Month: January 2025

2025 Winter and Spring Beef Programs

| jagger.6

January 29, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
2025: High Cattle Prices and Drought Recovery, Session 1 of the Winter Beef School series
Beef cattle and livestock economic outlook! An evening with Kenny Burdine, via Webinar
Register at https://go.osu.edu/beefschool25

February 6, 2025, 6 – 8:00 p.m.
Beef Quality Assurance Certification & REcertification, Attica, OH
Register by calling 419-447-9722

February 7, 2025, 8:30 a.m.- 3:15 p.m.
Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council Annual Conference & Meeting, Reynoldsburg, OH

February 7, 2025, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Ohio Beef Cow/Calf Workshop, Optimizing Herd Reproduction & Profitability, Paint Valley Farms, Holmes County
For more information or RSVP, contact Janessa Hill (330) 674-3015

February 18, 2025, 6 p.m.
Ohio Beef Feedlot School, Knox County
For more information contact Sabrina Schirtzinger, 740-397-0401

February 22 and March 1, 2025
Beef 509, Stockyards Packing Company, Oxford, OH

February 25, 2025, 6 p.m.
Ohio Beef Feedlot School, Mercer County
Register online at go.osu.edu/mercerbeef

February 26, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
2025: High Cattle Prices and Drought Recovery, Session 2 of the Winter Beef School webinar series
Register at https://go.osu.edu/beefschool25

February 28, 2025, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Ohio Beef Cow/Calf Workshop, Optimizing Herd Reproduction & Profitability, Mechanicsburg Ag, Champaign County
For more information or RSVP, contact Grant Davis (937) 484-1526

March 6, 13 & 20, 2025
Management Intensive Grazing School, Scio Branch Library, Scio, OH
Call 740-942-8823 to register

March 13-16, 2025
Ohio Beef Expo

March 19, 2025, 6 p.m.
Ohio Beef Feedlot School, Seneca County
For more information contact Pressley Buurma, 419-447-9722

March 26, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
2025: High Cattle Prices and Drought Recovery, Session 3 of the Winter Beef School webinar series
Register at https://go.osu.edu/beefschool25

April 30, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
2025: High Cattle Prices and Drought Recovery, Session 4 of the Winter Beef School webinar series
Register at https://go.osu.edu/beefschool25

 

Ohio Agroforestry Summit and Small Farm Conference March 7th and 8th

| jagger.6

Join OSU Extension at the Shisler Conference Center in Wooster Ohio for two days of niche farming classes!  Day one will kick off with the FREE Agroforestry Summit and day two is a full day of Small Farm/Farm Diversification topics.

Day 1: Agroforestry Summit Friday March 7th

Do you use trees as part of your land management strategy? Do you have a woodlot you’d like to do more with than just collect firewood? Are you curious about how trees could improve the value or performance of your land and/or livestock?

If so, come join us at the Ohio Agroforestry Summit on March 7th, 2025! This free, one-day event will be held in Wooster, Ohio and is open to all (including farmers from outside the state). The day will feature practitioner speakers, round-table discussions to share expertise, networking opportunities, and hands-on workshops to develop your agroforestry skills.

The Summit is supported by USDA funding through the grant, “Farms Branching Out: Expanding opportunities for agroforestry markets, connections, and conservation”. This grant involves a team of researchers from the Ohio State University, Central State University, Michigan State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USDA Agriforestry Center, and US Forest Service. In addition to organizing outreach events, the team is using surveys and interviews to learn more about agroforestry practitioners across the three states.

A  rough agenda for the 2025 Ohio Agroforestry Summit is below. Most of the day will be farmer-led discussion and presentations, and in the afternoon we will have a resource panel where you can ask questions about grant programs and other opportunities with state resources and nonprofits.

Visit this page again for updates and more details about the Summit!

