Ohio Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program

The Beginning Farmer Tax Credit program was created through House Bill 95, signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine on April 21, 2022. This is a state income tax credit offered in two categories: (1) beginning farmers who attend an ODA-approved financial management program receive a tax credit for the cost of the program; and (2) individuals or businesses that sell or rent farmland, livestock, buildings, or equipment to a beginning farmer receive a credit. Administered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Office of Farmland Preservation. Amounts are set as tax credits in statute; no absolute per-recipient dollar award is published.

A beginning farmer is a resident of Ohio; is seeking entry into farming or has less than 10 years experience as a farm owner/operator; farms or intends to farm on land in Ohio; is not a partner, member, shareholder, or trustee of the assets they seek to purchase or rent; has a total net worth of less than $800,000 (including spouse and dependent assets, adjusted for inflation annually); provides the majority of daily physical labor and management of the farm; has adequate farming experience; submits projected earnings statements; demonstrates farming will be a significant source of income; and participates in an ODA-approved financial management program. A separate Asset Owner category applies to those who sell or rent agricultural assets to a beginning farmer.

A beginning farmer submits a completed Beginning Farmer Tax Credit application (PDF) with required attachments to ODA at BeginningFarmer@agri.ohio.gov. ODA reviews the application; once approved, a tax credit certificate is issued. Asset owners use the Asset Transfer Form.