Stories by Chris Zoller

(Chris Zoller is an agricultural extension educator in Tuscarawas County and a member of the OSU Extension DairyExcel team.)

Read this before you sign that pipeline easement lease

Friday, April 26, 2013 by Chris Zoller

Does anyone really understand the convoluted legal language in pipeline lease agreements? You’d better try. Here’s what landowners should include to protect themselves.

‘What’s a fair price to pay to rent farmland in eastern Ohio?’ Well, it depends…

Thursday, March 14, 2013 by Chris Zoller

Just because one farmer offers to pay more per acre doesn’t necessarily mean they will care for the land like someone who offers less per acre.

What does it take to lead on your farm?

Thursday, January 17, 2013 by Chris Zoller

I recently saw an article by Stan Moore from Michigan State University Extension that addressed the topic of leadership on farms. This is a topic many farm managers struggle with, but is one of the critical functions that all farm managers must perform well. Below is the article Moore wrote for the Michigan State University [...]

Oil or gas lease or royalty payments? The taxman cometh

Wednesday, November 21, 2012 by Chris Zoller

Making management decisions to minimize taxes is wise; evading tax is not. Landowners who have signed gas and oil leases, or are getting royalties, need to give some thought to tax management on the payments received.

What makes them tick? Not all employees motivated by same thing

Thursday, October 11, 2012 by Chris Zoller

Farm managers able to motivate their workers have a better chance of reducing the typical labor problems faced in today’s economy (turnover, absenteeism, and low productivity). The most common roadblock managers face when motivating employees is a tendency to assume that all are motivated by the same thing. University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers examined leader and [...]

What if a family member wants to exit the family farm business?

Thursday, August 23, 2012 by Chris Zoller

Family businesses are complex, challenging, rewarding and often gratifying, and many parents often desire for their children to continue the business. However, like some marriages, they don’t always work. Finances, poor communications, personal goals, leadership styles, management philosophy, and life changes are but a few of the reasons these separations occur. Suggestions So, if you [...]

Should you consider an ag district?

Thursday, July 5, 2012 by Chris Zoller

Enrolling in an agricultural district makes sense for Ohio farmers to consider. It is a program that provides protections, doesn’t cost anything to apply, and the application form is simple to complete.

OSU Extension — your source for information on gas and oil exploration

Thursday, May 17, 2012 by Chris Zoller

OSU Extension — your source for information about gas, oil exploration “Should I lease my land for oil and gas exploration?” “How much should I get for a lease?” “What should the lease include?” “Will I owe tax on the money I receive?” “What should I know about pipelines?” These are but a few of [...]

Considerations prior to signing pipeline easements

Thursday, March 29, 2012 by Chris Zoller

Shale signs: What to know when you’re contacted to sign an easement agreement with a company granting the right to have a pipeline constructed on part of your land.

Learning opportunities available to farm managers in February and March

Thursday, February 2, 2012 by Chris Zoller

What a winter we have had so far. I think many of us would like for winter set in and the ground to freeze until spring. Dealing with all the rain and mud has made things difficult.