed and 1099 filers. PUA is yet another economic assistance program generated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act recently passed by Congress. Continue reading Farmers and 1099 filers might qualify for new COVID-19 unemployment benefits program
Being and Maintaining an Economically Resilient Farm
by: Chris Zoller, Extension Educator, ANR, Tuscarawas County
The word “resilience” is used often in the agricultural press. What does this mean? Merriam-Webster defines resilience as:
- The capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive stress.
- An ability to recover from or adjust to misfortune or change.
We often see resilience used in agriculture when discussing climate and weather. There is documented evidence of weather changes that have impacted agriculture, and farmers have done their best to adapt to these changes. Examples include building soil health, managed grazing, the use of cover crops, water management strategies, technology adoption, and more.
Resilience can also be used when discussing the economics of agriculture and the resulting effects. It is no surprise to anyone in agriculture that people are strained, are experiencing stress, and are trying to adjust to new and different ways of operating. Continue reading Being and Maintaining an Economically Resilient Farm
Sign up for USDA-CFAP Direct Support to Begin May 26, 2020
Ben Brown, Peggy Kirk Hall, David Marrison, Dianne Shoemaker, and Barry Ward
The Ohio State University
Since the enactment of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on March 27, 2020, and the announcement of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) on April 17, 2020, producers in Ohio and across the country have been anxiously awaiting additional details on how the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) will provide financial assistance for losses experienced as a result of lost demand, short-term oversupply and shipping pattern disruptions caused by COVID-19.
The additional details on CFAP eligibility, payment limitations, payment rates, and enrollment timeline arrived on May 19, 2020, when the USDA issued its Final Rule for CFAP. In this article, we explain the Final Rule in this issue of News from the Farm Office. Continue reading Sign up for USDA-CFAP Direct Support to Begin May 26, 2020
USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
by: Chris Zoller, Extension Educator, ANR, Tuscarawas County & Mike Estadt, Extension Educator, ANR, Pickaway County
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and other USDA authorities to provide $16 billion in support to farmers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The program is available to all farmers, regardless of size, who suffered an eligible loss. Included in the program is $3 billion that will go toward purchases of commodities for distribution by food banks and faith-based programs through the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. USDA announced $1.2 billion in contracts for that program last week. Continue reading USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
On Farm Biosecurity to Keep Us and Employees Safe
By Jason Hartschuh and Dr. Gustavo Schuenemann
Agriculture is no stranger to contagious diseases. Drawing on sanitation experiences from outbreaks, such as avian and swine influenza or the 2001 outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the United Kingdom in 2001, can help us through the current pandemic. Looking back at many of these experiences, we know that we can pull together maybe from a distance and get through the current human viral outbreak and keep our farms running. Unless they are sick, farmers don’t usually tell their workers to stay home, but through keeping social distance on the farm and increasing many of our tried and true disinfection protocols, we can all stay healthy. One big difference is that instead of disinfecting our boots, we need to disinfect all surfaces around us and all our employees’ touch. This may also be a good time to review the visitation requirements you have on your farm. To keep you and your service providers safe, be sure to follow all their company requests and keep your distance when they come onto the farm or respect their calling instead of coming for a visit. Continue reading On Farm Biosecurity to Keep Us and Employees Safe
The Farm Office is open
The Ohio State University Extension Farm Office team is ready to answer your questions. Find information on Agriculture Law from Peggy Hall, ask questions about Grain Markets with Ben Brown, talk taxes with Barry Ward, look at your farm’s bottom line with Dianne Shoemaker, talk farm management and succession planning with David Marrison. This team of specialists is ready to serve you.
Each week, the Farm Office Team offers live office hours to update you on current issues affecting the farm economy. Join our experts for quick presentations and Q & A. Go here to register at no cost. Go to this page to view past webinars and PowerPoint slides.
New Podcast Series – Legal Resilience on the Farm through COVID-19
From Eva Moss, Farm Commons
Our work at Farm Commons is all about supporting farmers in cultivating legal resilience for the farm business. With the devastating spread of COVID-19, the nature of farm business has been turned on its head. We know all you farmers are making quick and significant changes to your marketing channels, staff, food safety protocols, and more to stay afloat through this crisis. Continue reading New Podcast Series – Legal Resilience on the Farm through COVID-19