News Tips and Events

Tip 1: Keeping Farms Viable: Given the dip in commodity prices, farmers seeking ways to increase profits and cut costs can turn to a CFAES program that aims to help farms be more profitable. The Ohio Farm Business Analysis and Benchmarking program provides a business analysis for each participating farm so farmers can gain insights on where they might cut their costs and grow their business. Contact Dianne Shoemaker, program leader at shoemaker.3@osu.edu or 330-533-5538.

Tip 2: Women in Ag: March is Women’s History Month. Emily Adams, an OSU Extension educator who works with CFAES’s Women in Ag program, can discuss the increase in the number of women farmers in Ohio. Among all of Ohio’s farms, 40 percent are managed or partly managed by women. Nationally, women made up almost one third of all farmers, according to 2012 census data, the most recent year available. Contact Adams at adams.661@osu.edu or 740-622-2265.

March 2018 events

1 Ag Data Coalition Seminar: Putting Farmers in the Driver’s Seat, The Ohio State University, Columbus Campus, Kottman Hall, Room 102, 3 p.m. Those unable to attend in person can view the seminar via Zoom at go.osu.edu/AgDataSem. More information: Call Joy Bauman, 740-289-2071, ext. 111, or visit go.osu.edu/AgDataSeminarMar012018.

6-7 Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference, McIntosh Center, Ohio Northern University, 402 West College Ave., Ada. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Early registration by Feb. 22: $65 per day or $85 for both days. After Feb. 22: $80 per day or $105 for both days. More information: fabe.osu.edu/CTCon.

8 Pruning Workshop, Jack and Deb Miller Pavilion, Secrest Arboretum, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, CFAES Wooster Campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, 8 a.m. to noon. Registration required. $25 for members of Friends of Secrest Arboretum; $30 for nonmembers. More information: secrest.osu.edu/events/pruning-workshop.

14 Ohio & West Virginia Food Hub Network Meeting: Growing Growers, Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, The Ohio State University, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. $15, which includes lunch and workshop materials. Preregistration is required. Register by March 6. More information: Call Joy Bauman, 740-289-2071, ext. 111, or visit cooperatives.cfaes.ohio-state.edu/events/ohio-west-virginia-food-hub-network-meeting.

15 Transitioning Small Business Using Worker Ownership Workshop, The Blennerhassett Hotel, Alexander Parker Room, 320 Market St., Parkersburg, West Virginia, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. $30. Register by March 7. More information: Call Joy Bauman, 740-289-2071, ext. 111, or visit cooperatives.cfaes.ohio-state.edu/events/transitioning-small-business-using-worker-ownership.

17 Ohio River Valley Woodland and Wildlife Workshop, Oasis Conference Center, 902 Loveland-Miamiville Road, Loveland, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. $45 by Feb. 28; $55 after Feb. 28; includes continental breakfast and lunch. Final deadline to register is March 9. More information: go.osu.edu/2018WoodlandWildlife.

21-22 Ohio Compost Operator Education Course, Shisler Center, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, CFAES Wooster Campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster. $225 for members of Organics Recycling Association of Ohio; $275 for nonmembers; all materials, continental breakfast and lunch included. Final deadline to register is March 8. More information: go.osu.edu/2018CompostCourse.

23 Floral Arranging Workshop, Jack and Deb Miller Pavilion, Secrest Arboretum, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, CFAES Wooster Campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, 9 a.m. to noon. Registration required. $25 for members of Friends of Secrest Arboretum; $30 for nonmembers. More information: secrest.osu.edu/events/pruning-workshop.

April 2018 events

25-27 National Farm to Cafeteria, Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Cincinnati, 5:30-7 p.m on April 25, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m on April 26, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 27. $250 due by March 9, with additional costs for field trips and short courses. After March 9, registration $300, plus any additional costs for field trips and short courses. More information: go.osu.edu/farm2school-conference.