Ohio farm scene

It’s pretty much a given that with every new presidential administration, the direction for major national policy will see some changes. Many of those policies have an impact on agriculture in one way, shape or form. Some of the initial language of President Joe Biden’s tax plan have farmers concerned, especially when it comes to something called stepped-up basis.

“Stepped-up basis is used when you inherit an asset, where instead of the tax basis being applied for what an asset was originally purchased for, the basis gets stepped up to the market value at the time of inheritance,” said Brandon Kern, senior director of state and national policy with Ohio Farm Bureau. “For example, if Dad bought farmland for $2,000 an acre 30 years ago, you could inherit that farm now worth $7,000 an acre. Stepped-up basis says that at the time you inherit that farm, that $7,000 an acre becomes the basis for what you could be taxed for that asset should you sell it and achieve a capital gain.“

For decades, stepped-up basis has created a significant tax break for those inheriting an asset such as farmland, and the removal of it could put a huge burden on family farms across Ohio, which often find themselves land rich and cash poor.

“After a farm is passed down, some upgrades to equipment or technology may be needed to keep the operation running efficiently,“ Kern said. “That may require selling off some ground in order to generate the capital to make those upgrades. Without stepped-up basis, showing the capital gains for the sale of that land is a pricey tax proposition and could hinder that farm’s progress.“

Kern said Farm Bureau is watching this issue vigilantly, and he and his team will activate members to make their voices heard should actual proposals come forward that would make these detrimental changes to current tax policy.

ONLINE EXTRA

Labor has always been an issue, mainly because we are a seasonal operation. So that's a challenge finding somebody who only wants to work three months out of a year, sometimes up to six months.
Mandy Way's avatar
Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
I appreciate the benefit of having a strong voice in my corner. The extras that are included in membership are wonderful, but I'm a member because of the positive impact to my local and state agricultural communities.
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Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
I see the value and need to be engaged in the community I live in, to be a part of the decision-making process and to volunteer with organizations that help make our community better.
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Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
Farm Bureau involvement has taught me how to grow my professional and leadership experience outside of the workforce and how to do that in a community-centric way.
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Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
With not growing up on a farm, I’d say I was a late bloomer to agriculture. I feel so fortunate that I found the agriculture industry. There are so many opportunities for growth.
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Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
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Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
If it wasn't for Farm Bureau, I personally, along with many others, would not have had the opportunity to meet with our representatives face to face in Washington.
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Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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