Farm Safety Day Camp – 80 and Sunny!

There is still time to register and the weather forecast is perfect.  This takes place Tuesday July 23rd.  Call 740-670-5315 to register.

Accidents on farms can be life changing for rural families.  Many times these accidents could have been prevented.  The Licking Valley FFA and OSU Extension are working together to provide a Farm Safety Day Camp.  There are many dangerous situations that can be encountered by kids on farms.  Our goal is to make the attendees aware of some of these situations and how they can react safely.  This is not just for kids that are raised on farms.  Anyone that has children that visit friends or family that have even the smallest farm should send their kids.  We are able to provide this camp, a t-shirt and lunch for $10 per participant thanks to our support from the Licking County Farm Bureau and the Professional Agrarians of Licking County.  Please click on this link for registration information. AG Farm Safety Day 07.23.19

Women in Agriculture Dinner at Raven’s Glenn Winery

Join other area women for an evening of learning, networking, idea sharing, and a delicious meal.
The theme for the evening will be “Managing Agriculture’s Topsy-Turvy Ride.”
Come learn about the current influences on agriculture markets, tools for decision making,
and strategies to cope with the stresses of agricultural life.

Please click on this link for details: Women in Ag Dinner 2019 Registration Flyer

Soil & Water Offers Conservation Mini-Grants

Contact: Denise Natoli Brooks, 740-670-5330

NEWARK, OH (July 12, 2019) – Since 1944, Licking County Soil & Water Conservation District exists to promote wise use of our land and water.  During those 75 years, Licking Soil & Water has been working with countless landowners to manage and protect natural resources on public and private lands.  This year, for their 75th Anniversary, Licking Soil & Water is reflecting on its history in and impact on Licking County.

The Licking Soil & Water’s announces a new Mini-Grant program for up to $1,000 for conservation projects within Licking County.  The Mini-Grant program is made possible through the Licking Soil & Water 75th Anniversary Fund.  This new program will award up to $5,000 in 2019.

The program is open to non-profit organizations such as schools, watershed groups, local government entities, municipalities, community groups (including governing bodies and associations such as HOA’s and condo associations) and civic associations.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until December 1, 2019 and will be awarded on a first come, first served basis.  Projects can include habitat improvement, equipment for environmental education, green infrastructure, pollinator or native plant installation and soil improvement initiatives.

Program details and application are available at www.LickingSWCD.com.

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For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Denise Natoli Brooks, Program Administrator with Licking Soil & Water, 740-670-5330.

 

Farm Safety Day Camp for youth

Accidents on farms can be life changing for rural families.  Many times these accidents could have been prevented.  The Licking Valley FFA and OSU Extension are working together to provide a Farm Safety Day Camp.  There are many dangerous situations that can be encountered by kids on farms.  Our goal is to make the attendees aware of some of these situations and how they can react safely.  This is not just for kids that are raised on farms.  Anyone that has children that visit friends or family that have even the smallest farm should send their kids.  We are able to provide this camp, a t-shirt and lunch for $10 per participant thanks to our support from the Licking County Farm Bureau and the Professional Agrarians of Licking County.  Please click on this link for registration information. AG Farm Safety Day 07.23.19

Farms, recreational activities and legal risk

Farm Office Blog

Ohio Ag Law Blog–Farms, recreational activities and legal risk

Tuesday, July 2nd, 2019

Written by Peggy Kirk Hall, Associate Professor, Agricultural & Resource Law

With summer in full swing, Ohio’s poor planting season won’t dampen the desires of those who want to use farmland for recreational activities like fishing or riding ATVs.  And while we worry over the washouts in so many farm fields, an archaeological buff recently explained that those wash outs provide a good opportunity to find arrowheads and other relics.  The fact that a field wasn’t planted didn’t stop a hot air balloon operator from asking a farmer if he could land in the unplanted field recently.   Even when the land is not highly productive, Ohio farmland is always appealing to recreational enthusiasts for these and other types of recreational activities.

But what if a farmer doesn’t want recreational enthusiasts on the property or doesn’t want the risk of potential liability for a recreational user?  A few of our resources provide guidance for these situations, which we can address in two important questions:

1.    Do you not want people engaging in recreational activities on your farm?  If so, then take a look at our law bulletin on The Do’s and Don’ts of Dealing with Trespassers on the Farm.  If you don’t give a person permission to come onto the farm for recreational purposes, the person is trespassing if he or she chooses to enter the property without your permission.  But be aware that a landowner can’t intentionally put a trespasser in harm’s way and in certain situations, can be liable for a trespasser who suffers harm on the property.  Know the legal rules for dealing with trespassers so that you can protect your property without risking liability.  We explain these rules and situations in the law bulletin.

2.    Are you okay with letting a person use your farm for recreational activities?  If so, you’ll want to read our law bulletin on Okay to Play:  Ohio Recreational User Statute Limits Liability for Hunters, Snowmobilers, and More.  Ohio’s Recreational User Statute offers immunity to landowners who allow recreational uses, but only if the landowner meets the four conditions of the law.  A landowner of nonresidential premises who gives permission to a person to engage in recreational activities without charging a fee doesn’t have the traditional legal duty to keep the recreational user safe from harm.  Our law bulletin explains each of the statute’s important conditions in detail so that a landowner can qualify for its liability protection.

