– Christine Gelley, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Noble County OSU Extension
Reserve your seat today!
The Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council will be hosting their 2023 Annual Meeting on Friday, February 17, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Deerassic Park Education Center (14250 Cadiz Road, Cambridge, Ohio 43725). This meeting serves as an opportunity to interact with forage growers of all backgrounds and interests and share with each other. Along with socialization you can listen to intriguing presentations, interact with vendors of forage growing supplies, and enjoy a delicious lunch.
The Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council is Ohio’s commodity organization for pasture and hay crops. The Ohio State University partners closely with the Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council to support forage education, research, and outreach throughout the state. It is the only organization of its kind, bringing together farmers, conservationists, academics, industry representatives, and service personnel into a shared environment to converse and build relationships that lead to more productive forage and grassland ecosystems and more profitable farm operations. The Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council is the state affiliate organization of the American Forage and Grassland Council. Ohio members are automatically extended membership to the national level for even more networking opportunities and learning experiences.
The 2023 meeting theme is “Feeding Forages ↔ Forages Feeding Us” and will feature information on how to provide adequate fertility to forages while on a budget, how to create pasture ecosystems that are simultaneously beneficial to livestock and wildlife, cutting edge research from The Ohio State University, and producer insights from local beef, sheep, and dairy farmers.
Keynote speakers will include Dr. Ed Rayburn- recently retired Extension Forage Specialist from West Virginia University, Jason Jones- Ohio Grasslands & Grazing Coordinator for Ohio Pheasants and Quail Forever, Dr. Marília Chiavegato- Agroecosystem Management for Food System Resilience Professor at The Ohio State University, and local farmers- Andy Fadorsen (beef), Devin Cain (dairy), and Stuart Heavilin (sheep).
Service and achievement awards will be announced at the annual meeting. There will also be opportunities to socialize with your peers and to visit with vendors of related agricultural products at the event.
Registration for members is only $40 and can be completed online at: https://ohioforage.com/event/2023-ohio-forage-and-grasslands-council-conference/
Not a member of OFGC? Not a problem. All people interested in pasture management and forage production are welcome to attend. Registration is due by February 10, 2023.
Paper registration can also be secured and submitted by contacting OFGC Executive Secretary- Gary Wilson at osuagman@gmail.com or 419-348-3500.
The Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council Annual Meeting is an opportune time to pick up inspiration for ways to improve pasture, hay, and livestock systems. Hearing the experiences of others is one of the best ways to find motivation to make changes for the better on-farm. Share your experiences with an OFGC board member and maybe you will be on the speaker list in future years! I hope to see you there on February 17!