Agriculture and Natural Resources/Community Development Extension Educator
August 27, 2018
First, congratulations to all of the participants in the 2018 Highland County Fair. You’ve made it to fair week. This in itself is a huge accomplishment. You’ve completed your project books, made an amazing project to display, and worked tirelessly with your livestock projects for weeks, months, and in some cases years.
Growing up, I participated in my county fair as both a 4-H and FFA member. I have many good memories from my fair experiences. I hope you are all able to have a similar experience, but most importantly to have a safe and healthy fair week.
I will be at the fair all week demonstrating a 360° video highlighting Highland County agriculture and community events. This demonstration will showcase the future of innovative educational videos, as well as a variety of agricultural production techniques. This demonstration will be available daily in the hospitality tent. Times for this demonstration will be announced via the Highland County Extension Facebook page. For those of you who are not able to attend the Highland County Fair this year, the video will be made available on the county blog after the fair concludes.
In conclusion, I wish all of the participants the best of luck. Remember to try to keep yourself and your livestock cool this coming week.
P.S. – The first 20 youth participating in the Highland County Fair to visit me at the Virtual Reality video station in the Hospitality Tent will receive a Buckeye for good luck.
Upcoming Events:
Beef Quality Assurance Trainings:
Thursday, September 13, 2018, 6:30 P.M., Producers Stockyards, Hillsboro
Thursday, October 25, 2018, 6:30 P.M., Producers Stockyards, Hillsboro
Call your local Ohio State University Extension Office to register for the date and location of the BQA training of your choice. The Highland County Extension Office can be reached at 937-393-1918.
Tickets for the 2018 Farm Science Review are now available at the Highland County Extension Office. Tickets purchased at the Highland County Extension Office are $7, tickets will be $10 at the gate. Children 5 and under are free.
Agriculture and Natural Resources/Community Development Extension Educator
August 23, 2018
Wilma, Brooke Beam’s 3-year-old Collie dog, out for a walk on the family farm.
Dogs are great. They are generally loveable, have better attitudes than most humans, and are always glad to see you when you get home. The family dog is the most loyal confidant you could ever have. They are always eager to assist on crop scouting field trips, finish your leftovers, and make sure you are covered in their hair whenever you have someplace important to go to.
But did you know that your dog might be good for your health beyond putting a smile on your face? In the midst of the current trade wars, lower commodity prices, and a growing trend of mental illness in the United States’ agricultural community, farmers may want to consider their dog as a valuable asset for their mental and physical health.
According to Miltiades and Shearer (2011), individuals in rural areas have lower levels of depression when their pet plays a central role in their life and they are able to physically care for the pet. Another study found that dog ownership has been found to decrease the likelihood of depression in people with infectious diseases (Muldoon et al., 2017).
Dogs have the ability to combat depression because they keep their owners moving, are a good distraction from the daily challenges they face, and dogs are active listeners. Being outside with your pets is also a way to increase your intake of vitamin D. “The body makes vitamin D when skin is directly exposed to the sun” and it helps maintain strong bones and immune systems fight bacteria and viruses (National Institutes of Health, 2016).
Dollie, the Beam family’s last Collie, was an active participant in the daily activities on the farm. In this case, she was helping with spring planting.
Walking your dog can help you achieve the Physical Activity Guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is “recommended that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity, or an equivalent combination each week. The guidelines also recommend that children and adolescents be active for at least 60 minutes every day” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018, p.1). By achieving these goals while walking your dog, it decreases your risk for heart disease, cancer or diabetes.
In conclusion, dogs have many added benefits for your health beyond being your best friend. Reducing the risk for depression, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are all added benefits of spending time with your dog.
For Help
If you or a loved one is suffering or experiencing a crisis, or if you have a friend who is suffering or in crisis, you can call 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text “HOPE” to 741-741. Each of these options provides access to a licensed counselor 24/7. You may also contact your county’s mental health and recovery board. Ohio residents needing help in finding mental health resources in their county or interested in taking a class in Mental Health First Aid can contact Jami Dellifield atdellifield.2@osu.edu or 419-674-2297.
Miltiades, H., & Shearer, J. (June 01, 2011). Attachment to pet dogs and depression in rural older adults. Anthrozoos, 24, 2, 147-154.
Muldoon, A., Kuhns, L., Supple, J., Jacobson, K., Garofalo, R. (2017). A Web-Based Study of Dog Ownership and Depression Among People Living With HIV. JMIR Mental Health, 4, 53. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5700404/.
