News tips and events for the week of May 13

Writer(s): 
Photo: Getty Images

Tip 1: Wet weather delays Ohio planting: Persistent rain and saturated soil conditions have delayed corn and soybean planting in much of Ohio thus far this planting season. For the week ended May 5, only 2% of Ohio’s projected corn acreage was planted. In comparison, 20% was planted at that same time last year, and 27% is the five-year average for that time. Soybean planting is also down, with only 1% of Ohio’s projected soybean acreage planted. In comparison, 7% was planted at that same time last year, and 9% is the five-year average for that same time. Many farmers statewide question whether they can still produce crops with strong yields after such late planting, so agronomists at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) have published several recommendations about late-planted corn and soybeans in the latest edition of the C.O.R.N. Newsletter. The newsletter is produced by agronomists with Ohio State University Extension, CFAES’ outreach arm, and can be found online at agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter. Peter Thomison, an OSU Extension agronomist, and Laura Lindsey, a soybean and small grains specialist with OSU Extension, are two of several Extension experts who can provide insight into spring planting. Thomison can be contacted at 614-292-2373 or thomison.1@osu.edu; Lindsey can be contacted at 614-292-9080 or lindsey.233@osu.edu.

Tip 2: Rural job growth rate increasing: Ohio’s rural counties of Wyandot and Holmes topped Columbus’ job growth rate between 2010 and 2018, according to Mark Partridge, a CFAES economics professor. Other rural counties including Harrison and Morgan nearly matched Columbus’ job growth rate during that same period, said Partridge. Columbus, typically the state’s front-runner for job growth, experienced 18% job growth between 2010 and 2018, but Wyandot’s was 23% and Holmes’ was 20%. Both Morgan (16%) and Harrison (17%) counties’ job growth rates were just slightly less than the Columbus rate, according to Partridge, who is also chair of the C. William Swank Program in Rural-Urban Policy at CFAES. Partridge was the keynote speaker at the May 8 Spring 2019 Outlook and Policy Conference “Challenges and Opportunities for Economic Development in Ohio,” which was hosted by the CFAES Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics (AEDE) on Ohio State’s Columbus campus. Partridge can be reached at 614-688-4907 or partridge.27@osu.edu.
 

May 2019

14 Environmental Professionals Network monthly breakfast program,“Building Relationships to Increase Prosperity and Well-Being in Ohio Communities,” 7:15–9:30 a.m. with extended Ohio State networking program from 9:50 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, Ohio State, Columbus. Registration is $10, free for students, and includes breakfast. Details and link to register: go.osu.edu/Cw6v

16 Private Pesticide Applicator Testing, testing begins at 10 a.m., Portage County office of OSU Extension, 706 Oakwood St., Room 101, Ravenna, Ohio. Details: go.osu.edu/Cr8z.

17 Financial Concepts for Natural Resource Managers, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, Ohio State, Columbus. Registration: $50 includes lunch and materials. Please bring a laptop and calculator. Details: go.osu.edu/Cv47.

18 Simply Nature for Families, 10:30–11:30 a.m., Secrest Welcome Center, CFAES Wooster Campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio. Children will be led through several outdoor activities and receive a take-home kit to connect the park experience with backyard nature. Activities are free, but please call 330-263-3968 by May 15 to register. Intended audience is children ages 5–10, accompanied by parents, grandparents, or other caregivers. Details: go.osu.edu/Cr8v.

21 Seeing Bugs Through a New Lens, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Longaberger Alumni House, 2200 Olentangy River Road, Ohio State, Columbus.Insect and plant photography workshop by CFAES’ Danae Wolfe. Registration: $10. Details: go.osu.edu/Cw6x.  

22 New Pesticide Applicator Training, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Ohio Department of Agriculture, 8995 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Cost: $35 morning session, $30 afternoon sessions. Preregistration encouraged; on-site registration by cash or check only. Details: go.osu.edu/Csqn.

22 Trees on Tap,9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Eisenhower Hall, 1760 University Drive, Ohio State Mansfield campus, Mansfield, Ohio. Workshop designed to encourage a love of trees, including updates on new pests and diseases and a special focus on oaks. Registration is $45, which includes snacks, lunch, and handouts. Details and link to register: go.osu.edu/Cw63

June 2019

Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course,7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., North End Community Improvement Collaborative, 134 N. Main St., Mansfield, Ohio. Designed to meet the Produce Safety Rule training requirement of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Free for Ohio residents; $85 for out-of-state residents; lunch not provided. Registration deadline: May 22. Details:http://go.osu.edu/Cw7D

7 Hydrangea School,9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Jack and Deb Miller Pavilion, Secrest Arboretum, CFAES Wooster Campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio. Workshop on selecting and growing hydrangeas. Registration: $40 for members of Friends of Secrest Arboretum; $45 for nonmembers. Details: go.osu.edu/Cw7G.

8 Guided Bird Walk, 9–11 a.m., Seaman Orientation Plaza, Secrest Arboretum, 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/Cw7J.

