Tip 1: Gypsy Moth Surge: Ohio has experienced a resurgence in the gypsy moth over the past two years. The gypsy moth is a non-native pest that feeds on leaves and needles of over 300 different trees. The damage gypsy moths do occurs in the spring and early summer when populations are present. Some of the hot spots include Marion and Lucas counties. The Ohio Department of Agriculture will host a series of meetings in February to discuss aerial treatments planned for this spring. Amy Stone, an educator with Ohio State University Extension, can address questions from the media about the prevalence of the gypsy moth and the problems it has created. Stone can be reached at stone.91@osu.edu or 419-392-1308. OSU Extension is the outreach arm of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).

Tip 2: Cows Under Stress: The significant rainfall in 2018 and precipitation so far this year has put stress on cows that have to contend with extensive mud. It takes a lot of energy to trudge through and stay warm in mud, leaving some producers concerned that their cattle aren’t gaining enough weight. Also, the heavy rainfall last year delayed harvest of hay, and hay harvested late can be lower in nutrients. Thinner cows are at risk of having weak or stillborn calves and of not being able to produce sufficient milk for their offspring. Managing a cow herd over the winter is the topic of Ohio Beef School on Feb. 5, a webinar hosted in various Ohio counties. The media can contact John Grimes with questions about the impact of the weather on cows. Grimes, beef coordinator for OSU Extension, can be reached at grimes.1@osu.edu or 740-289-2071. For more information on Ohio Beef School, visit go.osu.edu/Ohiobeefschool.

January 2019 events

28 Agricultural Outlook Meeting, 6–9 p.m., Jewell Community Center, 7900 Independence Road, Jewell, Ohio. Discussion of issues and trends affecting Ohio agriculture. Speakers will be Ian Sheldon, Ben Brown, and Aaron Wilson from OSU Extension and CFAES’ Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics. Registration is $10 by Jan. 22 and $20 after Jan. 22. Register by calling the Defiance County office of OSU Extension, 419-782-4771. Details: defiance.osu.edu.

29 Food Safety Document Development for Small Food Processors, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Cleveland Culinary Food Hub, 7501 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland. Workshop for small (less than $1 million in annual sales) producers of fermented, canned, and other shelf-stable foods. Offers an opportunity for processors to develop their food safety documentation in small groups with individual coaching from instructors. Registration: $25 by Jan. 24. Details: go.osu.edu/ChPZ.

30 Master Gardener Volunteers Training, 9 a.m., the Portage County office of OSU Extension, 705 Oakwood St., Suite 103, Ravenna, Ohio. Registration: $225, which includes all materials. Details: go.osu.edu/Cekd. Application: go.osu.edu/Cekj.  

30 Agricultural Outlook Meeting, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Fisher Auditorium, OARDC, CFAES Wooster Campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio. Discussion of issues and trends affecting Ohio agriculture. Speakers will be Ian Sheldon, Ben Brown, Barry Ward, Dianne Shoemaker, David Marrison, and Kenneth Burdine from OSU Extension and CFAES’ Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics. Registration: $15. Register by Jan. 24 by calling the Wayne County office of OSU Extension, 330-264-8722. Details: wayne.osu.edu.

FEBRUARY 2019 EVENTS

5 Southern Ohio Specialty Crop Conference, 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Oasis Conference Center, 902 Loveland Miamiville Road, Loveland, Ohio. Offers 15 sessions by CFAES scientists on topics including fruits, vegetables, pests, and cultural practices. Pesticide recertification credits available. Registration: $50. Registration deadline: Feb. 1. Space limited to 75; no walk-in registration available. Details: go.osu.edu/Ch3b.

5 Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Training, 12:30–3:30 p.m., Mt. Hope Farmers Produce Auction, 8076 OH 241, Mt. Hope, Ohio. Covers GAPs that reduce the risk of on-farm produce contamination. Available to members of both the Plain and English communities. Preregistration by Jan. 30 is $30. Registration is also available at the door. Details: go.osu.edu/ChQJ or call 330-264-8722.

5 Ohio Beef School: Winter Management of the Cow Herd to Ensure a Productive 2019, 7 p.m., OSU Extension offices in Adams, Auglaize, Belmont, Brown, Carroll, Coshocton, Fairfield, Gallia, Hancock, Highland, Knox, Morrow, Shelby, Stark, and Washington counties. Live webinar. Details: go.osu.edu/Ohiobeefschool.

