Legal with Leah: Open Burning Laws
Ohio has some specific rules and regulations around open burning. What you can burn and where?
Read MoreGrowing Forward program gives young, beginning and small farmers a strong start
Farming is hard. Building a business as a small farmer, or starting from scratch as a young or beginning farmer? Even harder.
The barriers to entry – expensive capital investments like land and equipment – can make farming one of the most challenging industries to break into, but a new and growing generation of young, beginning and small farmers are necessary to ensure the future of Ohio’s vital agriculture industry. And it’s why Farm Credit Mid-America’s Growing Forward program – geared specifically toward this group – is so critical.
“It’s not easy to just go out and decide you’re going to buy a farm one day,” said Micah Mensing, the cooperative’s Growing Forward specialist in Ohio. “By partnering with our team, customers gain access to expertise that will guide them through the process from start to finish.”
Growing Forward, which is free to qualifying Farm Credit Mid-America customers, provides content, curriculum and training to help young, beginning and small farmers gain the financial acumen and business know-how necessary to run a successful operation. Specialists like Mensing work with growers on everything from the importance of balance sheets and how to fill them out, to understanding the ins and outs of the loan application process. They also help farmers create business plans, set goals and factor in non-farm-related expenses – like car purchases and school loans – to ensure they reach those goals.
“We’re not here to show you how to plant the seed; we teach you how to do everything else before that seed is planted,” Mensing explained. “Sometimes the difference between making money and not is in the bookwork. It’s understanding your expenses and revenues, and managing them to make sure you’re profitable.”
The program also provides sound and constructive credit for these farmers through individualized credit programs and products such as specialized underwriting standards and a Farm Service Agency loan guarantee reimbursement of 50% for young or beginning farmers.
In Farm Credit Mid-America’s four-state territory of Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, there are more than 280,000 young, beginning and small farmers. In Ohio alone, Farm Credit Mid-America lent $3.9 billion to young and beginning farmers in 2020. With the older generation of farmers retiring, giving the next generation a solid foundation is key to success. And Farm Credit Mid-America is committed to not only getting these farmers started, but growing alongside them.
“It’s our mission to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture,” Mensing said, “and Growing Forward is how we do that.”
To learn more about Growing Forward, visit e-farmcredit.com/growing-forward or call your local Farm Credit Mid-America loan office.
Ohio has some specific rules and regulations around open burning. What you can burn and where?
Read MoreBack Ohio dairy farmers by asking your member of Congress to support the Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act.
Read MoreThe elite leadership program was started in 2008 to help agricultural advocates gain influence over public policy issues that impact their businesses and communities.
Read MoreThis is the 36th consecutive year that profits have been distributed to borrower-owners.
Read MoreOhio Farm Bureau is encouraging members to share how rural broadband investment has impacted their homes and businesses, and where more work can be done to advance access to rural broadband.
Read MoreIn addition to the testimony in support of HB 64, Ohio Farm Bureau is asking members to contact their state representative to voice their support for eminent domain reform.
Read MoreSoil and water tests are being developed and conducted, site run-off monitoring is taking place, and livestock have shown no signs of illness or lingering effects from the aftermath of the derailment itself or the chemical burn-off that followed.
Read MoreIt’s important for a landowner to work with a specialist who can best identify the risks and put a protection plan in place.
Read MoreOhio Farm Bureau’s farmer leaders will be in the nation’s capital March. 7-9, 2023 for the annual County Presidents Trip to Washington, D.C.
Read MoreAs information continues to be updated, Ohio Farm Bureau will continue to share all of the resources that have been gathered to this point
Read More