Tip 1: Animal expert and livestock guru Temple Grandin featured at September CHAIRE event. The annual fundraising event for The Ohio State University’s Center for Human-Animal Interactions Research and Education (CHAIRE) will focus on “Animals in Our Lives” on Sept. 30, from 5–8 p.m. at the Dave Thomas Conference Center, One Dave Thomas Blvd. in Dublin, Ohio. The program will include dinner, a silent auction, animal behaviorist Peter Neville, and animals from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Temple Grandin, a professor of animal science at Colorado State University and a world-renowned designer of livestock handling facilities, will give a presentation. Diagnosed with autism as a child, Grandin will talk about how her mind works, giving her the ability to “think in pictures,” which helps her solve problems that neurotypical brains might miss. She also has an extreme sensitivity to detail and environmental change, which she credits for her insight into the minds of cattle and other domesticated animals. In 2010, HBO released an Emmy Award-winning film on Grandin’s life, starring actress Claire Danes. Grandin’s six books, including Animals in Translation and Animals Make Us Human, have garnered critical acclaim. As a high-functioning autistic person, she argues that her contributions to the field of animal welfare would not have been possible without the insights and sensitivities that are a consequence of her autism. Seats are limited. Ticket information can be found at go.osu.edu/BYzq. Contact Kelly George, CHAIRE co-director, at 614-688-3224 or george.239@osu.edu, or contact Brittany Fischer, CHAIRE program coordinator, at 614-292-1073 or fischer.747@osu.edu. CHAIRE is housed in Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
Tip 2: Weather disasters, tariff hikes, lost markets, and price slumps add to farmer woes. CFAES is offering assistance to worried and anxious Ohio farmers and their families through its newly formed Rural and Farm Stress Task Force. Task force specialists can help connect those who might need emotional support to professionals either within Ohio State University Extension or within their communities. Learn more at go.osu.edu/BYzb, or contact OSU Extension educators Amanda Bohlen at bohlen.19@osu.edu or Emily Marrison at marrison.12@osu.edu, or contact OSU Extension specialist Dee Jepsen at jepsen.4@osu.edu. OSU Extension is the outreach arm of CFAES.
August 2019
21 New Pesticide Applicator Training, 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m., Ohio Department of Agriculture, Bromfield Administration Building, 8995 East Main St., Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Cost: $35, morning session; $30, afternoon session. Details: go.osu.edu/newpesttraining.
21 Hops Field Night, 5:30–8:30 p.m., 5082 Oil City Road, Wooster, Ohio. Information applicable to new and veteran hop growers as well as those interested in getting started. Sessions on galvanized trellis systems, hop mechanical harvesting demonstration, drying demonstration, insects and disease, pest management, nutrient management/fertigation demonstration, and drip irrigation management. Cost: $15 required by Aug. 20. Contact Charissa Gardner, program coordinator at South Centers, at 740-289-2071, ext. 132, or gardner.1148@osu.edu to register.
21 Agricultural Diversification Research Tour, 6-8 p.m., CFAES’ Mellinger Farm, 6886 W. Old Lincoln Way, Wooster, Ohio. Learn about trends in arthropods and plant species on pasture plots, yield of poultry, vegetables with no added fertilizers, inorganic pesticides, and ecosystem services. Free of charge. Details: go.osu.edu/C2ws.
22 Composting in Ohio: A Tour of the Industry, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., starting at Rust Belt Riders, 1288 Marquette St., Cleveland. Tour featuring stops at four northeast Ohio composting facilities, plus details and discussion from CFAES and industry experts. Stops will be at Rust Belt Riders and Rid-All Green Partnership in Cleveland, and at KB BioEnergy and the Akron Zoo composting facility in Akron. General registration is $40. Student registration is $25. Both registrations include lunch. The deadline to register is Aug. 8. Registration is limited to 40 people. Continuing education credits for registered sanitarians will be available. Details: Mary Wicks, 330-202-3533, wicks.14@osu.edu, go.osu.edu/C2Nb.
22 Mission Possible: Positive Leadership, 9 a.m. to noon, Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus, Ohio. The workshop is aimed at helping leaders establish a culture of positive leadership. Cost: $95 ($75 for Ohio State employees). For more information, contact Sarah Chain, chain.10@osu.edu, 614-292-3114, or visit go.osu.edu/positiveleadership.
22 Pumpkin Field Night, 6–8 p.m., Western Agricultural Research Station, 7721 South Charleston Pike, South Charleston, Ohio. Cost: $5. Details: Jim Jasinski, 937-484-1537, jasinski.4@osu.edu.
23 Sweet, Sour, and Savory: Tomato Tasting, 7–9 p.m., First Place Christian Center, 16 W. Franklin St., Troy, Ohio. Miami County Master Gardener Volunteers will sponsor an expert speaking on tomato varieties; their diverse selection of colors, flavors, and uses; and how to grow fabulous tomatoes. Tickets available for $15 at the door or $10 pre-sale from any Miami County Master Gardener Volunteer; from the Miami County office of OSU Extension; from the Wild Farm Booth at the Saturday New Carlisle and Thursday Piqua Farmers Markets; or the Cherry Street Farmers Market in Troy on July 27, August 3, 10, or 17. Details: Amanda Bennett, 937-440-3945, bennett.709@osu.edu.