7 Tri-State Green Industry Conference, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Cincinnati, Ohio. Features education and training for professionals in the areas of annuals and perennials, garden center and greenhouse innovation, tree and shrub care, turfgrass management, landscape ecosystems, emerging ideas and issues, and general pest and disease management. Registration is $90, $45 for students. Details: go.osu.edu/trigreen or call 330-264-8722.

7 Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Training, 6–9 p.m., Local Roots Market and Café, 140. S. Walnut St., Wooster, Ohio. Covers GAPs that reduce the risk of on-farm produce contamination. Registration: $30. Details: go.osu.edu/ChQS.

8 Economic Nationalism and Trade Conference, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Ohio State’s William B. Saxbe Law Auditorium, 55 W. 12th Ave., Columbus, Ohio. Detailed look at the legal, business, and economic consequences of U.S. trade policy. More than a dozen guest speakers representing a cross-section of expertise. Free. Details and link to register: go.osu.edu/Ch3X. Registration deadline: Jan. 31.

9 Guided Bird Walk, 9–11 a.m., Seaman Orientation Plaza, Secrest Arboretum, OARDC, CFAES Wooster Campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio. For birdwatchers of all skill levels. Led by members of Greater Mohican Audubon Society. Free. Details: 330-263-3761, go.osu.edu/Ch3Q.

12 Environmental Professionals Network, 7:15–9:30 a.m., Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus, Ohio. Program will address “Pursuing Equity and Inclusion Within Environmental Organizations.” Facilitated by Marcelo Bonta Consulting, LLC. Registration: $10 for nonmembers; free for members and students. For details and to register: go.osu.edu/DEI.

13 Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Training, 9 a.m. to noon, hardware store north of County Line Auction, 10150 Spencer Road (State Route 301), West Salem, Ohio. Covers GAPs that reduce the risk of on-farm produce contamination. A no-technology training especially for members of the Plain community. Registration by Feb. 6: $30. Details: 330-264-8722 or go.osu.edu/ChQV.

13 Agricultural Outlook Meeting, 5:30–9 p.m., Wayside Chapel, 2341 Kerstetter Road, Bucyrus, Ohio. Discussion of issues and trends affecting Ohio agriculture. Speakers will be Barry Ward, Ben Brown, and Ian Sheldon from OSU Extension and CFAES’ Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics. Registration: $15. Register by Feb. 5 by contacting the Crawford County office of OSU Extension, 419-562-8731, hartschuh.11@osu.edu. Details: crawford.osu.edu.

20 Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Training, 12:30–3:30 p.m., Henry Hostetler Farm, 9876 Firestone Road, Homerville, Ohio. Covers GAPs that reduce the risk of on-farm produce contamination. A no-technology training especially for members of the Plain community. Preregistration by Feb. 14: $30. Details: 330-264-8722, go.osu.edu/ChQb.

20 Guided Winter Walk, 2–3 p.m., Seaman Orientation Plaza, Secrest Arboretum, OARDC, CFAES Wooster Campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio. Featuring plants including witchhazel, Lenten rose, conifers, native grasses, and parrotia. Free. Details: 330-263-3761, go.osu.edu/Ch3D.

21- March 28 Annie’s Project: Risk Management Education for Farm Women. Offered by OSU Extension in Summit and Portage counties, the six-week program held each Thursday offers in-depth sessions to educate women entrepreneurs so they are prepared to make farm management decisions. Preregister by Feb. 14. Registration is $100 per person and includes all materials and dinners. Registration is limited to 25 women. Details: 330-296-6432 or christensen.227@osu.edu.

22 Ohio Commercial Pesticide Applicator Recertification Conference, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Kalahari Conference Center, 7000 Kalahari Drive Sandusky, Ohio 44870. Preregistration for conference only: $89 by Feb. 15. Preregistration for conference with lunch: $109 by Feb. 15. On-site registration for conference only: $100. No lunch available with on-site registration. Details: go.osu.edu/pestrecert

22 Shrubs for the Landscape, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Jack and Deb Miller Pavilion, Secrest Arboretum, OARDC, CFAES Wooster Campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio. Details about the many kinds of shrubs and how to combine them for beautiful, sustainable landscapes. Registration TBA. Details: 330-263-3761, go.osu.edu/Ch3B. 

23 Spring Workshop: Gardening at Your Doorstep, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Williams on the Lake, 787 Lafayette Road, Medina, Ohio. Presentations on herbs, hostas, and keynote by author Debra Knapke called “Simplifying Your Garden Without Diminishing Joy!” Registration: $45 by Jan. 31; $55 after Jan. 31; includes continental breakfast, buffet lunch, and refreshments. Details: 330-725-4911, go.osu.edu/Ch29.

