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A new statewide initiative, the Ohio Farm Transition Network, has officially launched operations to address one of the most pressing challenges facing Ohio agriculture: helping farm families successfully plan for the transition of their farms to the next generation.

Agricultural leaders from across Ohio have come together around a shared commitment to help farm families plan for the future by working from the same playbook. This collaboration aligns organizations, service providers, and educators around common language, expectations and approaches to farm transition planning, reducing confusion for farmers and strengthening outcomes.

“Farm families are best served when the industry is aligned and working together,” said Tim Hicks with Ohio Farm Bureau. “This collaborative effort reflects a shared responsibility to provide clear, consistent guidance that helps farmers make informed decisions and move confidently into the next generation.”

The Ohio Farm Transition Network will:

• Train and support attorneys, accountants, lenders, financial advisors, insurance professionals, Extension educators, and other agricultural service providers involved in farm transition planning
• Standardize terminology and best practices to improve the quality and reliability of transition planning services
• Serve as a statewide clearinghouse of educational resources and qualified service providers
• Increase awareness of the importance of proactive farm transition planning
• Measure progress and impact through data collection and reporting on completed transition plans

“OFTN exists to help farm families navigate the complex financial, legal, and personal decisions involved in passing a farm from one generation to the next,” said David Marrison, OSU farm management specialist and interim director of the Farm Financial Management and Policy Institute. “By strengthening the professionals who support farm families and coordinating efforts across the agricultural community, OFTN will help preserve Ohio farms for future generations.”

In its first year, Ohio Farm Transition Network will offer professional training workshops, develop a comprehensive website, grow a statewide membership of trained service providers, and support the completion of farm transition plans across Ohio.

The Ohio Farm Transition Network was established through the collaboration of the following founding members:

• AgCredit
• Farm Credit Mid-America
• Nationwide
• Ohio Corn and Wheat
• Ohio Department of Agriculture
• Ohio Farm Bureau
• Ohio Soybean Council
• Ohio State Bar Association/Agricultural Law Committee
• Ohio State University Extension
• USDA/Farm Service Agency

Funding for OFTN is generously provided by AgCredit, Farm Credit Mid-America, Nationwide, Ohio Corn and Wheat, and Ohio Soybean Council.

Together, all these organizations share a commitment to collaboration, education, and long-term sustainability for Ohio agriculture.

For more information about the Ohio Farm Transition Network, upcoming programs, or membership opportunities, contact David Marrison ([email protected]) or Robert Moore ([email protected]).