USDA to Open General and Continuous Conservation Reserve Program Enrollment for 2025  

Stakeholder Toolkit: 

Description: USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) plans to reopen the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), a popular conservation program that enables agricultural producers and private landowners to increase wildlife habitat and conserve natural resources. FSA is accepting offers for both the General and Continuous CRP today through June 6, 2025.

The program, which marks its 40th anniversary this year, helps producers and landowners generate income from unproductive or marginal cropland while re-establishing valuable land cover to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and support wildlife habitat. Acceptable offers from all CRP signups must be approved by September 30, 2025.

We need your help to spread the word to eligible producers. This toolkit includes:

  • Newsletter Article
  • Talking Points
  • Social Media Suggestions
  • Graphic (attached)

If you have any questions, please contact Christina Cooley at Christina.Cooley@usda.gov .

2024 Farm Commodity Program Payment Estimates for Ohio Counties as of May 2025

These are estimates based on the recently released NASS yield data and the current market-year price average. Remember, they are just estimates, as the final numbers for both yield and price for the 2024 commodity program are not finalized until October.

Paper version

Digital version

So, why did we write the article? First, the numbers show that there will be a wide range of potential payments due to the variability of weather in 2024, which impacted county yields (drought).  We will be watching and revising these numbers as we go through this summer. In June, the RMA will release county yield data, which we will use to refine these numbers. Second, there are many counties which the NASS data is not available to use. Keep reminding your producers of the importance of completing the NASS surveys when they get them as it allows estimations like these to be made—adding valuable information for their management decisions.

 

A NEW EDUCATIONAL DEMONSTRATION GARDEN IS COMING TO LIFE!

The Clermont County Master Gardeners are excited to kick off the summer vegetable gardening season with a new and improved demonstration garden! This garden, located at the Clermont County Fairgrounds, is designed to teach and inspire everyone, regardless of gardening experience. Our hope and mission are that this space will be more than just a garden — it will be an educational hub where we can all learn together.

What did we do to prepare?

Construction: We began by working with a local contractor to design and construct a variety of raised beds. Our goal was to create a space that could showcase different gardening techniques while being accessible and educational for visitors of all ages. The beds vary in shape and height to demonstrate the versatility of raised-bed gardening and to accommodate a wide range of plants and users. 

Filling with Quality Soil: We took special care in choosing the right soil blend for our raised beds. A healthy mix of compost and topsoil ensures that our plants will have the nutrients they need from day one. Good soil is the foundation of any successful garden.  (Yes, soil—not dirt! Soil is alive with nutrients and microorganisms that plants need to thrive.)

Adding Support Structures: We installed simple fencing and trellises within some of the beds to support climbing plants like beans and cucumbers. These structures not only help vertical growers thrive but also make the most of limited space. As the garden grows, these trellises will be full of green life.

Ready for Learning and Growing: With the beds filled, the soil in place, and trellising installed, our demonstration garden was ready to plant.  You can find a variety of local favorites, such as tomatoes, peppers, beans, and cucumbers, to name a few.

This is a shared public space where we welcome visitors of all ages and gardening backgrounds. We’re excited about this growing season and even more excited to share it with our community. Stay tuned for more updates!

Potager Article #17

A series of articles presented by Candy Horton, an OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

I went out into the garden today in between the rain showers because I wanted to check on the things I have growing in there.  About a month ago, I planted a row of radishes, spinach, and lettuce.  I have two sets of radishes planted, 1 row of lettuce, spinach, carrots, bush beans, and three buckets with potatoes all planted.  The radishes, spinach, and lettuce are all doing pretty well.  A little over a week ago, I had to scrap the first plantings of lettuce and spinach as they didn’t do very well at all, but the first radishes are fantastic.  I should be able to start harvesting those soon.  The new rows of spinach and lettuce have maybe 1 or 2 little seedlings popping up already.  I noticed today that I do have some sprouts showing in the potato buckets, but they are not very high, and I will need to work on those in the next few days.

I wanted to try something a little bit different this year.  With the walking paths in the garden, I knew that I would lose some planting spaces, so I decided to add some back into the garden through a different way of gardening, through container gardening.  I bought several plastic pots that I will be adding some herbs to, which I will keep on the back porch to keep them close to the kitchen.  I also bought some colorful rubber feeding/water buckets from the local farm store and have started planting potatoes in them.  I bought what I believe will be enough seed potatoes to start a bucket of potatoes each month through the end of September or the first of October.  Once they all start getting to the point of needing to be harvested, I’m hoping that I will be able to start harvesting 3 buckets of potatoes each month, all the way through to December.  I have three different varieties, and I would really be interested to see if I could have fresh potatoes for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

When I purchased the buckets, I sat down one day and drilled holes in the bottom of the buckets.  I have them set up on scrap wood blocks to allow really good drainage.  I then filled the bucket with about 6” of good garden soil, added the seed potatoes, and covered them with about 3” of soil.  As the plants grow, I will continue to add soil at the base of the plant to encourage it to grow more potatoes and give me a larger crop.  I’m hoping that I won’t run out of seed potatoes before the end of the season.  Because we are limited on when seed potatoes are available, I have to guess at how much I will need to keep planting and harvesting all year.  I will need to do this with a lot of my vegetable plants.  At the end of the year, I will put the soil from the buckets into the compost bin and clean and disinfect the buckets to be used again next year.