Shisler Conference Center in Wooster, OH

8:30 AM: Doors open, light breakfast and coffee available

9:00 AM: Welcome

9:15 AM-11:00 AM: Silvopasture/Forest Farming/Alley Cropping Speakers + Q&A

11:00 AM: Break

11:20 AM-12:30 PM: Networking Discussions for Ohio Agroforestry Practitioners (concurrent)

  • Forest farming, with Rick Felumlee and John Wright
  • Silvopasture, with Molly Sowash and Weston Lombard
  • Alley Cropping, Chris and Marykate Smyth

12:30 PM-1:30 PM: Lunch

1:30 PM-2:30 PM: Skill building sessions (concurrent)

  • Tree species selection and farm planning- Steve Gabriel
  • Fruit tree grafting 101- Weston Lombard
  • Mushroom log inoculation- Rick Felumlee

2:30 PM: Break

2:45 PM-3:45 PM: Ohio Resources and Opportunities Panel

3:50 PM-4:30 PM: Close-out and suggestions

4:30 PM-6:00 PM: Bonus field trip to Misty Oaks Farm with Kathy and Jeff Bielek

Day 2: Ohio State Small Farm Conference

Full Conference Registration $100.00

Register here for the 2025 Ohio State Small Farm Conference

8:30  Check-in / Registration

  Trade show is open all day!

Track 1:Horticulture and Crop Production

9:00-10:00 | Growing in a Hoophouse: Frank Becker, OSU Extension – “Growing in a Hoophouse” will cover planning, setup, production techniques, management goals, and strategies for long-term success.

10:10-11:10 | Greenhouse vs. High Tunnels: Impacts on Pesticide Use and Disease and Insect Pest Management: Melanie Ivey, Associate Professor, Plant Pathology CFAES-Wooster – This presentation will explore the differences between greenhouses and high tunnels and their impact on pesticide use, disease, and pest management.

11:20-12:20 | Integrated Disease Management Strategies for Apples and Peaches: Prevention and Control of Major Tree Fruit Diseases: Melanie Ivey, Associate Professor, Plant Pathology CFAES-Wooster – This presentation will cover major tree fruit diseases and strategies for prevention and control, focusing on integrated disease management in apples and peaches.

2:00-3:00 | What’s Required to Get the Most from High Tunnel Production?: Matt Kleinhenz, Professor& Extension Specialist- Vegetables – This presentation will explore why some high tunnel users fall short of their goals, offering strategies for success, followed by a tour of the OSU High Tunnel Research and Extension Facility in Wooster.

3:10-4:10 | High Tunnel Tour Matt Kleinhenz, Professor& Extension Specialist- Vegetables – The OSU High Tunnel Research and Extension Facility in Wooster features 18,000 sq ft of learning space across nine high tunnels; more details are available at https://u.osu.edu/vegprolab/research-areas/high-mid-tunnel-systems.

Track 2: Natural Resources and Conservation

9:00-10:00 | Sourcing Logs for Mushroom Production: Marc Amante, Central State University & Erika Lyon, Ohio State University Extension –  Considering log-grown mushrooms as a farm enterprise? This session covers mushroom types, log selection, and budgeting for laying yards.

10:10-11:10 | Soil Regeneration Utilizing Cover Crops: Chris Galbraith, Extension Field Specialist, Ohio State University – This session explores how cover crops can improve soil health as a regenerative practice and align with your farm’s goals.

11:20-12:20 | What’s in My Woodland? Basic Tree and Nut Identification: Carrie Brown, Ohio State University Extension – Join us for a crash course on identifying seeds and nuts from Ohio woodlands.

2:00-3:00 |Creating Habitat for Beneficial Insects on the Farm: Denise Ellsworth, Ohio State University– What do beneficial insects need to survive, and how can you enhance the habitat you already have to draw in more pollinators and other good bugs?

3:10-4:10 | Phenology:Using this Age-Old Science to Predict Bloom Time and Insect Activity:  Denise Ellsworth, Ohio State University– Phenology is the study of recurring biological phenomena and their relationship to weather and climate. Bird migration, hunting and gathering seasons, blooming of wildflowers and trees, and the seasonal appearance of insects are examples of phenological events that have been recorded for centuries.

Track 3: Diversifying Your Enterprise

9:00-10:00 | Growing Microgreens for Urban Growers and Small Farms: Kip Curtis, Associate Professor, OSU Extension – Scale, Scope, and Specialty: Overcoming Urban Grower and Small Scale Farm Marketing Challenges. 

10:10-11:10 | Money to Grow: Grants 101 for Food & Farm Businesses: Hannah Scott, Program Director, OSU South Centers  – This session covers the basics of grant funding for farms, addressing misconceptions, challenges, key considerations, and examples of available programs.

