Tip 1: ’Shrooms for the Taking in our Backyards and Woods. Fall is a great time not only for all things pumpkin spice, but for wild Ohio mushrooms as well. Erika Lyon, an Ohio State University Extension educator in Jefferson and Harrison counties, knows all about the fungi and lists her favorite mushroom groups to find during this time of year as the corals and jellies. She also warns that some white mushrooms look like button and meadow mushrooms, but are deadly if consumed. To chat about what kind of mushrooms you might find in your yard or the woods, contact Lyon at 740-264-2212 or lyon.194@osu.edu. OSU Extension offers a mushroom resource handbook titled Mushrooms and Macrofungi of Ohio and the Midwestern States. The handbook is $26.25 for a print copy and $8 for a PDF copy...
How do I know when an item of food is spoiled?
That really depends on the food item in question.
Food spoilage refers to a decrease in quality beyond what is acceptable to consumers, said Abby Snyder, an assistant professor and food safety field specialist in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University (CFAES).
Signs of food spoilage can include a change in color or texture. The food may also emit a foul odor or develop an unpleasant taste, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service. ...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Prices on goods sold in the United States are likely to increase as an extensive array of tariffs on foreign goods, particularly from China, remain in place, according to an agricultural economist with The Ohio State University.
“I don’t think we’ve seen the full effects of the trade war yet,” said Ian Sheldon, who serves as the Andersons Chair in Agricultural Marketing, Trade and Policy in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
The Trump administration first imposed a tariff on foreign steel and aluminum, then on a range of products from various countries including about 5,000 products made in China and sold in the United States. China and other countries have in turn raised tariffs on U.S. products sold...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Record-high crop yields and new government aid are expected to help insulate Ohio crop farmers from significant financial losses that would have occurred because of low commodity prices, according to a recent Ohio State University study.
If net income for farms across Ohio this year follows the projected national trend, then it will decrease by 15 percent compared to last year’s total.
But it could have been a whole lot worse.
Fortunately, Ohio farmers, on average, are basking in high yields. The average yields of both soybeans and corn are projected to beat the state’s previous record highs. Soybeans, which are estimated to average 60 bushels per acre, are expected to top last year’s average by 19 percent, and the 190 bushel-per-acre...
Tip 1: How to deal with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—The new tax law for both individuals and businesses is among the topics to be discussed during the Income Tax School workshop series offered throughout November and December by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) at The Ohio State University. The annual series helps tax preparers learn about federal tax law changes and updates for this year, as well as issues they may encounter when filing individual and small business 2018 tax returns, said Barry Ward, director of the Income Tax School program. The tax schools are intermediate-level courses that focus on interpreting tax regulations and changes in tax laws to help tax preparers, accountants, financial planners and attorneys advise their clients, he...
What are synthetic food flavoring additives and why have some of them banned from use?
The Food and Drug Administration announced last week that it was banning the use of seven commonly used synthetic food-flavoring additives that have been linked to the development of cancer in laboratory studies of animals.
The flavorings, many of which are used in many brands of chewing gum, candy, breakfast cereals, beer, packaged ice cream and some baked goods, were removed from the FDA’s approved usage list based on the findings of several studies. Those findings were used as the basis of petitions asking the government to stop allowing the synthetic food flavoring additives to be used in food, the government agency said.
The petitions were generated from several groups including the...
Tip 1: Ready Your Farm for the Public: On Oct. 4, a 2-year-old Nebraska boy died after a gust of wind overturned a bounce pad he was on at a public pumpkin patch. The tragedy raises questions about how farmers who open their farms to the public through pumpkin patches, zip lines or pick-your-own farms can prevent dangerous situations. Lisa Pfeifer can address what Ohio residents can do to ensure safety on their farms. Pfeifer is the educational program manager with the agricultural safety and health team in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) at The Ohio State University. She can be reached at pfeifer.6@osu.edu or 614-292-9455.
Tip 2: The Spiritual Side of Farming: The focus of the 12th annual Stinner Summit will be on “The Roles of Faith and...
Is raw pet food ok to serve to my dog?
While many pet owners may prefer to feed their furry family members raw pet food, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that’s not such a good idea.
This is because pathogens like salmonella and listeria have been found in some raw pet foods, even in some of those brands that are sold pre-packaged in stores, CDC says. Since these germs can make your pet sick, it’s best not to feed them to your dog.
Studies from the U.S. Department of Food and Drug Administration have found that there are more harmful germs in raw pet food than any other type of pet food. And, if you handle these raw pet foods and don’t wash your hands afterwards, they can make you and your family sick as well.
Such was the case in February...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The newly renegotiated trade agreement involving the United States, Canada and Mexico offers farmers a bit more security about markets for dairy, corn and other products, but hefty Mexican tariffs still in place hinder business, according to an agricultural trade specialist with The Ohio State University.
Under the new trade agreement, dairy farmers in the United States will have 3.75 percent more access to the Canadian dairy market. That means they’ll be able to sell more of their cheese, milk and other products there without those products getting taxed heavily at the Canadian border.
“Dairy farmers in Ohio should be happy,” said Ian Sheldon, an agricultural economist who serves as the Andersons Chair in Agricultural Marketing, Trade and...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — This sounds more like a dare than research.
Student employees at The Ohio State University willingly don plastic suits and masks to dig into trash and pull out tossed food in its various forms: partly eaten, uneaten, wet and reeking. Then they weigh it.
Not a task for the squeamish, for sure. But apparently the effort to measure and eventually cut food waste on campus somehow outweighs the ickiness of smelling, touching and just standing beside garbage.
“It’s usually fresh garbage which is better than old garbage,” said Mary Leciejewski, who helps organize the food waste audits.
True, but still.
“They’re a tough bunch,” said Leciejewski, senior sustainability coordinator for Ohio State’s Facilities, Operations...
