Upcoming Events

Jul

19

2011

Farm Finance for Women Workshop to be offered in August

By Julia Nolan Woodruff, Extension Educator, Erie County After a successful winter workshop series, OSU Extension will be offering a summer version of the Farm Finance for Women workshops. This workshop is designed to address the area of financial risk management. There are a series of four classes; one held each week in the evening from 6:30 – 9:00 pm. The summer workshop will be held in Knox and Delaware Counties. The first two classes will be at the OSU Extension Office located at 1025 Harcourt Rd., Mount Vernon and the second two classes will be held at the OSU Extension office in Delaware County located at 149 N. Sandusky St., Delaware. The classes will be held on August 9, 16, 23, 30. Click for Brochure A more in-depth study of the components of financial risk related to agriculture is discussed by the educators teaching this workshop. Educators will provide tools for women to utilize in order to increase their current financial risk management skills. The program is inspired by the recent Annie’s Project Workshops and organized much like those workshops. However, there is only one area of risk management focus, unlike the past Annie’s Project Workshops. Specific topics that will be addressed include: cash flow, balance sheet and income statement development, Quicken basics for farm recordkeeping, and benchmarking. The workshops will include hands-on activities, computer entry for the Quicken workshop, and homework. Three workshops were piloted this ...
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August 2011, Financial Management, Upcoming Events

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Jul

08

2011

“Transferring Your Farm Business Workshop to be held in Northeast Ohio”

By: David L. Marrison, Ag & NR Extension Educator Click here for the registration flyer As the age of farm operators increases, transferring the ownership and management of the family farm will become one of the most important issues farm families will face. This workshop has been designed to help farm families in Northeast Ohio plan for the transfer of their family farm. To help farm families plan for the future, OSU Extension will be hosting a Transferring Your Farm Business workshop on August 23, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the OSU Extension Office in Trumbull County located at 520 West Main Street in Cortland. This workshop will challenge you to actively plan for the future. Farm families are encouraged to bring members from each generation to this workshop. Kick off your estate planning discussion with the tools offered at this workshop. Learn from the estate transfer nightmares encountered by other farm families. This workshop is one which will help you develop a plan for the future, discover ways to increase family communication, and learn strategies for transferring management skills and the farm’s assets from one generation to the next. Some of the topics which will be addressed include: Getting the Family to Talk About Estate Planning, Getting Your Affairs in Order, How to Use Farm Business Arrangements in Estate Planning, Estate and Transfer Strategies, Providing Income for Multiple Generations, How Do I Treat Each Offspring Fairly Whe...
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Estate Planning, July 2011, Upcoming Events

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May

03

2011

Legal Aspects of Oil, Gas Drilling Focus of June Symposium

By: Martha Filipic Source: Peggy Hall Recent interest in developing Ohio's resources for natural gas drilling has prompted Ohio State University's Agricultural and Resource Law Program to plan an Ohio Oil and Gas Law Symposium, "The 'New' Ohio Oil and Gas Boom: Drilling into Legal Issues." The Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program for attorneys will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, June 16, at the Longaberger Golf Club at One Long Drive in Nashport, Ohio, 10 miles east of Newark. "Although Ohio has a long history of oil and gas production, we anticipate even greater interest in the legal issues involved as companies generate what may be unprecedented oil and gas activity in the Marcellus and Utica shale around the state," said Peggy Hall, director of the program and Ohio State University Extension agricultural law specialist. "Today's shale development uses new technologies and brings new legal issues that attorneys need to be aware of." The program offers 5.5 CLE credits. The registration fee is $175 by June 6 or $200 afterwards. Lawyers first admitted to the bar after 2008 receive a $50 discount. Lunch is provided. Registration by credit card is available at https://www.regonline.com/OilandGasLaw, or checks payable to the OSU Agricultural and Resource Law Program may be mailed with a completed form, available at http http://aede.osu.edu/programs/aglaw to Peggy Hall, Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics, 2120 Fyffe Roa...
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Legal Issues, May 2011, Upcoming Events

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Jan

27

2011

Ohio Grape and Wine Conference Returns This Year: To Be Held Feb. 21-22 in Columbus

by Mauricio Espinoza

Designed for both new and established grape growers and winemakers, the 2011 Ohio Grape and Wine Conference will be held Feb. 21-22 at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center on Ohio State University’s Columbus campus.