26 Ohio Commercial Pesticide Applicator Recertification Conference, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St., Columbus, Ohio. Preregistration for conference only: $89 by Feb. 19. Preregistration for conference with lunch: $109 by Feb. 19. On-site registration for conference only: $100. No lunch available with on-site registration. Details: go.osu.edu/ChQg.

28 Your Woodland Management Options and Legal Responsibilities, 6–8:30 p.m., the Crawford County office of OSU Extension, 112 E. Mansfield St., Bucyrus, Ohio. Workshop designed to help woodland owners manage their timber, wildlife, and more. Registration: $15. Registration deadline: Feb. 25. Details: 614-688-3421, go.osu.edu/Ch27.

MARCH 2019 EVENTS

5–6 Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. March 5, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 6, at the McIntosh Center, Ohio Northern University, 402 West College Ave., Ada, Ohio. Annual conference for farmers and producers. Registration: $65 by Feb. 21 for one day or $85 for both days. Late registration: $80 for one day or $105 for both days. Details: 419-674-2297, ctc.osu.edu.

6 Ohio Woodland Water and Wildlife Conference, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mid-Ohio Conference Center, 890 W. Fourth St., Mansfield, Ohio. Annual conference designed for natural resource professionals and land managers. Registration: $60 by Feb. 21; $80 after Feb. 21. Details: 614-688-3421, go.osu.edu/Ch23. 

7 Pruning Workshop, 9 a.m. to noon, Jack and Deb Miller Pavilion, Secrest Arboretum, OARDC, CFAES Wooster Campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio. Introductory workshop covering basic pruning techniques, including timing, tools, and proper cuts. Outdoor practice included. Focus will be on landscape trees and shrubs; fruit trees will not be covered. Registration: $25 for members of Friends of Secrest Arboretum; $30 for nonmembers. Details: 330-263-3761, go.osu.edu/Ch2v.

9 Wool Judge Workshop II, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Animal Science Building, 2029 Fyffe Road, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. This training workshop has been developed to assist sheep show ring judges in their evaluation of fleece quality with the wool breeds of sheep. Registration: $20 by March 1; includes lunch. Open to the first 35 registrants. Details: go.osu.edu/CkyV.

13 Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Training, 1–4 p.m., hardware store north of County Line Auction, 10150 Spencer Road (State Route 301), West Salem, Ohio. Covers GAPs that reduce the risk of on-farm produce contamination. A no-technology training especially for members of the Plain community. Registration by March 6: $30. Details: 330-264-8722, go.osu.edu/Ch2g.

13 Tree Walk, 1–2 p.m., Seaman Orientation Plaza, Secrest Arboretum, OARDC, CFAES Wooster Campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio. Featuring a variety of topics including selection, planting, diseases, and pests. Free. Details: 330-263-3761, go.osu.edu/Ch2S.

16 Northwest Ohio Small Farm Conference and Trade Show, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Northwest State Community College, 22600 State Route 34, Archbold, Ohio. Designed for beginning and small farm owners. Workshops and seminars taught by OSU Extension professionals and industry leaders will be offered on subjects related to horticulture, farm management, livestock, specialty crops, and more. A trade show will feature vendors unique to small farms. Registration: $60 by March 1; $30 for those under 18; includes lunch. Details: go.osu.edu/Ckyq.

18 Organic Vegetable School, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Moebius Nature Center, 929 E. Mennonite Road, Aurora, Ohio. Join industry experts and researchers for a full day of the latest information on organic vegetable production for your small farm. Registration: $25 by March 11; includes lunch. Details: go.osu.edu/Cky3.

22 Agricultural Outlook Meeting, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Romer’s Catering, 118 E. Main St., Greenville, Ohio. Discussion of issues and trends affecting Ohio agriculture. Speakers will be Barry Ward, Ben Brown, David Marrison, and Ian Sheldon from OSU Extension and CFAES’ Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics. Registration: $20. Register by March 16 by calling the Darke County office of OSU Extension, 937-548-5215. Details: go.osu.edu/CjCz.

25 Ohio Agritourism Conference and Trade Show, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Maize Valley, 6193 Edison St. NE, Hartville, Ohio. Learn about the latest trends and topics impacting the agritourism industry, explore options for your farm, and visit a premier Ohio agritourism operation: Maize Valley Winery, Craft Brewery, Farmers Market and Family Fun Zone. Details: go.osu.edu/agritourismconference2019