Like the weather, managing the risk of recreational users and trespassers on the farm is a constant challenge for farmers.  But unlike the weather, a landowner can effectively control this type of risk.  When someone shows up to fish, ride ATVs, hunt arrowheads or land a balloon on the farm, be ready by having a good understanding of the laws that apply to recreational activities on the farm.

Managing your Woodland

We’ve been busy over the past couple of weeks designing a program specifically to help woodland owners take care of their woodlands, and with the bustle of the Independence Day holiday approaching we felt like it would be a good idea to remind you that we’ve extended the deadline to July 9 for our July 12 A DAY in the WOODS program-Woodland Stewardship Opportunities.

We understand that Ohioans own woodlands for a variety of reasons ranging from solitude and birdwatching to the hunting and income opportunities. We also appreciate the fact that the resources (Time, Energy and Money) that you need to make progress on your goals are limited, but don’t forget that we’re here to help!  Join us on July 12 to meet foresters, wildlife biologists and other natural resources professionals from ODNR-Division of Forestry, OSU Extension, the Natural Resources Conservation Service,  local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and the National Wild Turkey Federation who can help you understand your options and access to the many resources that are available to you.

For more details about this program please visit:   http://u.osu.edu/apsley.1/2019/06/21/woodland-stewardship-opportunities-program-offered-at-the-vinton-furnace-state-forest-on-friday-july-12th/

We look forward to seeing you on July 12.  Have a happy and safe Independence Day Holiday

David Apsley
Natural Resources Specialist
College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Ohio State University Extension
17 Standpipe Road, Jackson, OH 45640
740-710-3009 Mobile
apsley.1@osu.edu

u.osu.edu/seohiowoods

 

 

Ohio State Fair to feature inaugural Dean’s Charity Steer Show

Published on July 1, 2019

COLUMBUS—A new event that will celebrate Ohio agriculture, Ohio communities, and Ohio children is planned for the 2019 Ohio State Fair.

The inaugural Dean’s Charity Steer Show will be held from 2–4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, at the Voinovich Livestock & Trade Center at the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair.

The event will be hosted by Cathann A. Kress, vice president for agricultural administration and dean of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).

“This will be an exciting event to bring together our community to celebrate agriculture and kids, both for our 4-H youth development programs as well as youth benefitting from the Ronald McDonald House,” Kress said. “All proceeds from the show will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio.”

Thirteen celebrity exhibitors, most of whom have no livestock experience, will not only show a steer, but will also compete to see who can raise the most money for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio. Each exhibitor will be paired with an experienced 4-H livestock family and their steer, and practice with them before entering the show ring.

Families and Ohio 4-H members will represent the counties of Athens, Carroll, Fayette, Geauga, Highland, Huron, Licking (the Graham family), Miami, Pickaway, Putnam, Tuscarawas, and Wood.

Celebrity exhibitors, in addition to Kress, will include Matt Barnes, WCMH-TV Channel 4 anchor; Mark Berven, president and chief operating officer of Nationwide Property & Casualty; Bobby Carpenter, former Ohio State and NFL football player, and Anthony Rothman, sports talk hosts for “Carpenter and Rothman” on 97.1 FM The Fan, Columbus; Jay Edwards, small business owner from Athens County; Clay Hall, sports director for Columbus’ WSYX 6/Fox 28 TV; Woody Johnson, host of “Woody and the Wake-Up Call” on WCOL-FM 92.3, Columbus;

Clark Kellogg, former NBA player and lead CBS Sports college basketball analyst; Rick Malir, chief executive officer and co-founder of City Barbeque; Bob McElligott, sports broadcaster for the Columbus Blue Jackets; Shelley Meyer, former first lady of Ohio State football and instructor for Ohio State’s College of Nursing; Bob Peterson, public servant and eighth-generation farmer from Fayette County; and Adam Sharp, executive vice president of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.

“Every dollar we raise means families can stay together only steps away from their hospitalized child during one of the most stressful times of their lives,” Kress said. “Last year, more than 4,500 families were provided 82,000 nights of lodging by the Columbus Ronald McDonald House, the largest Ronald McDonald House in the world.”

The facility provides a home-away-from-home for families facing a child’s illness and hospitalization. Located across the street from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the Columbus Ronald McDonald House provides not only lodging, but also meals, a place to rest, laundry facilities, an exercise room, informal gathering areas, and activities for siblings of hospitalized children.

The Dean’s Charity Steer Show, which will be an annual event, will be coordinated by CFAES, the Telhio Credit Union, and the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association.

To learn more and to donate to your favorite celebrity exhibitor, visit give.osu.edu/deanscharitysteershow.

Ohio Hop Yard Open House

The annual Ohio Hop Yard Open House is sponsored by the Ohio Hop Growers Guild.  Farmers, consumers, brewers, or anyone interested in craft brewing or farming can stop by and tour working hop farms in action and talk directly with the hop farmers and families.

The 2019 open houses will be Saturday July 20 from 10am to 2 pm and will feature four hop yards in west central Ohio located near Conover, New Knoxville, Xenia and Mechanicsburg.

See attached flyer for hop farm addresses. No registration needed. Hop Open House 2019