11:20-12:20 | Growing Your Farm With Agritourism: Christie Welch & Rob Leeds OSU Extension – Discover how agritourism can boost your farm’s business and profitability.

2:00-3:00 | Direct Marketing Your Food Through Online Sales: Christie Welch OSU South Centers – Explore online sales platforms to find the best fit for ag-based businesses.

3:10-4:10 | Navigating Licenses/Certificates for your Small Farm Market:  Emily Marrison, OSU Extension– Not sure what license, certification, or labels you will need to sell your products. This presentation will investigate what you will need to sell created cosmetics, granola, soaps, creamed filled pastries.

Track 4: Business Management

9:00-10:00 | How can value-added help your farm?: Kate Hodeges & Jessica Eikleberry, Northeast Ohio Ag innovation Center –  Learn what defines a value-added product, its benefits, and how the AIC supports farmers in starting or expanding their businesses, with insights from experienced professionals and optional one-on-one mini consultations.

10:10-11:10 | Behind the Brand: Heather Neikirk, OSU Extension Educator – Exploring branded programs and certifications for agricultural producers & products that I think would be a good fit.  

11:20-12:20 | Passing on Your Farm to the Next Generation: David Marrison, Professor and Field Specialist, Ohio State University Extension – Learn practical tips for passing your farm to the next generation, including ownership transfer, asset management, and navigating crucial conversations.

2:00-3:00 | Whole Farm Planning for the 21st Century: Integrating Childcare, Healthcare, and Health Insurance into Farm Planning.:  Sarah Noggle and David Marrison, Ohio State University Extension – This session equips farmers with an overview of tools to integrate childcare, healthcare, and health insurance into their farm business plans, addressing often-overlooked aspects of farm viability.

3:10-4:10 | SARE Topics and Grants:  Michelle Wallace, Central State – Learn about USDA-funded SARE grants for farmers, educators, and researchers, including funding opportunities, deadlines, and tips for improving your application.

Track 5: Livestock

9:00-10:00 | Vaccinations Program for a Small Farm: Kevin Jacque, Assistant Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, OSU Large Animal Service –  What vaccinations should I be giving my livestock? Dr. Kevin Jacque will look at the vaccinations that are essential for a small farm.

10:10-11:10 | Small Scale Hay Making: Lee Beers, OSU Extension Educator – This session covers the hay-making process, equipment selection for small farms, and hay market insights to support sound financial decisions. 

11:20-12:20 | Biosecurity for Small Farms: John Yost, OSU Extension Educator – Learn how diseases can enter your farm and practical steps to protect the health and welfare of your livestock and poultry.

2:00-3:00 & 3:10-4:10 | Grassfed Beef Tour (Self-driving): John Yost & Dean Kreager, OSU Extension – Matt Falb, a 4th generation farmer near Orrville, Ohio, operates an 80-acre grass-fed beef farm focused on sustainable practices like managed intensive grazing, cover crops, and extending the grazing season.

OSU Extension offering virtual Farm Transition and Estate Planning Course in February

| Nanette Neal

If you and your family are grappling with the critical issue of transitioning farm operations and farm assets to the next generation, OSU Extension is here to help. Producers are encouraged to attend a four-evening virtual “Planning for the Future of Your Farm” workshop on February 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2025, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. via Zoom.

This workshop challenges farm families to actively plan for the future of the farm business. Learn how to have crucial conversations about your farm’s future and better understand the strategies and tools that can help you transfer your ffarm’sownership, management, and assets to the next generation. We encourage parents, children, and grandchildren to attend together to develop a plan for the future of the family and farm. The teaching faculty for the workshop are David Marrison, an OSU Extension Farm Management Field Specialist, and Robert Moore, an attorney for the OSU Agricultural & Resource Law Program.

Pre-registration is required so that a packet of program materials can be mailed to participating families in advance. Electronic copies of the course materials will also be available to all participants. The registration fee is $99 per farm family. Register by January 24, 2025, to receive course materials in time. Register at go.osu.edu/successionregistration. If you have questions about the workshop, do not hesitate to contact David Marrison at marrison.2@osu.edu or 740-722-6073.