Tuesday, August 28, 2018, 6:30 P.M., Union Stockyards, Hillsboro
Thursday, September 13, 2018, 6:30 P.M., Producers Stockyards, Hillsboro
Thursday, October 25, 2018, 6:30 P.M., Producers Stockyards, Hillsboro
Call your local Ohio State University Extension Office to register for the date and location of the BQA training of your choice. The Highland County Extension Office can be reached at 937-393-1918.
Tickets for the 2018 Farm Science Review are now available at the Highland County Extension Office. Tickets purchased at the Highland County Extension Office are $7, tickets will be $10 at the gate. Children 5 and under are free.
Agriculture and Natural Resources/Community Development Extension Educator
Currently, the rolling landscapes of southern Ohio are filled with lush, green fields of crops that create a picturesque scenery for those who stop to enjoy the view. The same can be said for those who stop to enjoy the local products of agricultural producers as their plate will be filled with fresh, flavorful food. Local produce and meats have numerous benefits for both the consumer and agricultural producer. These benefits include economic stimulus, environmental, health, and quality of life benefits.
Did you know that the average family of three spends $9,000.00 annually on food? According to Brian Raison, from Ohio State University Extension, if the average family of three spent just 10 percent of their money on local foods, it would cause an economic impact of $900 to go to local producers. More consumers of local foods would lead to a greater economic impact for local agricultural producers. Currently, agricultural markets are in a challenging place for many farmers in the United States. Diversification into multiple commodities is one way to help alleviate some of the financial stress caused by lower commodity prices, but there also needs to be a strong local market for these products.
Local foods don’t travel thousands of miles to be marketed, and therefore do not have as many negative environmental impacts. “Food imported from far away is older and has traveled on trucks or planes, and sat in warehouses” before it gets to the consumer (Grubinger, 2010, p. 2). Due to the decreased travel time, the food is fresher, contains more nutrients, and is generally more colorful (Grubinger, 2010; Raison, 2014).
Additionally, local foods have positive health benefits. Going for a walk at a u-pick farm, eating fresh produce, and preparing meals at home with family all have added physical and mental health benefits. Going to local farm businesses can be a social experience. Meeting new people, trying new things, and learning about local food production can be a great opportunity for people of any age to become more active in the community.
What are some local foods and where can you find them? Great question! Apples, peaches, sweet corn, strawberries, lettuce, tomatoes, meat, and milk, among others, are all produced locally and available for your table (some things may only be available seasonally). There are multiple farm stands, farmers markets, orchards, and u-pick farms you can visit to purchase these (and more) local products. If you don’t want to go through the process of making a pie or salad with fresh fruit, there are bakeries and restaurants in Highland County that are using local products on their menu. So, try something new tonight and eat locally.
For more information about local foods contact the Highland County Extension Office at 937-393-1918.
The next Monthly Extension Program will be held on August 27, 2018, at the Pondo Center in Hillsboro, Ohio. The guest speaker will be Dr. Scott Shearer, who will discuss Big Data and UAVs in Production Agriculture. Advanced registration is required as lunch will be included in the registration fee. Tickets are available for purchase at the Highland County Extension Office at 937-393-1918. The cost of registration is $20.00. The deadline to purchase a ticket in advance is August 23, 2018. For more information contact Brooke Beam at 937-393-1918 or beam.49@osu.edu.
Beef Quality Assurance Trainings:
Tuesday, August 28, 2018, 6:30 P.M., Union Stockyards, Hillsboro
Thursday, September 13, 2018, 6:30 P.M., Producers Stockyards, Hillsboro
Thursday, October 25, 2018, 6:30 P.M., Producers Stockyards, Hillsboro
Call your local Ohio State University Extension Office to register for the date and location of the BQA training of your choice. The Highland County Extension Office can be reached at 937-393-1918.
Tickets for the 2018 Farm Science Review are now available at the Highland County Extension Office. Tickets purchased at the Highland County Extension Office are $7, tickets will be $10 at the gate. Children 5 and under are free.
Agriculture and Natural Resources/Community Development Extension Educator
Leadership Highland participants pictured from left to right: Scott Hopf, Mike Hart, Rob Holt, Mat Greene, Destiny Bryson, Michelle Unsworth, Liz Brennfleck, Diana Grooms, and Melissa Elmore. Not pictured Dan Pearce.
The Leadership Highland class of 2018-2019 met for the first time at Rocky Fork State Park on August 8, 2018. Participants in this year’s class include: Michael Hart (Great Oaks), Scott Hopf (Merchants Bank), Melissa Elmore (The Highland County Chamber of Commerce), Robert Holt (Bagshaw Enterprises), Diana Grooms (First State Bank), Michelle Unsworth (Weastec, Inc.), Mathew Greene (Edward Jones), Elizabeth Brennfleck (Highland and Fayette County Boards of Developmental Disabilities), Daniel Pearce (HighCo. Inc.), and Destiny Bryson (Visitors Bureau of Highland County).
