Well it looks like warmer daytime temperatures are going to start being more of a constant. This week I set slug traps as part of a slug monitoring research project and I also set insect traps across the county. I have seen a lot of yard work happening by homeowners and landscaping companies. There has also been a little bit of field activity this week with manure applications and burn down taking place. Planting season will soon be a go! I am looking forward to being out each week to see what is happening around the county as I scout fields and check-in on research projects.

Rainfall reporting also started this week. Thank you to all of our reporters across the county. You can view rainfall amounts around the end of each month here.

Best of luck to everyone this growing season no matter if you are growing fields crops or gardens. And please, remember to share the road this planting and growing season.

Nic

It sure has felt like spring at times this week and it looks like a few days next week could feel the same. I have also been seeing a lot geese as they make their return to Ohio from winter migration.

Winter programming is starting to wrap up and I am starting to look toward the growing season, which will be here before we know it. This winter we had great attendance at pesticide and fertilizer recertification classes, we certified almost 2o new fertilizer applicators, and helped about 20 people prepare to take their pesticide applicator exams. We also saw great attendance at the Conservation Tillage Club meeting series this year as well. If you have topic ideas for next’s series or feedback from this year, please reach out to me by phone or email to share your thoughts.

In just a few weeks, the Master Gardener Volunteers will host their annual gardening seminar. They have a great theme this year and a great line up of speakers. You can find information about the seminar here.

Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference is also coming up quickly in Ada at Ohio Northern University. You can find information about the conference here.

As we draw closer to the growing season, I will soon start to determine insect trap locations for the 2025 trapping season as well as researching out for partners in eFeilds and other research studies. If you are interested in being part of the 2025 trapping network or have an interest in research, please reach out to me and we can talk about these collaboration opportunities. If you would like to check out our 2024 eFields report, you can do so here.

I hope you enjoy the warm days when we have them but don’t be surprised if we still see some snow this winter according to our OSU Extension weather specialist.

Nic

Well, winter is certainly here. OSU Extension’s Ag Weather and Climate Field Specialist, Aaron Wilson, said earlier this week to not expect temperatures to raise back above freezing until at least the middle of January. With that said, be sure to take great care of yourself and others when out in the cold. The OSU Extension Agricultural Safety and Health Program team recently published an article about Winter Weather Preparedness on the Farm. You can check it out here for some great tips on being out in the cold.

This week included a lot of teaching for myself. Tuesday was spent mostly teaching pesticide and fertilizer recertification in Auglaize County. The first Hardin County recertification program is coming up on January 23. This class is full but there are still spots available for the February 17 program. You can sign-up to attend the February program here.

Due to low registrations, Farm Financial Fitness Night scheduled for January 15 here in Hardin County, has been canceled. We are possibly looking to reschedule this program. Stay tuned for possible details on this being rescheduled.

We are also set to kick off the 2025 version of the Conservation Tillage Club next week. You can check out all of the details here.

As always, you can see upcoming programs and details in Hardin County here and other outside of the county programs here.

Take care and stay warm and safe as we continue to be in full on winter mode.

Nic

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great Christmas and holiday season. New in 2025, I am going to try to write a blog post at least twice a month to start and maybe get to an every week schedule. Today marks my two year work anniversary with Ohio State University Extension and at this point, have been in the Hardin County office a little over three months. I has been a great two years in Extension and it has been wonderful so far working in the Hardin County office. I have been fortunate to meet and work with many folks in Hardin County so far and I look forward to continuing that in 2025.

Winter time in Agriculture and Natural Resources is a very busy time of winter programs and meetings. We are gearing up for annual pesticide and fertilizer certification programs, programs to help folks obtain a fertilizer certification or prepare to take the pesticide license exams, and conduct some farm financial management programs. Conservation tillage club programs will start soon and I will be starting up the monthly Ag Council meetings soon as well. The Hardin County Master Gardener Volunteers will also hold their annual Spring Seminar in March. Details about that program will be shared as they become available. You can find all upcoming program information here.

I wish everyone a successful and healthy 2025. It will be growing season again before we know.

Nic