News tips and events for the week of Feb. 24

Tip 1: Conservation tillage conference—Learn about cover crops, beneficial insects, fertilizer application, and more at the Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference March 3–4 at Ohio Northern University in Ada. Co-sponsored by CFAES, the conference offers numerous talks related to the challenges of low- and no-till crop production. The event’s keynote speaker is Lee Briese, a crop consultant with Centrol Inc., a North Dakota crop consulting firm. For more information, visit ctc.osu.edu.  

February 2020

25 Environmental Film Series, Living Soil (importance of soil health to food security, human health, economics, and more; includes interview with CFAES Distinguished University Professor of Soil Science Rattan Lal), 7–8:50 p.m., plus postscreening discussion by Ohio State and local experts, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Chemistry Building (CBEC), Room 130, Ohio State, Columbus, Ohio. Free. Pizza and beverages at 6:30 p.m. Details: go.osu.edu/Bjzq.

27 Cancer Prevention in the Kitchen, 5:30–7 p.m., Kunz-Brundige Franklin County Extension Building, 2548 Carmack Road, Ohio State, Columbus, Ohio. The class will focus on how to make meals focus more on plants, and how that can help reduce one’s risk for cancer and other diseases. Free, but registration is required by Feb. 24. Contact Jenny Lobb at 614-292-7775 or lobb.3@osu.edu

27 Ohio Commercial Pesticide Recertification Conference, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Columbus Convention Center, 400 North High St., Columbus, Ohio. Sponsored by OSU Extension and the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Attending the entire day is necessary to meet the five hours required for an Ohio commercial license. Preregistration for the conference only is $90 by Feb. 13. Preregistration for the conference with lunch is $115 by Feb. 13. On-site registration is $100 and does not include lunch. Details: go.osu.edu/BjJx.

29 Syrup and Salamanders, 9 a.m. to noon, Ovalwood Hall, 1760 University Drive, Ohio State, Mansfield. Event highlighting two unique features of the Ohio State Mansfield campus: its maple syrup operation and its extensive springtime vernal pools that are breeding grounds for amphibians. Free admission and pancakes. Details: go.osu.edu/BnP4

March 2020

3–4 Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference, 8 a.m. to 5:35 p.m., Ohio Northern University, 402 West College Ave., Ada, Ohio. Sponsored by CFAES. Registration before Feb. 21 costs $70 for one day or $95 for both days. After Feb. 21, registration is $85 per day or $115 for both days. For more information, visit ctc.osu.edu.

4 Ohio Woodland, Water, and Wildlife Conference, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mid-Ohio Conference Center, 890 W. 4th St., Mansfield. Information and updates on urban wildlife, bats, turtles, deer, beech leaf disease, Lake Erie, invasive species, and more. Registration by Feb. 18 is $65; registration after Feb. 18 is $85. Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch, breaks, and a resource notebook. Details: go.osu.edu/BnP3.

8 Environmental Film Series, The Devil We Know (industrial pollution in West Virginia), 7–8:50 p.m., plus postscreening discussion by Ohio State and local experts, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Chemistry Building (CBEC), Room 130, Ohio State, Columbus, Ohio. Free. Pizza and beverages at 6:30 p.m. Details: go.osu.edu/Bjzq.

11 Tree Walk, 1–2:30 p.m., Secrest Arboretum Welcome and Education Center, CFAES Wooster campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster. Outdoor walk and discussion featuring trees, including seasonal highlights, proper selection and planting, insect pests, and diseases. Free. Details: 330-263-3761 or go.osu.edu/BnPy.

14 Small Farm Conference & Trade Show, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Ohio State, Mansfield, 1760 University Drive, Mansfield. Topics will range from starting and managing an orchard to purchasing a tractor. Cost is $75 and includes lunch. Details: go.osu.edu/osufarmconference2020.

