Hardin County – The Hardin County OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers are hosting “An Evening Garden Affair” on Monday evening, June 24 at the Friendship Gardens of Hardin County located at 960 W. Kohler Street in Kenton. The event is from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and will feature Jessica Alger, Hardin County Master Gardener Volunteer intern and family owner-operator of Make a Bouquet U-Pick Flower Farm near Arlington.

There will be walking tours of the Friendship Gardens of Hardin County with light refreshments starting at 6:00 pm. Master Gardener Volunteers will be stationed in the Friendship Gardens to provide information. Garden tours may be cancelled in the case of inclement weather.

Participants will move to the Simon Kenton School building at 7:00 pm for the program speaker, Jessica Alger, family owner-operator of Make a Bouquet U-Pick Flower Farm near Arlington for her presentation about the latest trends in AgriTourism. Topics include What is AgriTourism? Examples of AgriTourism in the area and beyond; Flowers by Season; and Make a Bouquet U-Pick Flower Farm origin, history to present day along with the process, benefits, and challenges of owning your own business.

This event is free and open to the public, rain, or shine. Those who have an interest in gardening will not want to miss this event. Parking is available at the garden off West Kohler Street or in front of Simon Kenton School. For further information contact the OSU Extension office at 419-674-2297.

Hardin County – A Pond Clinic, sponsored by the Hardin Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and OSU Extension, Hardin County will be held on Tuesday, June 11, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Pond owners and prospective pond owners are invited to the clinic being held at the Liberty Conservation Club, 1552 State Route 235, Ada.

Eugene Braig, Program Director, Aquatic Ecosystems from The Ohio State University Extension School of Environmental and Natural Resources will discuss weed management, fish stocking, and how to keep your pond ecosystem in balance so plants and fish co-exist.

This will be a question-and-answer pond clinic. Bring all your pond management questions for the expert to answer.

The program will be held outside so bring your lawn chair and dress for the weather conditions. Light refreshments will be provided by the Hardin SWCD. If you have any questions, please contact the Hardin SWCD or Hardin County OSU Extension.

By Christine Heilman, Hardin County Master Gardener Volunteer

Hardin County – Join us for an exciting adventure on May 11th at the Kenton Farmer’s Market with “Marigold Magic: A Children’s Gardening Experience”! Hosted by the Master Gardeners, this interactive activity aims to cultivate young minds while having fun with gardening. Children will have the opportunity to plant their very own marigold seeds and plants while also learning important gardening skills. Through engaging discussions and hands-on activities, participants will discover how to properly water their plants, understand sunlight requirements, and distinguish between marigold seeds and plants. Join us for a time filled with learning and exploration as we nurture the next generation of green thumbs! The activities will be held during the Spring Fest at Market on Main, May 11 from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. The market is located on the corner of Main and Ohio Streets in the parking lot behind The Middlefield Banking Company.

Hardin County – The 19th Annual Hardin County Master Gardener Plant Sale will be from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm on Saturday, May 18 rain or shine at the Friendship Gardens of Hardin County. The Friendship Gardens of Hardin County is located behind the old HARCO Workshop Building, 960 W Kohler Street in Kenton. Follow the signs to the parking that is available at the garden.

In addition to plants and garden items supplied by the Hardin County OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, the Hardin County Men’s Garden Club will be at this annual event with plants for sale. Other organizations and businesses participating include Keep Hardin County Beautiful, All 4 One Crafts, and Turner Baughman Farm wool pellet garden mulch. In the past, the public has been able to find a wide choice of their favorite flowers, bedding plants, roses, herbs, trees, and various other potted plants at this event. In addition, gently used garden tools and other related garden items are often available.

Sharing from their own knowledge and experience, gardeners from the OSU Extension Hardin County Master Gardener Volunteers and the Hardin County Men’s Garden Club will be on hand to answer questions and provide advice for a successful gardening year. Also, free packets of Ohio Victory Gardens seeds provided by the Ohio Department of Agriculture will be available.

Make sure you put Saturday, May 18 on your calendar to attend. Hopefully the weather will cooperate, and conditions will be suitable for planting by the date of this year’s plant sale. The OSU Extension Hardin County Master Gardener Volunteers look forward to seeing you at the Friendship Gardens once again this year. Come early as noted in the past, the event has been popular, and plants go fast. So, bring your boxes and wagons, and get your green thumb on for the new planting season!

Hardin County – It’s time once again to get your hands dirty and start growing! The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) and Ohio State University Extension offices are kicking off the fifth year of the Ohio Victory Gardens program. Due to high demand, the program has expanded to include 64 counties, up from 50 counties last year. Thousands of seed sample kits are available for free to the public to get people planting.

Specific days and times for each office are available on the Ohio Victory Gardens website, as well as planting resources and information. Hardin County OSU Extension will make available Ohio Victory Garden seed packets containing a combination of carrots, cucumber, lettuce, and sunflowers. Seeds are currently available at the Hardin County OSU Extension Office, 1021 W Lima Street in Kenton and will also be available at its annual Master Gardener Volunteers Plant Sale being held Saturday, May 18 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm in the Friendship Gardens of Hardin County located at 960 W Kohler Street in Kenton.

Victory Gardens originated during World War I, an answer to a severe food shortage at the time. People were encouraged to find any usable space, plop in some seeds, and contribute homegrown fruits, vegetables, and herbs to the effort. The idea was wildly successful, growing an army of amateur gardeners and serving to boost morale and patriotism.