Registration at the discounted rate is available until Feb. 4. Details, full schedule and a registration form can be found at http://go.osu.edu/BsD.

Jointly organized by the Ohio Grape Industries Committee (OGIC) and Ohio State’s Viticulture and Enology Program, the conference consists of both general and concurrent sessions covering a wide range of timely topics for people involved in the grape and wine industry and those seeking to join this growing sector of Ohio’s agriculture.

Ohio State specialists will present information on a variety of research trials in viticulture, plant pathology, entomology, weed science and enology. A special workshop has also been developed to address the critical needs of the increasing number of new growers and wineries in Ohio today. Additionally, an expanded two-day trade show with both vineyard and winery equipment and services will be featured this year.

Conference participants can also qualify for five pesticide recertification credits (one core and four commercial 2B, which also apply for Private 3P).

The Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center is located at 2201 Fred Taylor Dr., Columbus, Ohio, just off the Lane Ave. exit at State Route 315 South.

February 2011, Upcoming Events

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Jan

27

2011

Northern Ohio New & Small Farm College

by Julia Nolan Woodruff, OSU Extension Erie County

Ohio State Extension educators in the Erie Basin and Maumee Valley EERAs are working together to offer a workshop for new and aspiring farms, the Northern Ohio New & Small Farm College. This workshop will focus on topics related to profitable and alternative agriculture for small acreages and adding new enterprises to existing farm operations. Sessions will be held once a week for four weeks during the month of March. Each session will run from 6:30 pm until 9:00 pm. This workshop will be held at two locations, one in each EERA. The Putnam County Extension office in Ottawa, Ohio will be the site on Mondays, March 7, 14, 21 & 28. EHOVE Career Center in Milan, Ohio will be the site on Tuesdays, March 8, 15, 22, & 29. The same program is offered at each site. The topics taught at each site will include: developing real-life expectations for your farm, as well as a business plan for your operation, selecting agricultural enterprises, developing budgets, marketing your product through direct marketing tools, and resources that are available. Cost is $50 with each additional registrant from the family or operation at $30. Participants will receive 10 hours of classroom instruction, a resource notebook (1 per family), connections to people and resources who will provide insight to helping you grow your idea into a business, and light refreshments. Registration deadline is March 1, 2011. To register contact Alan Sundermeier at- telephone 419-354-9050 or e-mail sund...
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February 2011, Upcoming Events

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Jan

24

2011

Small Farmer Conferences to be held in March

by Tony Nye, OSU Extension Educator

Ohio State University Extension will host two conferences in March dedicated to small farm landowners. The first conference is the third annual “Opening Doors to Success” Small Farm Conference and Trade Show to be held March 11-12 at Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio. The conference will feature 38 breakout sessions and a trade show for small farmers. The conference kicks off on Friday, March 11 at 5:30 p.m. with a session, “Get Ready – Get Set – Get Market Ready” – an evening dedicated to investigating opportunities for marketing beyond the farm gate. Saturday , March 12 will feature over 35 breakout sessions offered throughout the day and will cover a variety of topics that will include such examples as: Growing Grapes/Making Wine; Agritourism; Bee Keeping; Poultry Production; Biosecurity for Livestock; Berry Production; Equipment Needs; Food Preservation; Food Safety; Cherry Production; Agricultural Law Considerations; Insurance Issues; Pumpkin, Sweet Corn and Tomato Production; Alternative Energy Sources; Meat Marketing, Pasture and Hay Production; Local Foods; Social Media Marketing; Financial Management; Organic Dairy: Livestock Production; Grants and Loans and so much more. The program is co-sponsored by OSU Extension Small Farm Program; Wilmington College; Farm Credit Services of Mid-America; and the U.S. Department of Agriculture offices of the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Agriculture Statist...
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February 2011, Newsletters, Upcoming Events

