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After multiple efforts to pass similar legislation didn’t pan out in 2019 or 2020, tax credit legislation to establish the next generation of farmers while helping the current generation transition their operations is up for consideration again in Columbus.
HB 95 establishes an income tax credit for beginning farmers who participate in a financial management program, administered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The bill also creates an income tax credit for established farmers who sell or rent agricultural assets to beginning farmers. Several Ohio Farm Bureau members testified this week in front of the Ohio House Agriculture and Conservation Committee in support of this legislation.
“Farm Service Agency provides opportunities for young and beginning farmers, but the time that it takes from application to loan closing is significantly longer than a traditional loan,” said Bennett and Liza Musselman during their testimony. They are part owners/operators of Musselman Farms in Pickaway County. “Young farmers have an added obstacle of finding a seller that is willing to wait additional days for a sale to be completed. The passage of HB 95 will give a financial incentive for sellers to work with a young beginning farmer, and thus help level the playing field.”
Bill specifics
If passed in its current form, a beginning farmer would have to intend to farm in Ohio, or have been farming in Ohio for less than 10 years, have a household net worth of less than $800,000, provide the majority of the day-to-day labor for and management of the farm, have adequate farming experience or demonstrate adequate knowledge about farming and participate in a financial management program approved by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
“The agriculture industry is extremely difficult to break into if you or your family do not have a background in farming,” said first-generation farmer Nathan Brown, who represents Farm Bureau members from Adams, Brown, Clermont and Highland counties on the OFBF board of trustees. “High amounts of capital are needed to invest in land, equipment, labor, crops or livestock, financial management plans and compliance with regulations, just to get started. New farmland is not readily available, so there is restricted access to the ground required, adding yet another barrier to individuals who are looking to start a career in farming. HB 95 gives beginning farmers a chance to pursue their passion and enter the agriculture industry.”
Next steps
The Ohio House Agriculture and Conservation Committee will continue to vet the bill, and then it will move to the House floor for consideration.
Photo: Pictured from left Rose Hartschuh, Bennett Musselman, Liza Musselman and Nathan Brown. The photo was taken prior to COVID-19.
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
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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