While we’re not in wartime, we can all commiserate the past few months have been tough, mood-boosters are welcomed. So, the Ohio Department of Agriculture and Ohio State University are reviving the effort and once again inspiring people to get their hands dirty, realize the fruits of their labor and share with others if inspired. We believe a good day in the garden is good for the soul.

The Victory Gardens Program offers a full website with details on seed distribution, advice, and resources on every aspect of planting and harvesting produce at https://u.osu.edu/ohiovictorygardens/online. All Victory Gardens participants will be eligible to win a free starter gardening toolkit by completing a short online survey to enter.

Article written by Ohio Department of Agriculture and edited by Mark Badertscher-OSU Extension, Hardin County

Hardin County – The fifth annual Hardin County Goat Banquet will be held on Saturday, April 6 at the Family Center of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church located at 15436 State Route 309 in Kenton. Registration and seating will open at 5:00 pm with the public invited and the meal will begin at 5:30 pm. There is no cost, as each family is asked to bring a side dish and/or dessert. The main dish, drinks, and table service will be provided. There is no need for tickets, but pre-registration is encouraged by contacting the OSU Extension office at 419-674-2297 by April 1st.

There will be crowning of the 2024 Hardin County Fair Goat Royalty and announcing of the winner of the Hardin County Goat Boosters Scholarship. The evening will conclude with lots of fun door prizes, sponsored by businesses and individuals in the surrounding communities. There will be a silent auction, 50/50 drawing, and other raffles. Come join us for a fun evening! Questions about the Hardin County Goat Banquet can be directed to Jamie Ferguson at jamie.hazelton2020@gmail.com or by visiting the Hardin County Goat Banquet Facebook page.

Hardin County – The 2024 Hardin County Poultry Banquet will be held Saturday, March 30th at the Family Center of the Kenton Christian & Missionary Alliance Church located at 15436 State Route 309 in Kenton, Ohio.

Chicken will be provided as the main course. Each family attending is asked to bring their most requested, best-tasting side dish and dessert to share. There will be no charge for the evening, but reservations are necessary. Doors open at 5:00 pm, dinner will begin at 6:00 pm. Table service will be provided.

The 2024 Hardin County Fair Poultry King and Queen will be crowned and winners from the 2023 Poultry Department will be recognized. Enjoy a wonderful time of fellowship and delicious food along with awesome gift baskets and raffle prizes! Prepare your favorite dishes and come join us for a pleasant and fun-filled evening celebrating all things poultry in Hardin County!

The reservation deadline for this year’s Poultry Banquet is Saturday, March 16th. Please call, text, or email Catherine Scharf at (419) 996-9234 or ceoscharf@gmail.com to make a reservation. Reservations can also be made through the Hardin County OSU Extension office.

Hardin County – Should I plant corn or soybean first in the spring? What crop has the smallest yield penalty for delayed planting? Can you adjust your management practices to mitigate losses due to late planting? How are diseases affected by planting date? OSU Extension is bringing this “Battle for the Belt” program to the Hardin County OSU Extension office, 1021 W Lima Street, Kenton, on Wednesday, March 20 from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.

We will answer these questions and more during our Battle for the Belt Winter meetings. Come hear OSU Extension State Corn Specialist Osler Ortez and State Soybean Specialist Laura Lindsey provide the first year’s results of this statewide research project along with graduate student Taylor Dill’s field observations.

Agronomic Field Specialist Stephanie Karhoff will provide corn disease and planting considerations. State Soybean Disease Specialist Horacio Lopez-Nicora will provide soybean disease and planting considerations. There will be follow-up questions and applications facilitated by research specialist Luke Waltz.

Find out the results of this year’s research and discuss them over a catered lunch made possible by the Ohio Soybean Council and Ohio Corn & Wheat. Registration is $10 per person at https://go.osu.edu/2024hardinbattleforthebelt or call 419-674-2297.

Hardin County – The Hardin County Cattle Producers will hold their annual Beef Banquet on Saturday, March 23 in the Community Building at the fairgrounds, starting at 6:30 pm. Pre-sale tickets are $20 ($25 at the door), kids ages 7-10 are $10, and kids ages 6 and under are free. The 2023 Hardin County Junior Fair Beef Barn Exhibitors are free with a reservation given to any Cattle Producers Director or the Hardin County OSU Extension office.

Tickets can be purchased from the following county Cattle Producers Directors: Madisen Jolliff, Mackenzie Wallace, Dustin Badertscher, Adam Billenstein, Jeff Oestreich, Justin Eibling, Stacia Hall-Boughan, Derek Dunson, Kristie Royer, Brieanne Sullivan, Deana Gibson, and Dick Cronley by March 15.

Scholarship winners will also be announced the night of the banquet. The Hardin County Cattle Producers are offering $500 scholarships to qualified students for the 2024-25 school year. Scholarships will be awarded to applicants who themselves or their parents are current members of the Hardin County Cattle Producers or currently have a beef cattle project in either 4-H or FFA. Applicants for the Cattle Producers scholarships can go to go.osu.edu/2024beefscholarship to apply online by the March 15 deadline.

The Cattle Producers Service Award will be presented as well at the annual Beef Banquet. The Service Award is presented to a person or organization that has demonstrated dedication to the mission of the Hardin County Cattle Producers.