Here is a summary of reported rainfall totals for April from throughout Licking County.  For comparison, 2023 April average was 4.17 and 2024 April average was 6.70.  I can also tell you that most people have already exceeded the May totals for the last 2 years.

The Licking County Extension Office is currently taking applications for a part time Office Associate position.  The deadline for applications is May 18, 2025.

Position Highlights

The primary role of the support staff member in Licking County is to support the county office team members in their educational, research, and service efforts.

• Supporting all Extension program areas as requested, utilizing technology to create correspondence, newsletters, brochures, and flyers.
• Answering phones, assisting clients, coordinating calendars, creating reports, and maintaining records.
• Working as a team member to provide a high level of customer service, ensuring that the process is timely, efficient, and accurate.
• Maintaining program information including files and databases.
• Helping maintain the county’s general fiscal records, conducting or supporting banking, ensuring financial documents conform to university guidelines.
• Maintaining equipment inventory log, tracking equipment checked out of the office, and maintaining office supply inventory, copier, and other leased equipment contracts.

How to apply

Visit: hr.osu.edu/careers and search for job #R127807 (Office Services Coordinator 2) to view the complete position description and to apply.

OSU Extension’s Licking County Master Gardener Volunteers are providing two outdoor clinics in May.

May 17 – Choosing and preparing a vegetable garden plot.

May 31 – What to grow and how to grow it successfully.

Classes will be from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the Learning Garden behind the Extension Office.  In case of rain, classes will move into the polyhouse at the same location.

Click here for flyer

I continue to receive calls about poison Hemlock.  While it will soon be having white flowers and going to seed, we still need to work together to get this weed under control.

Poison hemlock is an invasive weed that continues to spread rapidly across Licking County as well as the rest of the state.  It is on the Ohio Noxious Weed List.  Ten years ago, you would find it in a few patches here and there but now you see it along almost every roadside, fence row, stream, and nature path.  The County, Townships, and Park Districts are working to control poison hemlock in their areas, but it is critical that property owners also eradicate this weed from their property.

Why is it important? 

All parts of poison hemlock are toxic to people and animals!  This is one of the deadliest plants in North America.  This plant is toxic through ingestion or absorption through sensitive areas such as the eyes or nasal passages.  Contrary to some social media posts, poison hemlock is not known to cause skin rashes.  Wild parsnip may grow in the same areas, has some similar appearance characteristics, and can cause severe skin irritation from contact.  It is important to be familiar with the differences between these two plants.  Wild parsnip has yellow flowers, does not have purple spotting on the stems, and has less of a lacelike appearance on the leaves.

Identification

Poison hemlock has a 2-year life cycle and will vary greatly in appearance depending on the stage in its life.  The plants will reach 6-10 ft. tall in their second year and in early summer will have white flowers that look similar to wild carrot.  The large stalks will have a characteristic purple spotted appearance. In the fall and early spring, poison hemlock will be found as a thick rosette.

Pictures thanks to Joe Boggs – OSU Extension

Control (From Purdue fact sheet FNR-437-W)

When the plants are big, the most effective control may be mowing to prevent seed production, followed with herbicide applications to rosettes and resprouts.

• Manual – Can be effective for single plants or very small infestations. Pull or dig up all plants, place in trash bag and dispose of with regular trash. Always wear protective clothing, including gloves and eye protection, to prevent the plant from contacting skin.
• Mechanical – Mowing or cutting may be effective control but must be repeated often because the taproot can send up new shoots after a single mowing. Tilling or grubbing can kill hemlock and prevent seed production but is generally not recommended because of soil disturbance.
• Chemical – Effective for large infestations and for spot spray applications to individuals and clumps. Herbicide application should be performed while the plant is actively growing and before flowering. First year basal rosettes may be sprayed from midsummer through fall. Second-year plants begin bolting flower stalks in April and begin flowering in mid-May. Follow-up treatments will be required, as seeds already present in the soil sprout. Follow label directions and use a surfactant to increase effectiveness. Some herbicide options are: Glyphosate containing at least a 41 percent concentration can be mixed to create a 2 percent spray solution. Thoroughly wet all surfaces of the plant but not to the point of runoff.  For other concentrations of glyphosate, adjust mixture according to the label.  Use caution with glyphosate as it is nonselective and will damage or kill any plant it contacts. Other options include 2,4-D or Triclopyr.  These are broadleaf-specific herbicides that will not harm grasses. Herbicides are most effective on first-year rosettes or very small second-year plants.

