Latest Happenings by Trevor Corboy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, OSU Extension Greene County
As we turn the corner into October many programs and events take place for Agriculture and Natural Resources. The crops begin to turn just as the tree leaves and harvest is just around the corner. This year the annual Farm Science Review was held on September 22 through 24 at fsr.osu.edu. The event looked slightly different being in a virtual format but had great success. I had the opportunity to give a presentation on Goat Production and selecting the breed of goat that best fits your farm during the virtual Farm Science Review in the Small Farm Center. This presentation and many other resources will be available for a few weeks online at fsr.osu.edu if you did not have a chance to logon a few weeks ago.
As part of the Agronomic Crops team, each county Ag educator was asked to provide crop yield update videos to be compiled to show yield potentials from around the state. A few weeks back, I took to the fields and did some yield estimates. Be sure to check in online for the video.
Some of the other things taking place were the virtual National Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinators Conference where we hope to bring back some new home horticulture program ideas that we can implement in 2021.
Also, the last week was the National Association of County Agriculture Agents virtual meeting. There, I will be presented on a statewide youth leadership program called LOOK to Ohio. I always look forward to learning from other colleagues from across the nation.
Finally, we will turn the corner into October as harvest will be in full swing, the last of the summer farm activities will occur and winter preparation will be in high time. Enjoy the Fall weather!
As always, if I can be of assistance, don’t hesitate to call the office at 937-372-9971 or send me an email at corboy.3@osu.edu. -Trevor
Farm Finance
Have questions on the latest cash rent values or custom farming rates? The 2020 data is now available. Call the office at 937-372-9971 or email Trevor at corboy.3@osu.edu to get the latest copy.
Do you need accounting publications for 2021? We have farm account books in stock at the office to keep you up to date on your records! Let us know if we can get you something.
Soil Sampling
When was the last time you had your soil tested? We can help with getting your soil tested. First, collect a dry soil sample of your field, lawn, or area of interest and visit greene.osu.edu or go.osu.edu/gcsoiltest. Agronomic soil samples cost $17 and are incremental for each additional. While turf/ornamental/lawn samples cost $21 and are incremental for each additional. Unsure how to take a soil sample, visit greene.osu.edu to learn more. The OSU Extension office accepts soil samples anytime online, in our dropbox, or by dropping them off by appointment. We will get the results and be in contact with you on next steps to maximize your growing space.
Food Production Gardening
The Ohio State University Extension Greene County, Agriculture and Natural Resources team embarked on a journey in 2020 to provide food production education to the Greene County community amid COVID-19. In April 2020, OSU Extension Greene County met as part of the Community Roots coalition to focus the third year of involvement in a community garden near the east end of Xenia.
The Community Roots coalition is comprised of members from Greene County Public Health, the City of Xenia, and the Ohio State University Extension Greene County. The goal of the coalition is to promote healthy lifestyles across Greene County. The community garden at Lexington Park provides shared, communal gardening space along with scheduled program days for those interested in learning about gardening, nutrition, and sustainability.
To emphasize the increased food security focus of the garden OSU Extension Greene County also hopes to engage the greater community. Over the last few months, OSU Extension Greene County, Agriculture and Natural Resources staff, Trevor Corboy and Kim Hupman along with Master Gardener Volunteers have worked to grow local food consisting of a diverse range of vegetable crops. This is in 16 – 600 square feet growing plots as part of the City of Xenia – Garden Plot rental program at its new location in Lexington Park. To date the program has generated over 1476 pounds of produce that has been donated to local Food Pantries in the Greene County community. This program has been two fold in that educational videos are being developed to teach people how to grow different types of vegetables, but also how to manage their growing spaces, how to cook and prepare what they grow, and finally what to do next in the garden and kitchen.
Home Horticulture Updates by Kim Hupman, Horticulture Program Assistant, OSU Extension Greene County
EMG Conference
This month I had the opportunity to attend the virtual Extension Master Gardeners National Coordinators’ Conference. It was a great chance to talk with other Coordinators from across the nation on various topic. The main topic revolved around online programs and training. It was an excellent chance to learn other Coordinators successes and opportunities with online events. OSU Extension Coordinators have been working to create online training for our Master Gardener Volunteers over the past year and a half. I was able to glean some essential elements to include in the upcoming training class for 2022. The class will include online learning, translating discussion questions to research, scheduled live zoom sessions, and in-person labs. More information on the 2022 OSU Extension Greene County Master Gardener Volunteer training will be coming soon.
State Master Gardener Volunteer Conference
We are excited to announce that Greene County will host the 2021 State Master Gardener Volunteer Conference, October 14th to 16th. Certified Master Gardener volunteers will come from all over the state to explore the area and attend the two-and-one-half day conference. The conference will be an opportunity for members to network and gather information, engage in education by attending workshops highlighting horticultural topics and go on local tours in Greene County. By attending the educational sessions during the conference, MGV’s will be inspired and take back new ideas so they can give back to their communities.
Why Do Trees Change Color? By: Carol Lea Brown, OSU Extension Greene County Master Gardener Volunteer
One of the obvious signs of fall is the changing color of the leaves on trees. Orange, red, purple, yellow, brown, and variations thereof make for beautiful landscapes.
The process of making food for a tree takes place within the leaf, but in the fall this process stops. Chlorophyll, which is the extraordinary chemical that gives the leaves their green color in the spring and summer, begins to break down as the temperatures lower and the sunlight decreases. At the same time, other chemical changes increase, which form red pigments. The resulting chemical process leaves behind beautiful fall colors.
Sugar maples usually turn bright orange. Some oaks and a few other tree species turn brown, red, or russet and may keep their leaves until spring. Some of the yellow leaf colors may come from beech, elm, aspen, poplar, birch, ginkgo, or hickory. Others, like sumac and dogwoods, show various shades of red and purple for their autumn display. Weather affects the intensity of the leaf color. Rainy and overcast cool days increase the intensity of the fall colors, while early frost weakens it. Trees lose their leaves to conserve energy throughout winter. Take time to take a walk or a bike ride to get out into the wonderful fall weather and enjoy the changing colors.