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Jan

07

2011

Cover Crops Part of 2011 Conservation Tillage Conference

by Gene McCluer, OSU Extension Educator

With dozens of cover crop varieties available with a whole host of benefits ideal in a number of cropping systems, choosing the right variety for the farm can be a daunting task. Farmers interested in cover crops will have a daylong educational session on cover crop management available at the Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference (CTTC) in Ada. The CTTC will be held Feb. 24-25 at the McIntosh Center of Ohio Northern University in Ada. The cover crops sessions will be held Feb. 24 from 8:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Farmers attending this session are invited to stay for a cover crop meeting and networking, starting at 6:00 pm. Randall Reeder, an Ohio State University Extension agricultural engineer and organizer of the conference, said that the cover crops session is an opportunity for growers to learn about the benefits of cover crops, how they can incorporate the right cover crop into their cropping system, and how to manage cover crops efficiently and profitably. "Our goal is to increase cover crop acreage in Ohio by 5,000 acres," said Reeder. "Cover crops offer much in terms of potential economic benefits as well as improvements in soil and water quality." Cover crops offer a myriad of benefits for field crops, especially in no-till production systems. They are excellent sources of nitrogen, have almost a 15:1 carbon-to-nitrogen ratio essential for maintaining soil quality, and they produce chemicals (allelochemicals) that are antagonistic to soil-borne ...
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January 2011, Upcoming Events

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Dec

01

2010

OSU Extension to Offer New Workshop for Women

by Julia Nolan Woodruff, Extension Educator, Erie County

After completing several years of Annie’s Project workshops, a new workshop focused on the topic of Financial Risk Management is being piloted this winter in four Ohio counties, Erie, Knox, Ross and Wood. The Farm Finance for Women workshops are designed as a "next step" for women who have participated in Annie's Project, but will be open to anyone. There are no prerequisites for the workshop, but there will be hands on learning opportunities and homework! The workshop consists of four classes held once a week in the evening. The overall objective of the workshop is to help participants to learn how to gather and organize financial information. As a result, they will be able to use this information as a basis on which to make farm decisions, not just for tax management purposes. Specific topics will address: cash flow, how we manage money for both family living and the business, balance sheet and income statement development, Quicken basics for farm recordkeeping, figuring financial ratios, and benchmarking your numbers against other farms that are similar to yours. The workshop will wrap up with a local ag lender discussing the need for the information provided by the financial statements that the participants have learned how to develop throughout the class. Registration will be conducted by each host county and will be limited to 10 -12 women per county. The small class size will enable more interaction and computer time. The registration fee will be $50 per perso...
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December 2010, Upcoming Events

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Nov

22

2010

Agricultural Policy & Outlook meetings to be held across Ohio

by Stan Ernst

The following Agricultural Policy & Outlook meetings have been scheduled. Costs for meal and materials varies by location. Contact the local coordinator to register. For more information on the OSU Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics’ Outlook Program, e-mail Program Leader Stan Ernst at Ernst.1@osu.edu. Nov. 30… 9 a.m. start at Union County Service Center, 940 London Avenue, Marysville. Registration: Jon Rausch, OSU Ext - Union Co. at (937) 644-8117. Speakers: Carl Zulauf (Grains Outlook), Barry Ward (Land Prices & Inputs Outlook), , Cam Thraen (Dairy Price Outlook). Dec. 1… dinner at Ohio Christian University, Leadership Center, 1476 Lancaster Pike, Circleville, Ohio 43113. Registration: Mike Estadt, OSU Ext - Pickaway Co. at (740) 474-7534. Speakers: Carl Zulauf (Grains Outlook), Barry Ward (Land Prices & Inputs Outlook), Ian Sheldon (World financial situation & shadow banking). Dec. 6…dinner at Jewell Community Center, 7900 Independence Rd., Jewell, OH 43530. Registration: Bruce Clevenger - OSU Ext - Definance Co. at (419) 782-4771. Speakers: Carl Zulauf (Grains Outlook), Barry Ward (Land Prices & Inputs Outlook), Carl Zulauf (Policy). Dec. 7…lunch at Fraternal Order of Eagles Club, 400 East Lake Dr., Ashland, OH 44805. Registration: John Augenstein, Sutton Bank at (419) 207-3644. Speakers: Carl Zulauf (Grains Outlook), Barry Ward (Land Prices & Inputs Outlook), Cam Thraen (Dairy Price Outlook)....
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December 2010, Upcoming Events

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Nov

22

2010

Farm Outlook Meeting to be held in Pickaway County

by Mike Estadt, OSU Extension Educator

Farmers, agribusinesses and others in the agricultural industry located in Central Ohio have the opportunity to learn more about ag markets, economics and policy at an Ohio State University 2011 Farm Outlook meeting.

