News tips and events for the week of March 9

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Tip 1: Boosting sales of food and farm businesses: An upcoming set of workshops is aimed at helping food and farm businesses that sell products such as eggs, pork, or baked goods to identify strategies to increase sales. Participants of the workshops, which will be held March 23 and March 30 in Chillicothe, Ohio, will learn marketing, social media, and sales tactics, among other skills, and will generate a set of goals to improve their businesses. The workshops are being hosted by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Center for Cooperatives, Ohio State University Extension Direct Food and Agricultural Marketing Team, and Ohio Farm Bureau. The two workshops will be 2–6 p.m. at the Ross County Service Center, 475 Western Ave., Chillicothe. The cost is $125 per person, $75 for Farm Bureau members. Details: go.osu.edu/BkwH.

Tip 2: Want to know more about what it takes to run a small farm? New and experienced farmers are encouraged to attend the Small Farm Conference and Trade Show in Mansfield on March 14 to gain know-how about various aspects of farming. The event will cover topics from controlled environment agriculture to mushroom production. Sessions will advise on control of pests that feed on fruit crops, managing an orchard, maple syrup production, malting barley, and creative marketing for various farm enterprises. The conference is 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Ohio State’s Mansfield campus, 1760 University Drive, Mansfield. The $75 cost includes lunch. Details: go.osu.edu/osufarmconference2020.

MARCH 2020

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.

21 CFAES Sesquicentennial Open House, Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory and Kunz-Brundige Franklin County Extension Building, 1091 Carmack Road, Columbus. Activities will be offered for the whole family, including an opportunity to check out some of the updates to the property. Registration is open. Parking and a shuttle will be available on west campus at Carmack Parking Lot 5, 1091 Carmack Road. The CFAES open house is being held in conjunction with the Ohio State Community Open House to celebrate 150 years with various locations/events across campus. The Ohio State celebration will start at Thompson Library with a short kickoff program at noon. Learn more at 150.osu.edu/open-house.

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.

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.

21 CFAES Annual Research Conference, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wooster Campus Conference Center, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster. Transportation will be provided for free from the Columbus campus to the Wooster campus. Details: glaze.41@osu.edu or 614-688-1551.

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.

 

Writer(s): 
CFAES News Team
614-292-2270