The April 1st deadline is tomorrow! Enroll in 4-H by the deadline to receive full benefits of membership in Brown County 4-H for 2022! Enrolling by the deadline to be eligible for awards, fair exhibition etc. You can enroll by going to 4-H Online. If you are having issues give us a call at 937-378-6716. Our office ours are 8:00am-4:30pm Monday-Friday.

The 1st webinar kicks off TONIGHT @ 7PM! This is sessio will be covering core grazing education: evaluating resources and goal setting, getting started in grazing and soil fertility. The second webinar in the series will take place on Thursday April 7th at 7:00pm and covers the science of grazing, understanding plant growth, fencing and water systems, and meeting animal requirements on pasture. The third and final webinar will take place on Thursday April 14th at 7:00pm and will cover meeting grazing goals, pasture weed control, economics of grazing and creating and implementing grazing plans. Pre-registration is required and does have a fee of $50. Once participants have registered, participants will have access to to the online course including webinars, social events, and other complementary resources through December 31, 2022. By attending all three webinars participants will receive a certificate of completion. Participants will also receive a USB drive of the traditional course by mail. Printed copies will be available for purchase by request. Current of new members of the Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council are eligible for a $15 discount on registration. You can register for this awesome program by clicking here.

Calling all gardeners! If you are interested in becoming an OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV), the Brown County Master Gardener Volunteers are planning to offer a New MGV training in 2022. The MGV program works with county Extension personnel to provide educational services to the community while providing the opportunity to sharpen your gardening skills and knowledge. These services often include hosting seminars, garden activities, and other horticultural events. This program helps active members network with other gardeners and provides access to numerous continuing education opportunities. The Brown County Master Gardeners are looking for people who want to: learn more about plants and gardening, participate in practical and intensive training programs, share knowledge with others, and devotes time to serve your community as a volunteer educator.

1. Be accepted into the Master Gardener program by completing the volunteer application. (Applications are not yet available)
2. Complete the formal training provided by The Ohio State University Extension. Training is approximately 50 hours along with receiving a 70% or better on all quizzes and exams.
3. Complete 50 volunteer hours on projects that are pre-approved by the Master Gardener coordinator. (The volunteer time must be completed within one calendar year after their formal training.)

Additional information can be found at Brown County Master Gardeners.  If you are wanting to become a Brown County Master Gardener Volunteer, give the Brown County Extension Office a call at 937-378-6716 by April 21, 2022

Calling all gardeners! If you are interested in becoming an OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV), the Brown County Master Gardener Volunteers are planning to offer a New MGV training in 2022. The MGV program works with county Extension personnel to provide educational services to the community while providing the opportunity to sharpen your gardening skills and knowledge. These services often include hosting seminars, garden activities, and other horticultural events. This program helps active members network with other gardeners and provides access to numerous continuing education opportunities. The Brown County Master Gardeners are looking for people who want to: learn more about plants and gardening, participate in practical and intensive training programs, share knowledge with others, and devotes time to serve your community as a volunteer educator.

1. Be accepted into the Master Gardener program by completing the volunteer application. (Applications are not yet available)
2. Complete the formal training provided by The Ohio State University Extension. Training is approximately 50 hours along with receiving a 70% or better on all quizzes and exams.
3. Complete 50 volunteer hours on projects that are pre-approved by the Master Gardener coordinator. (The volunteer time must be completed within one calendar year after their formal training.)

Additional information can be found here. If you are wanting to become a Brown County Master Gardener Volunteer, give the Brown County Extension Office a call at 937-378-6716 by April 21, 2022.

The 2022 Southwest Ohio Perennial School will take place on April 14, 2022 on the Clermont County Fairgrounds (1000 Locust St., Owensville, OH)  in the 4-H Hall from 8:00am-4:00pm. During the Perennial School there will be speakers, a continental breakfast, lunch, snacks, handouts and resources. Lunch will be catered by Chef Michael Scudder, owner of “Taste of the Good Life”. This event is open to anyone who has an interest in horticulture. If you are a Master Gardener Volunteer you can earn up to 5 hours of continuing education hours. The speakers and topics that will be covered include:
Brandon George – University of Kentucky Extension-Perennial Plant Sociability Metrix: How Do Plants Get Along in the Landscape
Jim Jasinski – Ohio State University Extension-IPM with backyard plants, raised beds and Spotted Lantern Fly update
Susan Givler – OSU Master Gardener Volunteer-Straw-bale Gardening
Kathy  Smith – Ohio State University Extension, School of Natural Resources- Unwanted non-native plan, encouraging native plant growth and planting natives in the understory
Gigi Neal – Ohio State University Extension- Edible Landscape
There is a fee of $50 if you register BEFORE April 1, 2022! If you register after April 1, 2022 the fee increases to $60! You can register by clicking here.