17 Improving Grain Marketing Plans, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., The Andersons, 5728 Sebring Warner Road, Greenville, Ohio. Along with discussing how to build a grain marketing plan, the discussion will provide information about risk capacity, hedging, and cash contracts. For more information, contact Sam Custer at 937-548-5215 or custer.2@osu.edu.

19 Feeding Cattle for the Consumer Series, 5:30 p.m., at the Southern Roots Ranch, 12568 County Road 21N, West Unity, Ohio. A two-part program focused on cattle feeding and beef quality, live animal evaluation, and a grid-pricing discussion. Cost is $20 per person or $30 per family. RSVP at the Henry County office of OSU Extension at 419-592-0806 by March 13. 

20 Appalachia Cooperates Initiative 2020, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ohio University Eastern, Shannon Hall, Room 219, 45425 National Road, St. Clairsville, Ohio. Learn the nuts and bolts of worker-ownership, and start recognizing coop opportunities in your community. Cost is $25. To register, contact Charissa E. Gardner, 740-289-2071, ext. 132, or gardner.1148@osu.edu.

23 Foodpreneur School Day 1, 2–6 p.m., Ross County Service Center, 475 Western Ave., Chillicothe, Ohio. A two-day school hosted by the CFAES Center for Cooperatives, OSU Extension’s Direct Food and Agricultural Marketing Team, and Ohio Farm Bureau. Day 2 will be held on Feb. 30. The three partners are teaming up to host an interactive experience for food entrepreneurs who are poised to grow their businesses. Experts in branding, sales, marketing, and more will share strategies to meet growth goals. Participation limited to 30 foodpreneurs. Cost is $125 person, or $75 for Farm Bureau members. Deadline to apply: March 4. Details: go.osu.edu/BkwH.

25–26 Ohio Compost Operator Education Course, Shisler Center, CFAES Wooster campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster. Professional development course offering a practical understanding of the composting process and the means to address operational issues in the production of compost at large-scale facilities. Registration: $250 for members of the Ohio Organics Council chapter of the U.S. Composting Council; $300 for nonmembers. Registration deadline: March 17. Details: wicks.14@osu.edu, 330-202-3533, go.osu.edu/BnPv.

25 New Pesticide Applicator Training, 9 a.m. morning session and 1 p.m. afternoon session, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Bromfield Administration Building, 8995 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Taught by OSU Extension’s Pesticide Safety Education Program. Cost is $35 for morning session and $30 for afternoon session. Details: go.osu.edu/BkwS.

28 Ohio River Valley Woodland and Wildlife Workshop, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Boone County Enrichment Center, 1824 Patrick Drive, Burlington, Kentucky. Workshop designed to help landowners get the most from their property. Program features sessions on forestry and wildlife management by experts from Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Registration is $50 by March 10, $60 after March 10, and includes continental breakfast and lunch. Details: go.osu.edu/BnPp.

30 Foodpreneur School Day 2, 2–6 p.m., Ross County Service Center, 475 Western Ave., Chillicothe, Ohio. A two-day school hosted by the CFAES Center for Cooperatives, OSU Extension’s Direct Food and Agricultural Marketing Team, and Ohio Farm Bureau. The three partners are teaming up to host an interactive experience for food entrepreneurs who are poised to grow their businesses. Experts in branding, sales, marketing, and more will share strategies to meet growth goals. Participation limited to 30 foodpreneurs. Cost is $125 person, or $75 for Farm Bureau members. Deadline to apply: March 4. Details: go.osu.edu/BkwH.

April 2020

3 Harvesting Sweet Rewards, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., 1760 University Drive, Ohio State, Mansfield. Bus tour of three maple syrup operations in north-central Ohio: Bonhomie Acres in Fredericktown, Malabar Farm State Park, and the Ohio State Mansfield campus. The tour is for landowners looking for ways to earn additional income from their woods and for anyone fascinated with the process of making maple syrup. Registration: $40, which includes bus transportation and lunch. Details: go.osu.edu/BnPj.

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