Tip 1: Ohio 4-H Week—Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted have officially proclaimed March 8–14 as Ohio 4-H Week. As America’s largest youth development organization, 4-H supports about 6 million children nationwide including nearly 172,000 children in Ohio, where 4-H clubs exist in all 88 counties. A.B. Graham started a youth program in Clark County, Ohio, in 1902, which is considered the birthplace of Ohio 4-H. Although 4-H originally began as an organization for farm children, today it emphasizes leadership and citizenship skills. Additionally, Ohio 4-H alumni are 10% more likely to have a college degree than their counterparts. To learn more about Ohio 4-H and to interview Ohio 4-H members and/or leadership at both the state and county levels, contact Kirk Bloir, Ohio 4-H assistant state director, at 614-247-8148 or bloir.1@osu.edu, or contact Sally McClaskey, Ohio 4-H education and marketing program manager, at 614-247-8141 or mcclaskey.12@osu.edu.
March 2020
2–3 Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Spring into 2020—Grounds and Greens Training, Day 1: 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Day 2: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Youth Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Dr., Columbus, Ohio. Participants can also earn pesticide recertification credit while attending. For more information, visit go.osu.edu/Bn6E.
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.
15 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/Bn6H.
May 2020
9 Plant Discovery Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Secrest Arboretum Welcome and Education Center, CFAES Wooster campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster. The annual Friends of Secrest Arboretum sale features new and unique annuals, perennials, herbs, and woody plants. Vendors will also offer a variety of art for the home and landscape. Free admission and parking. Details: 330-263-3761 or zimmerly.30@osu.edu.
13 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/Bn6P.
Sherrie R. Whaley
whaley.3@osu.edu
614-292-2137