Are you interested in learning more about making a profit off of your pasture? Then this series of 3 webinars is for you! This series kicks off on Thursday March 31st at 7:00pm, and this is webinar will be covering core grazing education: evaluating resources and goal setting, getting started in grazing and soil fertility. The second webinar in the series will take place on Thursday April 7th at 7:00pm and covers the science of grazing, understanding plant growth, fencing and water systems, and meeting animal requirements on pasture. The third and final webinar will take place on Thursday April 14th at 7:00pm and will cover meeting grazing goals, pasture weed control, economics of grazing and creating and implementing grazing plans. Pre-registration is required and does have a fee of $50. Once participants have registered, participants will have access to to the online course including webinars, social events, and other complementary resources through December 31, 2022. By attending all three webinars participants will receive a certificate of completion. Participants will also receive a USB drive of the traditional course by mail. Printed copies will be available for purchase by request. Current of new members of the Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council are eligible for a $15 discount on registration. You can register for this awesome program by clicking here.

There’s still time to register for the 2022 GAP Training. On March 31, 2022 from 10:00am-12:00pm at Raines Farm and Greenhouse 2667 Nichols Ridge Rd Seaman, OH 45679. During this 2hour event participants will be able hear from Dr. Bob Pearce with the University of Kentucky. Growers who attend this training will be able to receive their annual GAP training credit. You can register by contacting the Adams County Extension Office. Any questions can be directed to Richard Purdin at 937-544-2339 or purdin.19@osu.edu. This event is FREE!!!

Good afternoon, Everyone,

I hope that the warmer whether is finding you well. As promised, we have added another Quality Assurance session to the calendar.

The deadline to have Quality Assurance completed is JULY 1, 2022.  If you are wanting to be eligible for the STATE FAIR you will have to complete your QA by JUNE 1, 2022.

Unsure if you need Quality Assurance? Ask yourself “Am I wanting to take an animal that stays overnight at the fair?” If the answer is yes, then you need to complete Quality Assurance. This is an annual requirement and must be completed by the deadlines above. The dates listed below are classes in which members can attend to receive credit:

*In order to receive credit members MUST SIGN IN, ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE AND SIGN OUT

April 30, 2022- 10:00am Virtual Pre-registered by following this link: https://osu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJApd-2qqDsuEtHVZ4NnBntWYjdzvTKrTyDm

May 10, 2022- 6:00pm in person, Carpeted Room (Brown Co. Fairgrounds)- No pre-registration required

June 22, 2022- 6:00pm in person, Carpeted Room (Brown Co. Fairgrounds) – No pre-registration required

Any 4-Her taking a horse project will need to complete and pass EquiSTEP by July 1st. The above trainings do not meet the horse training requirement. If you are taking projects that fall into both categories, you will need to complete both.

You may complete QA through other sources. It is your responsibility to provide proof of completion. Acceptable opportunities include going to another county or at a statewide 4-H event. We will post those on our website when we are aware of opportunities.

The only acceptable online version is YQCA for completing Quality Assurance. If this is the route you choose to take there is an additional charge that will be paid out of pocket. YQCA is currently in the process of switching platforms. This means that if you are wanting to take advantage of using YQCA this year you won’t be able to get into YQCA until after they have made their switch on March 23, 2022. If you have gotten into YQCA anytime from October 3, 2021- 3/9/2022 you will need to log-in and download the certificate if you want credit for completing it for this upcoming year. YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE YOUR CERTIFICATE DOWNLOADED BEFORE MARCH 23, 2022! AFTER MARCH 23, 2022 YOU WILL NO LONGER HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR CERTIFICATE! (This means you will not receive QA credit if you have taken it since October 3, 2021) Once you have it downloaded you will need to upload it to: (https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/survey-builder/SV_3mYgPnSkDbB9ULX/edit

All the information on QA can be found at: Quality Assurance | Brown (osu.edu)

As Always if you have any questions feel free to reach out!

The Virtual Pastures for Profit Course is a 3 webinar series that will cover a variety of pasture and grazing topics. This webinar series is an AWESOME experience for all participants! Not only will participants be given access to the online course and webinars once registered, but they will also be given access to social events and other complementary resources THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2022! Participants will also receive a USB with the traditional course by mail.(Printed copies will also be available for purchase separately by request. By attending all three webinars participants will receive a certificate of completion! The first webinar kicks off on Thursday March 31st at 7:00pm! This session will cover core grazing education, evaluating resources and goal setting, getting started grazing and soil fertility. The webinar series picks up again the following week on April 7th at 7:00pm and will cover the science of grazing, understanding plant growth, fencing and water systems, and meeting animal requirements on pasture. The third and final webinar session will happen the following week on April 14th at 7:00pm. The final session will cover meeting grazing goals, pasture weed control, economics of grazing and creating and implementing grazing plans. The cost of this course if $50. If you are a current and/or new members of the Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council are eligible for a $15 discount on registration. You can register for this wonderful webinar by clicking here.

There is still time to pick up your tickets for the 12th Annual Farm and Family Night!!!! It is next Tuesday March 8, 2022 from 4:30pm-9:00pm at the Maysville Community and Technical College at 1755 US Highway 68, Maysville, KY. There is no charge to attend, but in order to receive a meal you MUST HAVE A TICKET! Tickets can be picked up at the OSU Extension Office here in Brown County. This will be an awesome event for the whole family! There will be a selection of sessions to attend along with early bird door prizes and the GRAND PRIZE DRAWING OF A DEEP FREEZER DONATED BY RURAL KING! *See the flyer below for additional details.