WILMINGTON, Ohio — Ohio farmers wondering about such things as weather projections, crop values and liability laws will find answers at The Ohio State University Extension Regional Ag Outlook and Policy Meetings scheduled to take place around the state beginning this month and ending in March. 

Barry Ward, a specialist in farm tax management, will offer tips, tools and information to help farmers manage their farms. Ward will address farm inputs and land economics, farmland lease issues, crop economics, crop and livestock enterprise budgeting.

Ward is director of the OSU Income Tax School, where he provides tax education on critical issues for Ohio’s agricultural sector.

Attendees with questions about weather patterns and wet conditions next spring will want to lend an ear to Aaron Wilson, a research scientist at the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center who has a joint appointment in the OSU Extension. Using intricate climate models, Wilson’s research focuses on weather patterns and climate changes in Ohio.

“I connect my love of weather and climate with the agricultural community throughout Ohio to provide data when needed and increase the understanding of how changing climate is impacting farmers across the state,” Wilson said.

Peggy Hall is an associate professor and field specialist in agricultural and resource law.

“I’m constantly challenged by the increasing social and environmental demands places upon those engaged in agricultural production,” Hall said. “GMOs, animal welfare, local foods, sustainability, nutrient regulation – there are so many highly visible and often controversial issues that affect agricultural production.”

Hall will be on hand to answer key questions regarding such things as fence laws, property issues, ensuing policies and even legal outcomes as they relate to Ohio’s farmers.

Carl Zulauf, a professor emeritus in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics at OSU, will address commercial agricultural policy. His areas of specialization also include commodity futures and options markets.

With solar farm spreading across the state, Eric Romich, statewide energy specialist for the OSU College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) will be on hand to discuss the Senate Bill 52 Solar Farm legislation. The new state law allows county government to designate restricted areas where utility-scale solar or wind facilities cannot be located. Peggy Hall is expected to weigh in on this discussion as well.

“This bill attempts to address changes in the rural landscape,” Hall said. “We have a division occurring across Ohio – those who stand to benefit financially from a lease that would allow for solar and wind development on their land and those who don’t want it, at least not in their area. This creates friction.”

Robert Moore, an attorney with the law firm Wright & Moore Law Company, will speak about farm transition. He will discuss farm communication issues and lead attendees with strategies in dealing with those communication issues. Most importantly, he will illustrate how to transition the management of the farm to the next generation, how to split the farm when one has both on-farm and off-farm heirs. He will also touch on legal options involving wills and trusts.

Ben Brown, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Agricultural Risk Management in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics at Ohio State University, will share his outlook for the 2022 grain marketing season.

“I work with agricultural producers and agribusinesses on risk management topics related to markets, finances and agricultural policies,” Brown said. “Solving problems is what drives me.”

Matt Roberts of The Kernmantle Group will also discuss grain marketing. Roberts is a nationally-renowned expert and speaker on the grain and energy markets. He is an active speaker, appearing approximately 50 times per year around the nation on grain, petroleum and biofuels markets. He is an active consultant to the commodity industry.

Dianne Shoemaker, Associate Professor, Field Specialist and expert in Dairy Production Economics at Ohio State University, has a strong industry relationship and collaboration with Ohio dairy farmers, will provide insight into Ohio’s dairy economy and outlook for 2022.

The eight meeting locations include:

Wayne County: Jan. 13, Buckeye Ag Museum, Wooster

Clinton County: Jan. 14, OSU Extension Office, Wilmington

Union/Madison/Champaign counties: Jan. 28, Der Dutchman Restaurant, Plain City

Defiance County: Jan. 31, Jewell Community Center, Defiance

Crawford County: Feb. 1, Wayside Chapel Community Center, Bucyrus

Pickaway County, Feb. 2, Emmett Chapel, Circleville

Muskingum County, Feb. 14, Muskingum County Convention Center, Zanesville

Darke County, March 25, Romers Catering, Greenville

For more details including times for each session visit https://u.osu edu/ohioagma ager/2021/12/27/2022-agricultural-outlook-and-policy-meetings-set-to-kickoff/