Sarah Noggle is an OSU Extension Educator serving Paulding County, Ohio, where she works directly with farm families and agricultural businesses on farm management, risk mitigation, and long-term planning. Through her role with Ohio State University Extension, Sarah provides research-based education and practical guidance to help producers navigate complex decisions that affect both the profitability and longevity of their operations.
Credentials
IFTN Certified Farm Succession Coordinator
Mental Health First Aid
Communicating with Farms Under Stress Certification
Board Member for the State of Ohio Agriculture Mental Health Alliance
QPR Certified (Question, Persuade, Refer)
Experience
Sarah has experience supporting farm families in areas that are critical to successful transition planning, including financial management, farm business analysis, enterprise evaluation, and family communication around business goals. She regularly works with producers to evaluate their current operations, identify strengths and risks, and develop strategies that align with both economic viability and family priorities. A key part of Sarah’s work involves helping families begin and sustain conversations about the future of their farm. She understands that farm transition is not only a financial process, but also a deeply personal one that involves relationships, legacy, and planning across generations. Her approach is grounded in facilitation, education, and connecting families with the appropriate legal, financial, and technical resources needed to move forward.
What is the primary county for which your business is located? Paulding
In what counties are you willing to serve Ohio farm families?
Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Lucas, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, Williams and Wood
What services do you provide in this area?
As part of the Ohio Farm Transition Network, Sarah contributes to a collaborative system of service providers committed to improving access to high-quality transition planning across Ohio. She helps bridge the gap between farm families and professional advisors by providing education, organizing workshops, and serving as a trusted local resource who understands both the agricultural landscape and the unique needs of Northwest Ohio producers. Sarah is dedicated to helping farm families make informed decisions that preserve their operations, strengthen their businesses, and position the next generation for success.
Personal Statement
My philosophy on farm transition planning is rooted in the belief that a successful transition is not a single event, but an ongoing process that integrates family communication, business viability, and long-term vision. Every farm is unique, and effective transition planning must reflect the values, goals, and dynamics of the individual family while maintaining the economic sustainability of the operation.
I approach farm transition as both a business and a human process. While tools such as financial analysis, enterprise evaluation, and risk management are essential, meaningful progress only occurs when families are able to openly communicate about their goals, expectations, and concerns. Creating space for these conversations—often across generations—is one of the most important steps in building a workable transition plan.
In my work, I focus on helping farm families start where they are. Many operations have not yet formalized their goals or documented plans, so I use structured frameworks to guide discussions around visioning, goal setting, and identifying roles for current and future operators. I emphasize breaking the process into manageable steps, allowing families to build momentum rather than becoming overwhelmed by the complexity of full transition planning.
Some of the key strategies and techniques I implement include:
- Facilitated Family Communication: Guiding productive conversations that encourage transparency, active listening, and shared understanding among family members.
- Whole-Farm Business Analysis: Evaluating financial performance, enterprise contributions, and risk exposure to ensure the business can support transition goals.
- Goal Alignment and Visioning: Helping families define both individual and shared goals to create a clear path forward.
- Connecting to Professional Services: Linking families with attorneys, accountants, lenders, and other specialists when their expertise is needed to finalize plans.
- Education and Capacity Building: Providing research-based resources, workshops, and decision-making tools that empower families to take informed next steps.
I also recognize that trust and timing are critical. Not every family is ready to make decisions at the same pace, so I work to meet producers where they are, offering education and support that builds confidence over time. My role is not to make decisions for families, but to equip them with the tools, resources, and facilitation needed to make decisions that are right for them.
Ultimately, I am committed to helping farm families preserve their legacy, strengthen their business, and create opportunities for future generations. Through the Ohio Farm Transition Network, I value the opportunity to collaborate with other professionals to ensure that families have access to the comprehensive, high-quality support needed to successfully navigate the transition process.