Agriculture and Natural Resources

Supporting Farmers through Dry Conditions

With an estimated 2,709,128 Ohioans currently living in some sort of dry or drought conditions, times are not easy. Unfortunately, with no relief in sight, we could be sitting in this position for quite some time. The map below indicates where each county in Ohio stands in its current dry/drought condition.

Our team at OSU Extension and other professionals around the state of Ohio are working around the clock to monitor the situation and provide resources for on-the-ground support and daily observation of the weather outlook. Click here for more information and resources.

We often forget to check in on our mental health during this time of high stress and anxiety. While many people can cope with the everyday stress of farming, it is important to know it is okay not to be okay. Especially with extreme weather conditions, it can be difficult for any farmer.

There may be no way to control this drought, but we can control how we manage our stress. Here are a few simple ways:

  • Recognize the signs of it, which manifest differently in everyone.
  • Acknowledge and share with someone that you are feeling
  • Ensure that you are getting enough sleep, eating properly, and maintaining good physical
  • When you have the time to connect with loved ones, Spending quality time with others boosts your mental health.

What are some of the signs of stress:

  • Poor sleeping and/or eating habits
  • Feeling overwhelmed by life
  • Overly anxious or stressed
  • Increased use of drugs and/or alcohol
  • Increase in risky behavior
  • Overly tired and/or forgetful
  • Thoughts of hopelessness

If you have been feeling any of these for more than a few weeks, please reach out to someone. We have your back, and you are not alone in these thoughts. Please talk with someone.

Resources that are available to you:

go.osu.edu/farmstress   go.osu/educountyresourceguide

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Call, Text, or Chat 24/7 365 Ohio Care Line 1-800-720-9616

Please reach out if you have any questions or need more information to Bridget Britton at 330-365- 8160.

Bridget Britton, MSW, LSW Behavioral Health Field Specialist

 

Cucurbit Field Nights

Join us to tour research plots and hear updates from Extension specialists on a variety of topics, including pumpkin management, squash bug thresholds, the use of season-long row covers, watermelon pollination, melon variety evaluation, and more.

These events will also showcase a hands-on scouting and diagnostic clinic for growers to fine-tune their pest management strategies. Light refreshments will be provided.

Cucurbit
Research Update | Pest Scouting Clinic

Flyer

Tuesday, August 27
North Central Research Station
1165 Gonawein (On OH 53 south of Fremont)
Fremont, Ohio 43420

Tuesday, September 3
OSU South Centers
1864 Shyville Road
Piketon, Ohio 45661


Time: 5:30-8 p.m. Eastern
Cost: Free
Register:  go.osu.edu/cucurbits or call 614-247-9680

QUESTIONS: Bradford Sherman (sherman.1473@osu.edu)

To request accommodations that will help you participate fully in this in-person event, share your requests during registration or contact Bradford Sherman.

 

This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number 2023-38640-39573 through the North Central Region SARE program under project number ONC24-155. USDA is an equal-opportunity employer and service provider. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

American Sycamore Sap and Syrup: What We Know and What We Don’t.

Join us on Friday, September 13th, for our Friday Escape to the Forest webinar, American Sycamore Sap and Syrup: What We Know and What We Don’t.

Learn more about the potential to use the sap from this native tree to make a sweet treat. Luke Taylor-Ide and Sarah Collins-Simmons of Future Generations University will give us a research update. They have been working with sycamore trees to make syrup and will give us an update on the possibilities.

Registration is available here.  Both ISA and SAF continuing education credits have been applied for.

 

USDA NASS released Cash Rents

USDA NASS released Cash Rents – State Level Data for 2024 this past week:

https://quickstats.nass.usda.gov/results/58B27A06-F574-315B-A854-9BF568F17652#7878272B-A9F3-3BC2-960D-5F03B7DF4826

This survey shows an increase in Ohio Farm Cash Rents (for non-irrigated cropland) of 3.9% (year-over-year).

This survey shows the Ohio average cash rental rate for 2024 at $185 per acre compared to the 2023 value of $178 per acre. Ohio statewide county averages will be shared soon.

USDA NASS released their Land Values 2024 Summary

USDA NASS released their Land Values 2024 Summary this past week.

https://usda.library.cornell.edu/concern/publications/pn89d6567

This survey shows an increase in Ohio Farm Real Estate Values of 9% year-over-year and an increase in Cropland Values of 9.7%.

The estimates of land values in this report are based primarily on the June Area Survey, conducted during the first two weeks of June each year.

Here are the definitions of the two values (from the report) for clarification:

Farm real estate value: The value at which all land and buildings used for agricultural production, including dwellings, could be sold under current market conditions if allowed to remain on the market for a reasonable amount of time.

Cropland value: The value of land used to grow field crops, vegetables, or land harvested for hay. Land that switches back and forth between cropland and pasture should be valued as cropland. Hay land, idle cropland, and cropland enrolled in government conservation programs should be valued as cropland.

2024 Fall Seminars

Join the OSUE Clermont County Master Gardener Volunteer for their 2024 Fall Seminars

If summer heat has you spent and you can’t wait for Winter to begin join the OSUE Clermont County Master Gardener Volunteers as they Prepare for a winter rest.

RSVP to save your spot by calling the office at 513-732-7070 or email Burdsall.9@osu.edu

Pasture Walk – September 10, 2024

Take a walk with us through a warm-season grass pasture as we discuss how to establish and manage this type of pasture and offer information on current pasture-related programs. Joining us on our walk are Dr. Marilia Chiavegato, Assistant Professor of Agroecosystem Management for Food System Resilience at Ohio State University, and Jason Jones, Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologist for Southern Ohio.

September 10, 2024, 6 pm – 8 pm

Steve Phillips Farm, 2235 Bethel Maple Road, Bethel, OH

 

Dinner is provided! – you must RSVP before Tues. Sept. 3rd to ensure a meal.
Call 513-260-9116 or email abest@clermontcountyohio.gov to RSVP no later than September 3rd

 

Please contact us by 9/3/2024 if you need any special accommodations to attend this event.

August is Water Quality Month! How upstream decisions can have downstream impacts.

Join our Water Quality Team on August 7, 2024, at 10:30 am for the next episode of Wednesday Women in Ag Webinar featuring Amber Emmons and Rachel Cochran, Water Quality Extension Associates.

In our August Women in Ag Webinar, we will discuss water quality and its relationship to our actions. We will also discuss water quality impairments, how they occur, and how they can be remediated. Research results from OSU Extension will be shared, and we will have an open conversation about how we, as humans, impact water quality.

Register at http://go.osu.edu/wiawednesdaywebinars2024

Visit the Master Gardener Volunteers at the Clermont County Fair

When you come to the Clermont County fair (July 21st-27th), make sure to stop by The Master Gardener Volunteer booth in the Floral Hall to see what we are doing now.

From gardens to classes to demonstrations, the Master Gardener Volunteers are busy in your community.

Have a gardening question?

Want to become a Master Gardener Volunteer?

Come see us for more information!

Southern Ohio Hay List

Who sells hay?” is a question frequently asked, especially during the winter season. Our goal in making this list is to provide Southern Ohio clientele with a list of producers who make and sell hay.” If you are a hay producer and would like to be on the list, please use the QR code or this link to register your information. Of course, we are open to all areas of the state and region, but we are focusing our resources.