28 Flex Your Leadership Style, 9 a.m. to noon, Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus, OH 43210. Cost: $95 ($75 for OSU employees). Participants will learn to discover their behavior strengths, foster teamwork, improve communication, and reduce conflict and stress. For more information, contact Sarah Chain, chain.10@osu.edu, 614-292-3114, or visit go.osu.edu/leadershipflex.
September 2019
6 First Run Fridays: Future Trends in Leadership, 9 a.m. to noon, Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus, Ohio. First of four workshops covering current challenges related to leadership in any setting. Cost: $50 ($180 for all four First Run Friday workshops). For more information and to register, go.osu.edu/C2w5. Contact Sarah Chain, chain.10@osu.edu, 614-292-3114.
11 Urban Landscape Pest Management Workshop, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus, Ohio. Intended for those who hold a current commercial pesticide license. Cost: $100 by August 21, $120 after August 21. Lunch provided with registration. Details: go.osu.edu/C2w9.
11 Tree Walk, 1–2 p.m., Seaman Orientation Plaza, Secrest Arboretum, Wooster Campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio. Features a range of tree-related topics including selection, planting, pests, and diseases. Free, no registration required. Details: 330-263-3761.
19 Private Pesticide Applicator Testing, all day, testing begins at 10 a.m., Portage County office of OSU Extension, 705 Oakwood St., Room 101, Ravenna, Ohio. To register, call Ohio Department of Agriculture at 614-728-6987 or visit go.osu.edu/pesticide_exams.
23 Foodpreneur School, 2–6:30 p.m., Keller Market House, 134 S. Columbus St., Lancaster, Ohio. A two-part workshop (Sept. 23 and 30) for food entrepreneurs who are poised to grow their businesses. Those interested must apply by 5 p.m. on Aug. 15. Food entrepreneurs will be notified of their selection and scholarship availability by Aug. 22. Cost: $125 per person due by Sept. 9; Ohio Farm Bureau Federation member price is $75. Limited number of scholarships available. Details: osucooperatives@osu.edu or 740-289-2071, ext. 111. To register: go.osu.edu/foodpreneur.
30 Animals in Our Lives Featuring Dr. Temple Grandin, 5–8 p.m., Dave Thomas Conference Center, 1 Dave Thomas Blvd., Dublin, Ohio. Hosted by CFAES’ Center for Human-Animal Interactions Research and Education (CHAIRE). Will include a short introduction to CHAIRE, a plated dinner, a silent auction, animals from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and a presentation by Temple Grandin. This is a fundraising event for CHAIRE and seats are limited. General admission: $100 per person; $750 for an eight-person table. VIP Admission: $150 per person; $1,100 for an eight-person table. Details: Brittany Fischer, 614-292-1073 or chaire@osu.edu. To register: go.osu.edu/Templegrandin.
October 2019
5 Autumn Discovery Day, 9 a.m. to noon, Secrest Arboretum Welcome Center, Wooster Campus, 2122 Williams Road, Wooster, Ohio. Fall is a great time for planting trees and shrubs. Friends of Secrest Arboretum invite you to browse an expanded selection of new and unique plants for sale, talk to the experts, and explore the natural beauty of our grounds. All proceeds support arboretum research and education programs. The sale takes place rain or shine.
9 Tree Walk, 1–2 p.m., Seaman Orientation Plaza, Secrest Arboretum, Wooster Campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio. Features a range of tree-related topics including selection, planting, pests, and diseases. Free, no registration required. Details: 330-263-3761.
11 Fascinating Woodland Fungi, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Ovalwood Hall, Ohio State Mansfield Campus, 1760 University Drive, Mansfield, Ohio. Fungi of many types are often overlooked, ignored, and/or avoided by visitors to the woods because people don’t know what they are, or people have been misinformed as to the importance and dangers of the fungi. Learn fungi life histories, their ecological importance, and their diversity. Cost: $40; includes snacks, lunch, and class materials. For more information and to register, visit go.osu.edu/BYyx.
23 Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection Training, 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m., Ohio Department of Agriculture, Bromfield Administration Building, 8995 East Main St., Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This course is required to receive state certification to conduct wood-destroying insect inspections for real estate transactions. Cost: $90 preregistration (lunch included); $100 on-site registration (lunch not included). For more information and to register, visit go.osu.edu/BYyz.
25 School Garden Conference, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus, Ohio. Explore project-based learning related to the school garden at the sixth annual School Garden Conference, hosted by 4-H personnel from the Franklin County office of OSU Extension. Educators, after-school personnel, and others are invited to attend. Whether you are a new or an experienced educational gardener, don’t miss the 2019 School Garden Conference. The $50 registration fee includes lunch and all materials. Register at go.osu.edu/sgc2019. Cancellations made after Oct. 18 will not be eligible for a refund.