News tips and events for the week of Nov. 25

Tip 1: Digging in: December’s monthly breakfast program by the Environmental Professionals Network (EPN) is called “Digging in With Ohio’s Soil Experts.” Eight Ohio scientists will speak on the hows and whys of having healthy soils. Among them will be Rattan Lal, Distinguished University Professor of Soil Science with The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), who is a 2019 Japan Prize laureate and the 2018 Glinka World Soil Prize recipient. The event, which is open to the public and reporters but has a registration fee, is set for Dec. 4, the day before World Soil Day, on Ohio State’s campus in Columbus. EPN is a statewide professional group organized by CFAES’ School of Environment and Natural Resources. Find details about the event below or at go.osu.edu/decepn19

Tip 2: Dairy team rises to the top: Ohio State’s student Dairy Judging Team recently won the National Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contest at the World Dairy Expo in Wisconsin, marking the Buckeyes’ first win in the event in 33 years. The team beat 17 other schools in the Sept. 30 competition, including second-place Penn State by a single point. Read more about the team in a CFAES feature story at go.osu.edu/dairyvictory. The article may be republished.

Tip 3: A Thanksgiving meal with just 800 calories? A CFAES video says you can eat a healthy Thanksgiving dinner—turkey and trimmings—that totals less than 800 calories. Whether you would want or need to do that for dietary reasons, or just don’t think it’s possible, watch the video at go.osu.edu/BhYd to see how it all adds up. 

December 2019

4 Environmental Professionals Network breakfast program, “Digging in With Ohio’s Soil Experts,” 7:15–9:30 a.m., Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, Ohio State, Columbus, Ohio. Event will feature talks by Ohio soil scientists and educators on creating, preserving, and enhancing healthy soils. Registration is $10, which includes breakfast, or is free for students. Details: jackson.1457@osu.edu or go.osu.edu/decepn19.

4 Processed Meats Product Show, 9:15–11:15 a.m., 117 Animal Science Building, 2029 Fyffe Road, Ohio State, Columbus. A variety of meat products developed and produced by CFAES students will be available for tasting and judging. All products are inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and are properly labeled. The students all developed a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points safety plan, and a marketing and advertising plan for the products. The show is part of a class taught by Macdonald Wick, a CFAES associate professor. Also on display will be other products produced by the class throughout the year, including various types of jerky, loaves, ham, bacon, deli-oven roasted chicken breast, roast beef, and beef pastrami. Students practice their final products at least once before the presentation.

4–5 Pi Alpha Xi Poinsettia Sale, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Howlett Greenhouse, 680 Vernon Tharp St., Ohio State, Columbus, Ohio. Annual sale benefitting the CFAES chapter of Pi Alpha Xi, the national honor society for horticulture students. Details: facebook.com/PAXOSUpialphaxi@gmail.com

5–8 Forestry Forum Christmas Tree Sale, noon to dark Dec. 5–6, 8 a.m. to dark Dec. 7–8. Annual sale of pines, firs, and others by the students of CFAES’ Forestry Forum, an official student chapter of the Society of American Foresters and the International Society of Arboriculture. Proceeds go to support the group’s scholarships and activities. Details: go.osu.edu/forestryforumatosu

6–7 Ohio State ATI Flower Shop and Greenhouse Holiday Sale, noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 6, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 7, Ohio State ATI, 1328 Dover Road, Wooster, Ohio. Annual sale featuring poinsettias in many sizes, types, and colors, including unusual poinsettia trees, all grown by Ohio State ATI greenhouse management students; potted plants grown by Greenhouse Club students; and holiday designs created by floral design and marketing students. Details: 330-287-1243.  

9 Livestock Mortality Composting, noon to 2 p.m., Mahoning County office of OSU Extension, 490 S. Broad St., Canfield. Poultry, dairy, swine, beef cattle, and other livestock producers wanting to learn economically and environmentally beneficial ways to handle the death of their animals can earn livestock mortality composting certification through a course offered by CFAES experts. Registration is $10 and includes lunch, materials, and handouts. Details: 330-533-5538.

14 Guided Bird Walk, 9–11 a.m., Seaman Orientation Plaza, Secrest Arboretum, Wooster campus, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio. Led by members of Greater Mohican Audubon Society. Open to birdwatchers of all experience levels. Free admission. Details: go.osu.edu/Bd99

January 2020

9 Ohio Commercial Pesticide Recertification Conference, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dayton Convention Center, 22 East Fifth St., Dayton, 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. Registration for conference is $90 before Jan. 2, 2020, $115 after that date, and includes lunch. On-site registration is $100 but does not include lunch. Details: go.osu.edu/cpestDayton.

16–17 Greenhouse Management Workshop, “Sustainable and Safe Crop Production,” Shisler Conference Center, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster campus. The annual workshop, now in its 22nd year, will offer more than a dozen technical sessions on how to maintain and optimize crop production, reduce chemical inputs on ornamental crops, and use Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) to keep hydroponic crops free of foodborne pathogens. Managing pests, diseases, lighting, temperature, and humidity will be among the subjects covered. Registration to attend in person is $150 by Jan. 3, 2020, and $175 after that date. The cost includes all sessions, tours, and continental breakfast and lunch both days. Lodging is extra. Registration to attend by webinar is $90 by Jan. 3, 2020, and $115 after that date. The cost includes the general session and concurrent sessions both days. Details: go.osu.edu/greenhouseworkshop20.

24 Ohio Commercial Pesticide Recertification Conference, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Kalahari Conference Center, 7000 Kalahari Drive, Sandusky, 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. Registration for conference is $90 before Jan. 2, 2020, $115 after that date, and includes lunch. On-site registration is $100 but does not include lunch. Details: go.osu.edu/cpestSandusky.

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