WILMINGTON, Ohio – A serious heart-related illness in the winter of 2018 was a shocking wakeup call for OSU extension agent Tony Nye. It nearly brought his 50-acre farm operation in Fayette County to a screeching halt.

“I was as close to knocking on the Pearly Gates as possible before I turned the corner,” Nye recalled. After surgery, he lost both weight and strength and spent a month in the hospital. He wasn’t able to return to the farm to tend to business for nearly six months.

At his farm Nye raises meat goats and artificially breeds purebred swine. His swine herd consists of 20 sows and a boar stud. The farm includes grain production as well.

“Fortunately I am still among the living and our farm is still operating,” he said. “Lots of decisions had to be made quickly and, honestly, we were not prepared.”

Luckily for his family, his then 17-year-old son stepped in to care for the livestock during his dad’s illness, chores that included feeding and watering during the winter months, farrowing numerous pig litters and making vital decisions related to animal health, finances and marketing.

After that near devastating ordeal, Nye began sharing the “what ifs” and the impacts it had on his family farm in front of both small- and large-scale farm gatherings. He spoke at the Farm Science Review (FSR) in 2019. His topic at FSR was “Be Prepared if Tragedy Strikes on the Farm.”

“I decided to use my scenario to jump-start people’s thinking,” Nye said. “My presentation received a lot of attention. I used my presentation at many events to start the discussion with people to get their affairs at the farm in order.”

Nye encouraged those in his audiences to recognize the critical importance of communications and talk openly about the “what ifs.” Nye worked with OSU extension specialist David Marrison at several functions, stressing to audiences the need for a plan in the event of a tragedy and how important it is to identify who will make the day-to-day decisions and other key people who should be involved. Also, discuss if there is someone who wants to keep the farm up and running.

“If farmers don’t talk about it ahead of time, how can they plan for it?” Nye said.

Nye stressed the importance of understanding each other’s role and performance expectations. Families should evaluate the situation from the standpoint of both financial and physical labor challenges. Written goals and objectives should be on hand to help guide necessary decisions. He strongly suggested drawing up a will to help the family know what to do in the event of death. Consider a lawyer or tax preparer to discuss financial and legal decisions.

Finally, Nye encouraged his audiences to compile a list of the farm’s support network including individuals such as an attorney, veterinarian, insurance agent, seed and fertilizer dealer, neighbors and the local extension educator.

“Farmers need to realize that they aren’t invincible and should recognize the importance of family communication and contingency plans,” he said. “Tragedy can mean many things on a farm – everything from a barn fire and severe illness to a car accident, death or lost crop due to hail or a windstorm. Any of these things can create financial and physical stress for the family.

“When it comes to estate planning, farmers often only think about retirement and who to pass the farm to. Much more should be addressed. Written directives are so very important. They require communication and transparency among all family members.”

Nye is also the statewide small farm coordinator for OSU Extension.