The program hosted by Ohio State University Extension Pickaway County with presentations from Ohio State’s Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics.

Topics covered will include grain markets, farm inputs, land values, and an outlook to the 2012 Farm Bill. The program will be held on December 1 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Leadership Center on the campus of Ohio Christian University, 1476 Lancaster Pike, Circleville, Ohio. Pre-registration is $25 per person or $30 per person at the door.

The program will feature the following speakers: Carl Zulauf, OSU Extension agricultural economist, who will discuss Grain Market outlook; Barry Ward, OSU Extension agricultural economist, discussing Why Farmland Values Will Never Fall and discuss Crop Inputs; Carl Zulauf, OSU Extension agricultural economist, who will present an Eye on the Horizon or Sunset: 2012 Farm Bill. Ian Sheldon will follow up last year’s program with his thoughts on the world financial crisis and the possible effect on agricultural trade.

Registration deadline is November 29th . For more information on the meeting, contact OSU Extension Pickaway County at (740) 474-7534, estadt.3@cfaes.osu.edu, or log on to http://pick.osu.edu/

December 2010, Upcoming Events

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Nov

22

2010

The Ohio State University announces the 2011 Southern Ohio New and Small Farm Colleges

by Tony Nye, OSU Extension Educator

Are you a small farm landowner wondering what to do with your acreage? Are you interested in exploring options for land uses but not sure where to turn or how to begin? Have you considered adding an agricultural or horticultural enterprise but you just aren’t sure what is required, from an equipment, labor, and/or management perspective? Are you looking for someplace to get basic farm information? If you or someone you know answered yes to any of these questions, then the OSU Extension Small Farm College program may be just what you are looking for. OSU Extension is offering a program targeted at the new and small farmer. The Southern Ohio New and Small Farm College is an 8 week program that introduces new and even seasoned farmers to a wide variety of topics. The program will teach participants how to set goals, plan, budget, and where to find resources available for them if they chose to start a small farming operation. The courses will layout how to manage financial and farm records. Extension Educators will illustrate many different enterprises that can be profitable on land as small as one acre. The educators will show the benefits and pitfalls of each enterprise so that the participant will be able to pick and chose what may work best for them and what suits their interest. To round out the experience, a bus tour will be held around area farms so that participants can see first hand how small farm life works, and also make contacts of practicing farmers in...
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December 2010, Upcoming Events

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Nov

22

2010

Ohio Farm Management Conference

by John Yost, OSU Extension Educator

The Ohio State University Extension and the OSU Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Developmental Economics have scheduled the first Ohio Farm Management Conference for January 25th and 26th, 2011 at the University Plaza Hotel in Columbus, Ohio.

The event is designed to provide livestock and row crop producers, as well as agribusiness professionals, a competitive edge in the financial and operational management of their farming business. Presentations will focus on employee management, farm transition planning, the public perception of agriculture, and agricultural and environmental policy.

Participants will be able to attend six general sessions, and choose between 12 breakout sessions during the two day conference. The speakers highlighted at the conference include: Dr. Brent Gloy of Purdue University, Dr. Brent Sohngen of OSU Dept of Agricultural Environmental and Developmental Economics, Mike Zuzolo of Global Commodity Analytics & Consulting LLC, and David Oppedahl of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, as well as specialist from Ohio State University Extension and the OSU Department of Agricultural Environmental and Developmental Economics.

Descriptions of the conference’s breakout, and general sessions, as well as registration information can be found on the Ohio Ag Manager website at http://ohioagmanager.osu.edu. For questions regarding the conference, contact John Yost at 740-335-1150 or e-mail at yost.77@osu.edu.

