Ohio State Maple is participating in this year’s Maple Madness Tour. Join us for the day.
Want to tour more sites? The entire list of participating producers can be found here.
Appropriate Land Use – Walk the Farm
Evaluating the farm and it’s resources and planning how your farm will function.
Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council to Meet in Reynoldsburg, Ohio
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!
Backyard Maple Production and Learning How to Make Maple Syrup at Home
Have you ever enjoyed some good old-fashioned maple syrup and been interested in learning how to make your own? If so, this is your opportunity to learn all about making maple syrup from your backyard or your woodland. This program is offered on January 24th at the Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp near Jackson and will include the opportunity to see and practice tapping. You will also learn everything you need to know to begin tapping your trees and making your maple syrup!
If you would like to learn more about Backyard Maple Production and Learning to Make Maple Syrup at Home, please join us on January 24th for our “A DAY in the WOODS” and Ohio Woodland Stewards program at Canter’s Cave 4-H camp.
- Learn and understand What, When, and How to tap maple trees.
- Learn How to handle and boil sap.
- Understand How to finish and package syrup
- Learn to manage your maple trees for sap production.
This program will take place at Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp near Jackson and runs from 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM. A registration fee of $25 will cover the cost of refreshments, snacks, and program materials. To download a brochure with more details about this program and future programs, visit https://go.osu.edu/upcomingwoodlandprograms.
Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp is located at 1362 Caves Road, Jackson, Ohio.
Please use one of the following methods to register by January 20th. Register and pay online at https://go.osu.edu/woodlandstewards25; or call Ohio Woodland Stewards Program at 614-688-3421.
“A Day in the Woods” is sponsored by the Education and Demonstration Subcommittee of the Vinton Furnace State Forest with support from Ohio State University Extension, ODNR-Divisions of Forestry and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, Vinton Soil and Water Conservation District, Central State University Extension, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pixelle Specialty Solutions, Ohio Tree Farm Committee, Ohio Forestry Association Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hocking College, Ruffed Grouse Society, Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative, Pheasants and Quail Forever, and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.
Winter 2025 Beef Programs
Upcoming Beef Programs are available across multiple platforms, including Zoom and in-person.
2025Beef School Graphic – 6:30 pm via Zoom Register at go.osu.edu/beefschool25
- January 29 – Beef Market Outlook
- February 26 – Post Drought Pasture Management & Annual Forages as Supplemental Feed
- March 26 – Why are my Cows Open? & Open Cows – Keep or Cull
- April 30 – Implementing Genomic Testing on Your Farm & Heifer Development-What Have We Learned
Holmes 2025 OH Cow Calf Workshop – Flyer – February 7 10 am – 2:30 pm
Reproduction and genetics are important factors for a cow-calf operation. Long-term investment in genetics plays a critical role in the development and management of a herd to ensure longevity. Join OSU Extension in Holmes County to discuss and demonstrate the practices that you might apply on your farm to improve your operation with regard to optimizing reproduction and cow-calf profitability.
Champaign 2025 OH Cow Calf Workshop – Flyer February 28 10 am – 2:30 pm
Reproduction and genetics are important factors for a cow-calf operation. Long-term investment in genetics plays a critical role in the development and management of a herd to ensure longevity. Join OSU Extension in Holmes County to discuss and demonstrate the practices that you might apply on your farm to improve your operation with regard to optimizing reproduction and cow-calf profitability.
Regional Feed Lot Programs
- Mercer County – February 25, 6 pm – 8 pm
- Knox County – February 18, 6 pm – 8 pm
- Senaca County – March 19, 6 pm – 8 pm
Advanced Tree Identification
Registration is open for the Advanced Winter Tree ID class. In this day-long class, spend time with samples and, if weather permits, outdoors.
This class will be held on Feb. 18th at the Fairfield County Extension office. The registration deadline is 2/12.
Can you identify trees with leaves? What about without leaves? Identifying trees in winter can be a real challenge. This is an advanced class for individuals who are familiar with using dichotomous keys.
This class begins indoors with some introductory identification clues and samples. A guide for identifying trees by fruit and twigs will be utilized for a major portion of the class. The afternoon portion of the class may be outside, depending on the weather and time.
Registration is $40 and includes lunch and materials.
Register here
2025 Ohio Woodland Water and Wildlife Conference
Registration is now open for our 2025 Ohio Woodland Water and Wildlife Conference. Join us for this conference, covering topics geared towards natural resource professionals and land managers.
This year, the topics include:
- Rooted in Ohio: Oak Identification and Proper Site Selection
- Reintroduction of Ohio’s Fishes of Greatest Conservation Concern
- Landscape Designs for People and Wildlife
A full listing of talks is available here. There will be continuing education credits offered for ISA, SAF, and pesticide credits.
Early registration is $70 and includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and materials.
Registration after 2/14 is $85.
Register here.
Ohio noxious weeds laws
If it Bugs the Bugs, It Bugs the Birds!
Join us on May 10, 2024, for If it Bugs the Bugs, it Bugs the Birds! Join Hardy Kern with the American Bird Conservancy and Matt Shumar with the Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative to learn more about pest management’s impacts on birds, how to better understand the chemicals you may be using, and ways to make your spaces bird-friendly while still reducing pest threats.
Registration is open HERE.
This webinar will be recorded and posted to our website – https://woodlandstewards.osu.edu/resources/webinars
Tax Tips for Forest Landowners: 2023 Tax Year
As we are starting to think about taxes, here is the USDA US Forest Service Tax Tips for Forest Landowners: 2023 Tax Year publication.
The National Timber Tax website is located here with much more timber oriented information.
Friday’s Escape to the Forest – Managing Forests for Bats
Join us during Bat Week on October 27th for our Friday’s Escape to the Forest webinar. Join Marne Titchenell, OSU Extension Wildlife Program Director, along with Eileen Wyza, Wildlife Biologist with the ODNR-Division of Wildlife, and Angela Boyer, Endangered Species Coordinator with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as we discuss the ecology and status of bats in Ohio and how forest landowners can support bats on their property.
Register HERE for the webinar.
This webinar will be recorded and posted on our website.