Working in Cold Tempertures

| Nanette Neal

With snow covering much of the landscape for over a week now, we will now get arctic cold temperatures and windchills with daily high temperatures that will be the coldest in roughly ten years.  It is interesting to note that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) documents that there are more deaths in the United States due to cold weather exposure (hypothermia) than hot weather exposure (hyperthermia) each year.  The CDC has also tracked an average of 1,300 deaths per year in the US due to excessive cold or hypothermia.

Many jobs are affected little with the change in temperature outside, but others do not have that luxury.  Occupations such as agriculture (and others) work outside a great deal no matter what the conditions.  Helpful reminders are often beneficial to keep safe while accomplishing these tasks.

Everyone responds to cold weather and temperature extremes in general very differently.  It is what we are “used to” and what we can “tolerate”.  What Alaskans think of as cold in January may be quite different than what we perceive as cold in the lower 48.  Specific contributing factors may also affect a person’s susceptibility to cold temperatures such as getting wet, exhaustion, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, diabetes, and general poor physical condition.

General good practices for working in cold weather include:

  • Planning routine maintenance on outdoor equipment for warmer seasons.
  • Let others know where you will be working and when you will return.
  • Dressing in layers so clothing may be added or taken off in specific instances.
  • Keeping dry. Keep extra dry clothes, gloves, and shoes/boots nearby.
  • Protecting ears, face, hands, feet, and head. Extremities away from the body core have less blood flow and are more difficult to keep warm.
  • Taking breaks in warm locations.
  • Staying hydrated. Not often thought of as an issue in cold weather, but just as important.

In some cases, cold-related illness and injuries will occur.  It is important to know the symptoms so you can watch yourself and others for signs.

Hypothermia:

  • Body loses heat faster than it can be produced.
  • Symptoms are shivering, fatigue, confusion, disorientation.
  • Can be mild to severe depending on symptoms.

Frostbite:

  • Actual freezing of tissue.
  • Symptoms are numbness, stinging, or pain and top layer of skin feeling hard and rubbery.
  • Wear appropriate clothing and seek medical attention if symptoms remain after 30 minutes.

Trench foot:

  • Feet lose heat due to cold or wetness too long and tissue becomes damaged.
  • Symptoms include swelling and pain in the feet. Differs from frostbite in that the skin does not actually freeze.
  • Keep feet warm and dry.

Cold weather injuries are preventable.  Take the time to make the necessary plans for yourself and your workers to stay warm and dry and safely get the job done.

Wayne Dellinger, ANR Educator Union County, can be reached at 937-644-8117 ex. 3024 or dellinger.6@osu.edu. This column is provided by the OSU Extension Agricultural Safety and Health Team. https://agsafety.osu.edu/.

Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council to Meet in Reynoldsburg, Ohio

| Nanette Neal

The Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council will be hosting their Annual Meeting on Friday, February 7, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at The Ohio Department of Agriculture (8995 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg OH 43068). 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 2025 meeting theme is “Feeding Forages ↔ Forages Feeding Us” and will feature information on how to manage forages following a record drought year, cutting edge research from The Ohio State University, producer insights from local hay, beef, and dairy farmers, information on solar grazing with sheep, special guests from the Nature Conservancy, and a session on hot topics in the forage industry.

Keynote speakers will include Dr. Chris Teutsch- Forage Professor from The University of Kentucky, new State Extension Forage Specialist- Dr. Emma Matcham, Dr. Marília Chiavegato- Agroecosystem Management for Food System Resilience Professor at The Ohio State University, Dr. Camren Maierle- Sustainability Director for the American Lamb Board, Jessica D’Ambrosio- Ohio Agriculture Project Director for the Nature Conservancy, and more!

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/annual-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 January 31, 2025.

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!

2025 Ohio Women in Ag Webinars begin February 5th

| Nanette Neal

Please join us for the first episode of Women in Ag Wednesday Webinars on February 5, 2025, at 10:30 am. The event is hosted by the OSU Extension Ohio Women in Agriculture Learning Network Team.

Beating the Winter Blues

Do you ever feel sad or just “blah” in the winter? This session will discuss Seasonal Affective Disorder and what you can do to beat the winter blues. ​

Register for the entire series using this link one time. go.osu.edu/wiawednesdaywebinars2025​