10-14 4-H Global AgriCULTURE Camp, 9 a.m. June 10 to5 p.m. June 14,Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center (Columbus, Ohio) and Heifer Global Village (Howell, Michigan). A new camp designed to help teens decipher the daunting issues of hunger and poverty, and create commitments to local actions. Limited to 25 campers. Registration: $350, which includes all supplies and overnight accommodations in Ohio State north campus student dorms and at the Heifer Global Village in Howell, Michigan. All meals, snacks and insurance are also included. Registration deadline: May 1. Details: go.osu.edu/Cv5B.

12 Tree Walk,1–2 p.m., Seaman Orientation Plaza, Secrest Arboretum, CFAES Wooster Campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio. Features a range of tree-related topics including selection, planting, pests, and diseases. Free, no reservations required. Details: 330-263-3761.

13 Ohio Lawn Care Association Northeast Seminar,8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Arden Shisler Conference Center, CFAES Wooster Campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio. Professional development program for lawn care professionals. Registration fees vary. Details and link to register: go.osu.edu/Cw7N.  

13 Whiz Bang Science Show,7–8 p.m, John Streeter Garden Amphitheater, Secrest Arboretum, OARDC, CFAES Wooster Campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio. Free, open to the public. The show will be canceled in the event of severe weather. Contact: Gwen Zimmerly, 330-263-3761, zimmerly.30@osu.edu.

15 In the Garden Seminar,8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bravo Room, Hobart Arena, 255 Adams St., Troy, Ohio. Topics will include diversifying your landscape, new conifers, encouraging communities to support pollinators, and others. Cost: $40, $32 for master gardeners. Contact: Amanda Bennett, 937-440-3945, bennett.709@osu.edu.

22 Large Acreage Conservation Demonstration and Education Site Tour, 10 a.m. to noon, Gwynne Conservation Area, Molly Caren Agricultural Center, 135 State Route 38 NE, London, Ohio. Tour featuring land management practices that promote soil, water, woodland, and wildlife conservation. Demonstration area includes pollinator plots, cover crop plots, and streambank restoration area. Presented by Ohio State’s Sustainable Agriculture Team. Free admission. Part of the 2019 Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop Series. Details: oeffa.org/news/farm-tours-2019.  

25 The Wondrous World of Lichens,9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Jack and Deb Miller Pavilion, Secrest Arboretum, CFAES Wooster Campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio. Cost: $40, $45 for nonmembers. Contact: Paul Snyder, 330-263-3761, snyder.1062@osu.edu.

26 Diversified Crop and Production Field Day,2 p.m., Ohio State University South Centers, 1864 Shyville Road, Piketon, Ohio. Tour featuring aquaponics, climate-smart agriculture, long-term tillage and cover crops, berries, pumpkins, paw paw trees, organic farming, and more. Presented by Ohio State’s Sustainable Agriculture Team. Free admission. Part of the 2019 Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop Series. Details: oeffa.org/news/farm-tours-2019.  

July 2019

9 Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Training, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.,Ohio Department of Agriculture, 8995 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Preregistration: $90 (lunch included), on-site registration $100 (lunch not included). Details: go.osu.edu/Cv5D.

10 Tree Walk, 1–2 p.m., Seaman Orientation Plaza, Secrest Arboretum, OARDC, CFAES Wooster Campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio. Features a range of tree-related topics including selection, planting, pests, and diseases. Free, no reservations required. Details: 330-263-3761.

11 Whiz Bang Science Show,7–8 p.m, John Streeter Garden Amphitheater, Secrest Arboretum, OARDC, CFAES Wooster Campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio. Free, open to the public. The show will be canceled in the event of severe weather. Contact: Gwen Zimmerly, 330-263-3761, zimmerly.30@osu.edu.

13 Pioneering Urban Farm Tour,10–11:30 a.m., Four Seasons City Farm, 931 E. Mound St., Columbus, Ohio. Tour featuring plantings and programs at the oldest operating urban farm in Columbus. Presented by Ohio State’s Sustainable Agriculture Team. Free admission. Part of the 2019 Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop Series. Details: oeffa.org/news/farm-tours-2019.  

13 Insect Night,8–10:30 p.m., Secrest Arboretum, OARDC, CFAES Wooster Campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio. For children of all ages and their families. Free. Bring a flashlight, good walking shoes, and a clear jar to collect insects. Details: go.osu.edu/Cv5G.

18 Summer Grafting Workshop, 8 a.m. to noon, Jack and Deb Miller Pavillion, Secrest Arboretum, OARDC, CFAES Wooster Campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio. Registration: $35 Secrest member, $45 non-member. Preregistration is required. The hands-on workshop will focus on summer grafting of tree species. Rootstock and scion will be provided. Details: go.osu.edu/Cv5J.

19 Sharpening Your Scouting Skills for Invasive Species, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Ovalwood Hall, 1760 University Drive, Ohio State Mansfield campus, Mansfield, Ohio. Registration: $40 includes lunch and materials. Details: go.osu.edu/invasivescouting.

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Writer(s): 
Tracy Turner
614-688-1067