While I was out in the garden about a month ago, I checked on the leaf mulch that I had started, and it looks fantastic.  There are so many worms and healthy critters in that pile that I’m so excited.  I’m adding this compost to each of my beds as I get them cleaned out and seeds or plants planted.  I also turned the compost bin from the first one into the second one.  That pile is doing really well and will create a really nice batch of compost to add to the beds this fall.  Starting this fall, if I continue with the process of composting that I have done, I will have a continual supply of really healthy, natural compost to add to the garden beds.   I have really noticed a difference in the beds that I have been adding compost to regarding the soil health.  It’s easier to work, looser, and a lot more worms and other soil life.  I started with soil that was very heavy in clay, and this will be the third summer since starting to add the leaf compost to the beds.  I believe that it is making a big difference to the garden beds.  I have added a couple of links below that will help with container gardening or provide more information about growing your garden.  Talk with you soon.

No Garden? No Problem! – Container Gardening Basics | Growing Franklin (osu.edu)

Get Your Garden On | Victory Gardens – Let’s Grow Ohio! (osu.edu)

Coming Soon: Clermont County 4-H App!

 

‼️Attention Clermont County 4-H🍀

On May 22nd we will be launching a 4-H App!

Brought to us by the 4-H Advisory Committee, the app will share registrations, updates, and other 4-H opportunities throughout the year.

Be on the lookout May 22nd for more details on how to download!

SBA Relief Still Available to Ohio Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by September Drought

Deadline to apply for economic injury loans approaching

ATLANTA—The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Ohio of the June 2 deadline to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the drought beginning Sept. 24, 2024.
The disaster declaration covers the Ohio counties of Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Coshocton, Guernsey, Hamilton, Highland, Holmes, Knox, Licking, Montgomery, Muskingum, Pike, Preble, Scioto, Tuscarawas and Warren and Dearborn, Franklin, and Union in Indiana as well as Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Kenton, Lewis, Mason, and Pendleton in Kentucky.

Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster, even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

“Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. For more information on SBA, applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Save the Date! SNAP-Ed with the Clermont DD

We are excited to announce that we will offer SNAP-Ed classes in partnership with the Clermont Board of Developmental Disabilities. The classes are FREE for all Clermont DD participants!

To register for the class, please email Becky at fiscus.22@osu.edu

STEAM Night at Seipelt Elementary

Seipelt Elementary School was buzzing with excitement during its annual STEAM Night, where students and families engaged in interactive activities celebrating science, technology, engineering, arts/agriculture, and mathematics. Among the highlights were two engaging sessions led by 4-H educators, Kelly Royalty and Carlie Newman, who brought hands-on learning to life!

Kelly Royalty, 4-H/FCS educator, introduced students to the science of UV rays with a creative UV bracelet activity. Participants crafted their own bracelets using UV-sensitive beads that change color when exposed to sunlight, helping them understand the importance of sun protection in a fun and visual way.

Meanwhile, 4-H educator Carlie Newman wowed students with a physics activity that made scientific concepts more tangible and exciting. Through interactive demonstrations, participants explored surface area—sparking curiosity and critical thinking.

STEAM Night proved to be a fantastic opportunity for young minds to explore, experiment, and experience hands-on learning. All the activities empowered students to see science in action and inspired them to think creatively.

A big thank you to Seipelt Elementary for hosting such a fun and engaging event, and to all the educators, volunteers, and families who made the night a success!

OSU Extension can bring hands-on workshops and activities to your local events! Whether it’s a school function, festival, or organization gathering, Extension professionals can provide valuable learning experiences tailored to your audience. Reach out to your local OSU Extension office to explore partnership opportunities.

2025 Clermont & Hamilton 4-H Camp Registration is OPEN!

‼️Attention 4-H’ers🍀

Clermont & Hamilton 4-H Camp registration is OPEN!

Deadline to register is May 23rd! Register @https://go.osu.edu/clerhamcamp25

Camp fee is $295, first 50 Clermont 4-H members will receive a $50 discount!

Join us as we “Camp through the Calendar”!

More information about camp, click below 👇

Continue reading 2025 Clermont & Hamilton 4-H Camp Registration is OPEN! →

2025 4-H Market Chicken Pick Up!!!

Market Chicken Pick-up is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21st, from 3:00pm-6:00pm in the 4-H Hall Kitchen, located on the Clermont County Fairgrounds.

Make sure you bring a box with a lid to transport your chickens and have food and water at home to feed them.

Please contact the Junior Fair board with questions. Christine Fetters at christinemfetters@gmail.com or 513-543-4366 with questions.