Meeting season is here and based on what I have heard from folks regarding programming needs in the county, I think we have a good line up of programs this winter, and I hope to see you at one or more of them. From our flagship program, Northwest Ohio Crops Day to Pesticide Applicator Training we have been hard at work planning and preparing here in the office.
Speaking of Northwest Ohio Crops Day, time is running out to RSVP for the event on February 9th at the Bavarian Haus. Be sure to register by February 1st for the discounted rate, registration includes a light breakfast, lunch, and information packet. We have a great group of vendors, exhibitors, exhibitors and speakers lined up for the day, so be sure to come on down to Deshler and learn what you need to know going into the 2018 crop year.
Topics and featured speakers include; Evaluating Ohio’s Farm Economy with Barry Ward; Dicamba and Pigweed Update from Mark Loux; Soybean Disease Management by Anne Dorrance; Weather Trends; Revising the Tri-State Fertility Guide; and an Agronomic Insect Update. Furthermore, there will be credits available for certified crop advisors.
The next event in late February is the Henry County Direct Marketing School. OSU Henry County Extension and the Henry County Chamber of Commerce are proud to offer a two-day program designed to help growers and producers market their products to the public and further develop the local foods system in Henry County and NW Ohio. Whether you sell produce, eggs, cottage goods, or freezer meat, this program is for you!
The program will cover branding, marketing, pricing, local foods systems, as well as product specific talks. The program take place in room 107 in the Hahn Center over two days, February 23rd and March 2nd. Included in the program fee, learning materials, 2 lunches, and a tour of a local, successful produce greenhouse and market.
We will kick off the month of March with a free opportunity to learn about how to become involved swine industry. With the new hog packing plant in Coldwater Michigan, there is a need for more contract swine growers in the region. We will discuss barn citing, financing, manure management, and hear from a panel of Henry County newest swine producers. This program will take place March 1st at the American Legion Annex in Napoleon at 6:15 p.m.
The meeting season will round out with two Farm Management nights at the fire station in Hamler, on March 12th and 19th. The first meeting will cover an outlook of the farm economy, an update on Extension in Henry County, as discussion regarding agricultural law covering everything from land leases to dicamba use. The second meeting will feature an in-depth look at costs of production for corn and soybeans by Fulton County Extension Educator Eric Richer, coupled with a conversation on grain marketing and risk management with Henry County’s own Bailey Elchinger of INTL FCStone. Both evenings will begin at 6:30 p.m.
To find more information on any event or to RSVP contact the office by phone at 419-592-0806 or via my email at ruff.72@osu.edu. I’ll conclude this week’s column with a quote from Mark Twain, who said “Thousands of geniuses live and die undiscovered – either by themselves or by others.” Have a great week.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 25th BASF Dicamba Training, Findlay
Feb. 1st RSVP’s due for NW Ohio Crops Day
Feb. 9th NW Ohio Crops Day
Garth Ruff,
Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator
OSU Henry County Extension