December 2010, Newsletters, Upcoming Events

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Nov

05

2010

2nd Annual OSU Animal Welfare Symposium for Dairy and Livestock Producers and Large Animal Veterinarians

Plan to join producers, veterinarians, and others on Tuesday, November 30th at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center in Columbus. This year's event will focus on two emerging issues for the livestock industries, handling of disabled or non-ambulatory animals, and euthanasia. Featured at this year’s Symposium is Dr. Temple Grandin, Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University and well-known animal handling expert. Also presenting will be Dr. Jan Shearer, Professor and Dairy Extension Veterinary Specialist at Iowa State University, who will share his knowledge of appropriate methods of euthanasia, and considerations for when euthanasia should occur. The latest research findings from surveys of consumers and the implications for the livestock industries will also be presented. Dr. Linda Lobao, Professor of Rural Sociology at The Ohio State University, will focus on results from Ohio, and Mr. Charlie Arnot, CEO of The Center for Food Integrity, will share results from national studies. An update on the activities of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board will also be given. There will be ample time for audience interaction with all of the speakers, and the Symposium will deliver practical advice and answer commonly-asked questions about how best to handle and manage compromised animals. The intended audiences for the Symposium are livestock producers and large animal veterinarians (the Symposium is approved for Continuing Education credit). ...
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November 2010, Upcoming Events

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Nov

05

2010

2011 Farm Outlook Meeting Slated for NW Ohio

by Bruce Clevenger, OSU Extension Educator, Defiance County

Farmers, agribusinesses and others in the industry located in northwest Ohio have the opportunity to learn more about ag markets, economics and policy at an Ohio State University 2011 Farm Outlook meeting.

The program hosted by Ohio State University Extension Defiance County with presentations from Ohio State’s Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics. Topics covered will include grain markets, farm inputs, land values, and an outlook to the 2012 Farm Bill. The program will be held on December 6 from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Jewell Community Center, 7900 Independence Road in Jewell, Defiance County, OH. (http://mapq.st/h/10-anlp4VLl). Pre-registration is $15 per person or $30 per person at the door.

The program will feature the following speakers: Carl Zulauf, OSU Extension agricultural economist, who will discuss Grain Market outlook; Barry Ward, OSU Extension agricultural economist, discussing Why Farmland Values Will Never Fall and discuss Crop Inputs; Carl Zulauf, OSU Extension agricultural economist, who will present an Eye on the Horizon or Sunset: 2012 Farm Bill.

Registration deadline is December 3. For more information on the meeting, contact OSU Extension Defiance County at (419) 782-4771, clevenger.10@osu.edu, or log on to http://defiance.osu.edu/

November 2010, Upcoming Events

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Nov

05

2010

2010 Agricultural Tax Issues Workshops

by David Marrison, OSU Extension Educator

Tax practitioners with an interest in farm income taxes will have an opportunity to attend a one day farm tax workshop scheduled for Monday, December 13, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in eight locations across Ohio. This workshop will be taught by Dr. Phil Harris, Professor of Agricultural Economics, University of Wisconsin via tele-conference. This program has been designed for tax practitioners who have a significant number of farm clients and therefore need a substantial amount of information on agricultural tax issues. Participants will hear an audiotape of a live lecture given by Phil Harris, supplemented with a showing of the slide presentation Dr. Harris used during his lecture. Dr. Harris will be available for questions during two conference calls during the day, and OSU faculty will be in the meeting rooms to answer questions. Registrants will receive a valuable 236 page supplemental book. Some of the topics at these workshops include: new legislation and its affect on agricultural businesses, depreciation and Section 179 expensing, wind turbines and wind farms, deduction issues, weather related sales, payment of agricultural wages with commodities, energy incentives, contract and custom farming, gifts of commodities, sale versus lease of equipment by retiring farms, and farm income averaging. The locations for the 2010 Agricultural Issues Workshops are: Caldwell, Ohio OSU Extension South Central Region Office Columbus, Ohio OSU Campus- Room 105Agr...
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November 2010, Tax Management, Upcoming Events

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Information presented above and where trade names are used, they are supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University Extension is implied.

Ohio State University Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all research and related educational programs are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or veteran status. This statement is in accordance with United States Civil Rights Laws and the USDA.

Keith L. Smith, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Director, Ohio State University Extension TDD No. 800-589-8292 ( Ohio only) or 614-292-1868