Zanesville, OH—The Master Gardener Volunteer Program has been in Ohio for many years and I had the opportunity last week to attend the state conference this year in Columbus. Volunteers from many counties around Ohio came out to learn from experience practitioners in the various horticultural endeavors. I sat in on a session about climate issues led by Dan Herms, a former professor at Ohio State who now works for one of our well-known tree management companies in Ohio. Why are tree companies interested in climate changes discussion? As climate patterns change, so do distribution of tree species and issues such as insect infestations and disease problems. This morning we have our first snow of the season on the ground, which makes it a bit odd to discuss a warming climate, but discuss we will. Changes constantly occur and climate is no different. One trend that is often observed in agricultural studies is that precipitation is documented as occurring in higher amounts over shorter periods of time. In other words, rain comes faster and harder. Temperature is often in the news as scientists document the overall warming of the planet. At the end of all these discussions is always the questions of what is the overall impact on our lives, if all that is said will indeed occur? Tough to say, but trees are one part of the ecosystem that could see great change, and have already, if weather patterns continue in a warming trend. Here in Ohio, we may see situations that more closely mirror current ecosystem patterns of southern states like Arkansas or Georgia.
The application period for the 2020 Muskingum County Master Gardener Volunteer Training Class closes this week. Thursday, November 14 is the last day to drop off applications at the Extension Office. (https://muskingum.osu.edu/mgv).
Save the date this winter for an Ohio Beef Cow/Calf Workshop and Ohio Beef Cattle Nutrition and Management School. OSU Extension will be offering two different events on January 30 and February 13. Daytime sessions run from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and evening sessions run from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Dr. Francis Fluharty returns to Ohio in January to teach the first sessions. Watch for more information from OSU Extension in the coming weeks. (http://u.osu.edu/beef/2019/10/30/ohio-beef-winter-programs-save-the-dates/)
A check on the weather shows 0.47 in of rain at the Zanesville Weather station (Zanesville Municipal AP) in the past seven days. 30-day rainfail total is 4.31 inches and a total of 37.41 in is recorded for the year. (https://w1.weather.gov/data/obhistory/KZZV.html)
Clifton Martin, OSU Extension Educator, Agricultural and Natural Resources, Muskingum County