Farm Management

Supporting Farmers Through Dry Conditions

With an estimated 2,709,128 Ohioans currently living in some sort of dry or drought conditions, times are not easy. Unfortunately, with no relief in sight, we could be sitting in this position for quite some time. The map below indicates where each county in Ohio stands in its current dry/drought condition.

Our team at OSU Extension and other professionals around the state of Ohio are working around the clock to monitor the situation and provide resources for on-the-ground support and daily observation of the weather outlook. Click here for more information and resources.

We often forget to check in on our mental health during this time of high stress and anxiety. While many people can cope with the everyday stress of farming, it is important to know it is okay not to be okay. Especially with extreme weather conditions, it can be difficult for any farmer.

There may be no way to control this drought, but we can control how we manage our stress. Here are a few simple ways:

  • Recognize the signs of it, which manifest differently in everyone.
  • Acknowledge and share with someone that you are feeling
  • Ensure that you are getting enough sleep, eating properly, and maintaining good physical
  • When you have the time to connect with loved ones, Spending quality time with others boosts your mental health.

What are some of the signs of stress:

  • Poor sleeping and/or eating habits
  • Feeling overwhelmed by life
  • Overly anxious or stressed
  • Increased use of drugs and/or alcohol
  • Increase in risky behavior
  • Overly tired and/or forgetful
  • Thoughts of hopelessness

If you have been feeling any of these for more than a few weeks, please reach out to someone. We have your back, and you are not alone in these thoughts. Please talk with someone.

Resources that are available to you:

go.osu.edu/farmstress   go.osu/educountyresourceguide

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Call, Text, or Chat 24/7 365 Ohio Care Line 1-800-720-9616

Please reach out if you have any questions or need more information to Bridget Britton at 330-365- 8160.

Bridget Britton, MSW, LSW Behavioral Health Field Specialist

Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rent Survey

Deadline approaching: We ask you to please complete the online or attached survey by March 31, 2024.

There are two options to complete the short survey.

  1. Complete the survey online at https://go.osu.edu/ohiocroplandvaluescashrentssurvey23_24
  2. Complete the attached survey (Word Doc) and email the completed survey back to ward.8@osu.edu

You can also access the online survey through this QR code:

2024 Farm Bill Summit

Ever wondered how the Farm Bill affects our food and agricultural landscape? The Farm Bill, a substantial legislative package passed by the federal government every few years, impacts how funds are allocated for various crucial aspects of agriculture, nutrition, conservation efforts, natural resource protection, and support systems across the nation. To delve deeper into this vital legislation and its implications, we invite you to join us at our 2024 CFAES Farm Bill Summit on February 23 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Fawcett Center. Engage in discussions led by CFAES and industry experts, unravel the complexities, and understand how this bill shapes the future of farming and related industries. This summit offers a unique opportunity to gain insights, network with others in the industry, and comprehend the far-reaching impact of the Farm Bill on our agricultural ecosystem. Learn More and Register at https://cfaes.osu.edu/news/events/2024-cfaes-farm-bill-summit. 

Planning for the Future of Your Farm Workshop

April 4, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Warren County Fairgrounds, Welcome Hall

The OSU Extension office in Warren County invites you to participate in a “Planning for the Future of Your Farm” workshop on April 4, 2024. This workshop is designed to help farm families learn strategies and tools to successfully create a succession and estate plan that helps you transfer your farm’s ownership, management, and assets to the next generation. Learn how to have crucial conversations about the future of your farm. This workshop will be held at the Warren County Fairgrounds in the Welcome Hall located at 665 N. Broadway, Lebanon, OH 45036.

Workshop topics 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; and Selecting an Attorney.

The base $85 registration fee allows 2 family members to attend, including lunch, refreshments, and 1 set of course materials. Additional family members can attend for $25 per person. Additional materials can be purchased for a fee. More information can be obtained by contacting Greg Meyer at meyer.213@osu.edu or by phone at (513)695-1311 or at go.osu.edu/farmsuccession.

Registration and Flyer

Farmer/Farmland Owner Tax Webinar

Are you a farmer or farmland owner wanting to learn more about the recent tax law issues? If so, join us for this webinar on Friday, December 15th, 2023, from 10 am to noon. This webinar is a part of our Farm Office Live Series and serves as our Farm Office Live! Webinar for December. To register for this webinar, go to https://go.osu.edu/register4fol.

This webinar will focus on issues related to farmer and farmland owner income tax returns, the latest news on CAUV and property taxes in Ohio, and the big changes to the Ohio Commercial Activity Tax (CAT). This two-hour program will be presented in a live webinar format via Zoom by OSU Extension Educators Barry Ward, David Marrison, Jeff Lewis, and Purdue faculty member Dr. Michael Langemeier. Individuals who operate farms, own property, or are involved with renting farmland should participate.

Topics to be discussed during this webinar include (subject to change based on tax law change):

  • Economic Outlook
  • Depreciation Update
  • Employee vs. Independent Contractor
  • Corporate Transparency Act/Beneficial Owners Information Reporting
  • 1099-K Changes
  • Charitable Remainder Trusts
  • Basis Allocation Land Acquisition – Allocating Basis to Residual Fertility for Future Deductions
  • Defining Farm Income to Avoid Paying Estimated Tax
  • Keeping an Eye Forward on Estate/Gift Tax Limitation
  • Reminder – Keeping an Eye on Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Provisions Sunsetting After 2025 Tax Year
  • Ohio Tax Update (CAUV/Property Tax Update, CAT Changes, Beginning Farmer Tax Credit, Ohio Tax Law Interpretation – Ohio Supreme Court Issues New Ruling)
  • Indiana Tax Update

To register: https://go.osu.edu/register4fol

For more information, contact Barry Ward at ward.8@osu.edu or Jeff Lewis at lewis.1459@osu.edu

Planning for the Future of Your Farm Workshops

Zoom Webinar Workshop (6:30 – 8:00 p.m.)

  • February 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2024

 In-Person Workshop Locations (9:00 to 4:00 p.m.)

  • Southern State Community College – Mt. Orab Campus: November 29, 2023 (Brown County)
  • Celina, Ohio: December 7, 2023 (Mercer County)
  • Lisbon, Ohio:  January 19, 2024 (Columbiana County)
  • Urbana, Ohio: January 26, 2024 (Champaign County)
  • Tiffin, Ohio: February 2, 2024 (Seneca County)

Instructors: David Marrison, OSU Extension Farm Management Field Specialist and Robert Moore, Attorney with the OSU Agricultural & Resource Law Program

We encourage to help promote the on-line workshop as well as any of the regional workshops which are near your producers.

Attached is the promo card which we will be distributing at FSR next week.

Later this year, we will start taking requests for workshops for the fall of 2024 and winter of 2025.

Thanks to the counties who stepped forward to host a workshop this year

More Information at: go.osu.edu/farmsuccession

Ohio’s Farm Lease Termination Deadline Approaching

A new Ohio law took effect last year that impacts some landowners who want to terminate their farm crop leases. If a farm lease does not include a termination date or a termination method, the law requires a landowner to provide termination notice to the tenant by September 1. The law was adopted to prevent […]

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