See the full details here.
Getting the crop in
A drone takes off to plant rye in a Lima campus field
One of the tactics in regenerative agriculture is to keep a cover on the fields throughout the year. For farmer Todd Mason, the first two tries to put rye in as a follow-on to corn at the Lima Regenerative Farm didn’t feel successful. The rye just didn’t have a chance to germinate when it was planted after the corn came off.
Due to topography and other hardscape items, planes are not an option on the campus fields. In autumn 2023, Mason called in the drones to plant the rye while the corn was still standing.
Ohio State podcast looks at sustainable farming
The Now at Ohio State podcast dives into how we can build “A Healthier Society With Sustainable Farming.” One of the guests, the late Dave Brandt, has been instrumental in developing the regenerative practices now used at Ohio State Lima. Listen now
New grant will bring prairie into the classroom
Dr. Robin K. Bagley in the Ohio State Lima prairie, one of the sites students will use to collect samples to investigate the effects of regenerative agriculture.
A grant from the Ohio State Energy Partners will open up a range of opportunities for Ohio State Lima students to develop strong research and laboratory skills that will easily transfer to future career and education paths. While building those skills, the students will also build the pool of knowledge around the effects of sustainable practices on an agricultural ecosystem. Read more
Drainage day focuses on water management
The second Drainage Installation Field Day at The Ohio State University at Lima brought out close to 100 farmers, engineers, contractors and researchers from around northwest Ohio and across the state to learn more about the installation of sub-surface drainage tile systems and their modern uses. Read more
Registration open for 2023 drainage field day at Ohio State Lima
The 2023 Drainage Installation Field Day will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Tuesday, July 25, at the Ohio State Lima Regenerative Farm. Field demonstrations will be conducted by the Ohio Land Improvement Contractors of America in an open-house-style format throughout the day. Lunch will be provided and will include a short educational presentation by Bruce Clevenger, Farm Management Field Specialist, about crop yields and the economic benefits of drainage and drainage water management. The event is free and open to the public. Parking will be available off Thayer Road. Register here.
Cover crops add a tool to deal with varying moisture levels
Before the million-dollar rain the whole region was waiting for began falling, the first corn crop planted into a cover crop at Ohio State Lima’s Regenerative Farm was struggling to form an even growth pattern due to the dry conditions. The 1.2” that fell on the farm June 11 broke a 23-day dry spell in northwest Ohio and gives any corn that was lagging enough moisture to grow.
Seeing how the crop develops in a variety of situations is just part of the process for farmer Todd Mason as he tends to the fields that are essentially a giant learning lab in addition to a working farm. Except for the 35 acres of conventional tillage test comparison plots, the whole farm is now in a cover crop rotation, which gives Mason a new tool to work with.
Early this spring when things were soggy, Mason let the cover crops grow a little longer to soak up more of the water to get him on to the fields. It worked and all the crops were in just in time for the dry streak.
Continue reading Cover crops add a tool to deal with varying moisture levels
First full season using regenerative principles proves fruitful
Todd Mason has a playbook and a lesson list for the farm project at The Ohio State University at Lima. Both come in handy as he works his way through the development of the regenerative agriculture experiment, a topic he had not tried in his own fields before signing on as the campus farmer.
“Regenerative agriculture has a lot of moving parts and you can easily miss something if you don’t document the new process,” Mason said.
The 2022 season was the first full season that had all the regenerative practices in play and Mason knows he will see different outcomes and an improving soil structure as he moves forward.
Read more
Drainage field day moves to August 16
The Drainage Installation Field Day at the The Ohio State University at Lima campus farm has been moved to Tuesday, August 16, 2022, due to field conditions brought on by the recent rains in the area.
Field demonstrations by the Ohio Land Improvement Contractors of America, or OLICA, will begin at 8 a.m., Thursday, August 16, and will continue in an open-house-style format throughout the day until 3 p.m. at the field on the corner of Thayer and Reservoir roads.
The registration tent will be in the northwest corner of the field. Parking is available along Thayer Road and in the Mowery Road access space just off Thayer Road.
The field day is brought to the area by The Ohio State University at Lima; Overholt Drainage Education and Research Program; Ohio State’s Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering; and OSU Extension, in cooperation with United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, First National Bank, Ohio Land Improvement Contractors Association, and OLICA Associate members.
Dean Tim Rehner talks about the why
Ohio State Lima Dean and Director Tim Rehner
Tim Rehner is the dean and director at The Ohio State University at Lima. He has been a driving force behind getting the regenerative farming efforts up and running on the campus agriculture fields. He shares some of his thoughts as we kick off the Voices of the Lima Farm blog.
Why has Ohio State Lima embarked on this project?
The Ohio State University is a land grant university and taking care of the “land” or soil is something that seems important. By taking care of the soil I mean we should be able to farm it while also improving it. Improving the soil quality will enable us to be part of the solution for addressing climate change. This is our part of addressing that “big” problem.
I believe that regenerative farming is a key to improving the quality of our soil and the water that penetrates and runs off our farm. The Ohio State Lima farm should be a demonstration farm that implements strategies that positively impact soil health and produces data that confirms success and financial benefits if replicated.
Likewise, the Lima Regenerative Agricultural Farm should also be a place for teaching and learning. The Lima campus and the university are always happy to partner with Ohio State University Extension. What we develop and prove on this farm should be taught to students of all ages.
What is the benefit for the agriculture community and the larger community?
Farmers are interested in their properties and their soil and water. Lessons learned from the Lima farm should help farmers do a better job in “caring” for their farms so they will be more productive for their children in the years to come. Our plans are to provide educational field day opportunities on the campus property based on the best science available. Local farmers will be invited to participate.
Farmers are also looking for ways to increase their profit margins. With the cost of fuel rising, the regenerative approaches that rely on low till and cover crops can reduce input costs. As the Lima farm proof of concept is confirmed there will be benefits to the agricultural community.
What are you most looking forward to about the efforts on the farm?
Data confirming that the transition from conventional to regenerative is worth it and that profitability and improving soil and water quality are compatible goals.
What has been the most pleasantly surprising thing to you about the farm so far?
I have been overwhelmed with how much interest has been shown from across this community related to regenerative farming. I have loved watching skeptics about this approach embrace new ideas and begin to implement them on their own farms. It has been a really exciting initiative.