Another cold and somewhat soggy week continues to delay the remainder of harvest here across much of the state. Hopefully everyone had a safe and successful deer hunting week. Back in the Southeastern corner of the state where I grew up, we always had that first day of deer gun season off from school. Someone a long time ago realized they might as well cancel classes for the day, as attendance was poor at best. Over the weekend I even made an attempt at Christmas shopping, which ranks extremely low on my list of things that have to be done. Typically, I reserve a Saturday to knock the annual deed out with my father. As you can imagine that is quite the adventure when neither of us particularly enjoy shopping, unless the John Deere dealer or a Rural King store is on our route.
It’s been a busy week here in the office with planning wrapping up for early 2019 and doing some year-end type programs. I cannot believe it is December already, seems that we were in full summer mode, not all that long ago.
As a result of some of that planning, I am pleased to announce the first of many agriculture programs to held in Henry County in 2019. In January there will be a comprehensive grain marketing series held at Northwest State Community College.
When I talk with various stakeholders, including retailers and agricultural lenders, grain marketing educations is always brought up as an area of need. This program, Improving Grain Marketing Plans will take place the on a series of Tuesday evenings, January 8, 15, and 22 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and will cover a wide range of marketing topics, with the end goal of developing a grain marketing plan for attendee’s farm operations. The program will be taught by qualified OSU Extension personnel from across the state who have expertise in the topics being taught: risk management, crop insurance, grain marketing, contracting, futures, options, and spreads. Anyone interested in the program can contact the Extension for more details or to RSVP. The class is limited to the first 30 registrations and there is a program fee of $45 per individual or $60 per farm. The fee covers a binder of resources, curriculum, and refreshments the evenings of the event. Stay tuned for more upcoming event dates and details.
I have had a couple of questions regarding commercial pesticide applicator trainings. For commercial pesticide recertification, applicators can attend one of four trainings held across the state. The closes one to NW Ohio will be held February 22th at the Kalahari Conference Center in Sandusky. Commercial applicators should put that date in their calendar. More details for commercial applicator continuing education can be found at pested.osu.edu.
With the news of Urban Meyer’s retirement from coaching football at Ohio State, it is only fitting to end this week with a quote from another coaching great and Ohio native, Lou Holtz: “If what you did yesterday seems big, you haven’t done anything today.” Have a great week.
Garth Ruff,
Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator
OSU Henry County Extension