Glyphosate, 2,4-D, and Triclopyr are active ingredients in herbicides and are sold under a number of brand names.  These are commonly sold and used by homeowners.  Ask your supplier for assistance with brands they carry.

Once the plant has bloomed, chemical control is too late.  Seed is already formed and will likely be viable.  Mowing when seed has formed will likely spread the seed further. This seed typically survives about 2-3 years in the soil.

While noxious weeds in public right of ways are cared for by government organizations such as the township, county, or park district, it is very important that homeowners do their part to help prevent the spread of noxious plants.

For further information, look up articles by Joe Boggs in the Buckeye Yard & Garden online or contact your local OSU Extension office.  In Licking County, the number is 740-670-5315.

The Lamb Luau show will be taking place again this year on June 7, 2025.  This is a great opportunity to get those lambs and goats out to a show before the fair.  The event is organized by the Licking County Sheep Improvement Committee and sponsored by many local businesses.

Click on this link for the flyer with details:   Lamb Luau 2025 with logo

This link will take you to the most recent Ohio Fruit News OFN_APR_2025 FINAL

By: Julie Wayman

Community Development Educator

OSU Extension Ashtabula County

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Ohio State Extension announced plans to host a Small Farm Conference in Wooster, OH on March 8th. The theme for this year’s Small Farm Conference is “Sowing Seeds for Success.”

Conference session topics are geared to beginning and small farm owners as well as to farms looking to diversify their operation. There will be five different conference tracks including: Horticulture and Crop Production, Business Management, Livestock, Natural Resources and Diversifying Your Enterprise.

Some conference topic highlights include: Growing in a Hoophouse, Integrated Disease Management Strategies for Apple and Peaches, High Tunnel Tour, Using Cover Crops for Soil Regeneration, Creating Habitat for Beneficial Insects on the Farm, Growing Microgreens, Money to Grow: Grants 101, Growing Your Farm With Agritourism, Navigating Licenses/Certificates for your Small Farm Market, How Can Value – Added Help Your Farm, Vaccination Programs for a Small Farm, Grassfed Beef Tour.

Anyone interested in developing, growing or diversifying their small farm is invited to attend including market gardeners, farmers market vendors, and anyone interested in small farm living.

Attendees will have the opportunity to browse a trade show featuring the newest and most innovative ideas and services for their farming operation. The conference provides an opportunity to talk with the vendors and network with others.

The Conference will take place on March 8th from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Ohio State University Wooster Campus Shisler Conference Center, 1680 Madison Ave, Wooster, Ohio 44691.

For conference and registration information call OSU Extension Morrow County 419-947-1070, or OSU Extension Knox County 740-397-0401. Please follow this link to register for the conference: https://Go.osu.edu/2025smallfarmconference

For complete brochure click here:2025 Small Farms Conference Brochure

We all tend to put off making decisions that involve the death of family members.  While these may be hard conversations, they need to happen so that farms and property can be smoothly transitioned to a new generation.  We are holding a two evening meeting designed to teach you about steps to take and questions to ask.  No products or services are being sold.  OSU Extension is providing education.  The meetings will take place in the Babcock Building at the Hartford Fairgrounds on March 13 and 18, 2025.  The meetings will be from 6-9 p.m. and the fee is $25 per couple to cover the cost of materials and snacks.  Additional family members can attend for $15 per person.  Reservations deadline is March 7.

Workshop topics include: Developing Legacy Goals; Planning for the Transition of Management; Planning for the Unexpected; Communication and Conflict Management; Legal Tools and Strategies; Developing Your Team; Getting Your Affairs in Order; and Selecting an Attorney.

Our teaching team will help answer the following questions and much more!

• Who should we leave the farm to?
• How do we prepare the next generation to manage the farm in the future?
• How can we overcome family communication issues?
• How do we value sweat equity?
• What is the difference between a will and trust?
• Will I lose my farm to estate taxes or to the nursing home?
• What do we need to do to be better prepared to meet with an attorney and other professionals?
• What resources does OSU Extension have to assist us as we develop our plan?

Click on this link for registration form and call the office at 740-670-5315 with any issues.  PlanningforFutureofFarmRegistration2025 1 page

This workshop is being cosponsored by Ohio Corn and Wheat.