The first day of Leadership Highland was held at the East End Overlook.Dr. Jeff King, from The Ohio State University Leadership Center, taught team building skills and discussed the participant’s individual Meyers-Briggs evaluations during the morning session. Commissioners Terry Britton and Jeff Duncan provided an update on county projects occurring in the Rocky Fork Lake region.
Leadership Highland class members participating in team building exercises with Dr. Jeff King.
Matthew Lewis and Officer Adam Sommerville, of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, discussed the daily operation, routine maintenance, and safety practices utilized at Rocky Fork State Park. Lewis and Sommerville also provided a boat tour of the lake demonstrating dredging efforts near the campground area, Bald Eagle nesting areas, and the re-development of a children’s fishing lake.
Rocky Fork Lake Tour with Matt Lewis and Officer Sommerville.
The day concluded with Meredith Oglesby and Lauren Grover teaching the participants proper dining etiquette.
Etiquette training dinner with Lauren Grover and Meredith Oglesby at the East End Overlook.
The next full meeting of Leadership Highland will be on September 19, 2018, focusing on the history of Highland County. A portion of the Leadership Highland participants will be traveling to Toledo in late August to visit the 180th Fighter Wing and learn about the Brushcreek/Buckeye Military Operating Area over Highland County. For more information about Leadership Highland, contact the Extension Office at 937-393-1918.
Upcoming Events
Beef Quality Assurance Trainings:
Tuesday, August 14, 2018, Noon, Union Stockyards, Hillsboro
Tuesday, August 28, 2018, 6:30 P.M., Union Stockyards, Hillsboro
Thursday, September 13, 2018, 6:30 P.M., Producers Stockyards, Hillsboro
Thursday, October 25, 2018, 6:30 P.M., Producers Stockyards, Hillsboro
Call your local Ohio State University Extension Office to register for the date and location of the BQA training of your choice. The Highland County Extension Office can be reached at 937-393-1918.
The next Monthly Extension Program will be held on August 27, 2018, at the Pondo Center in Hillsboro, Ohio. The guest speaker will be Dr. Scott Shearer, who will discuss Big Data and UAVs in Production Agriculture. Advanced registration is required as lunch will be included in the registration fee. Tickets are available for purchase at the Highland County Extension Office at 937-393-1918. The cost of registration is $20.00. The deadline to purchase a ticket in advance is August 23, 2018. For more information contact Brooke Beam at 937-393-1918 or beam.49@osu.edu.
Tickets for the 2018 Farm Science Review, a three-day agricultural trade show Sept. 18-20, are now available for purchase at the OSU Extension Office. This year’s show at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center near London will have a larger exhibit area, and improvements have been made so visitors can better access parking, the ever-popular “Ride and Drive” area as well as other offerings.
The annual event features 4,000 product lines and over 700 commercial and educational exhibits as well as workshops and presentations delivered by experts from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) at The Ohio State University, which sponsors the event.
Now in its 56th year, the Farm Science Review offers visitors educational talks, displays and other opportunities presented by educators, specialists and faculty from OSU Extension and Purdue Extension, as well as the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC). OSU Extension is the outreach arm of the college, and OARDC is the research arm.
Tickets for the Farm Science Review are $7 at the OSU Extension Office and $10 at the gate. Children 5 and under are free.
The Farm Science Review hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept 18-19 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 20. For more information, visit fsr.osu.edu
While it may be difficult to comprehend, entertainment consumes a large portion of Americans’ lives.
In 2016, Americans were consuming entertainment media (viewing television, the Internet, mobile apps, etc.) for 10 hours and 39 minutes per day (Koblin, 2016). Therefore, the average American was consuming 306,315.3 hours of entertainment programming in their lifetime (44.3 percent of the average life expectancy calculated at 78.8 years) (Stein, 2016).
How many hours of entertainment have you consumed today?
When you stop to think how many times you have looked at your social media, personal email, or YouTube, it’s not such a stretch to see how many Americans accumulate 10 hours and 39 minutes of entertainment consumption in a day. Internet content is expected to consist of 82 percent of video traffic by 2020, which will also significantly increase the time spent by Americans consuming entertainment yearly (Cisco Visual Networking Index, 2016).
Particularly in the agricultural industry, where less than 2 percent of the nation’s population identifies as a farmer, communication and public relations efforts will rely on messages delivered via entertainment media. Due to the large number of non-farmers in the United States, it is essential for the agricultural industry to utilize transparency in their communication strategies as well as keep up with emerging entertainment trends. Millennials are considered the driving force behind many of the current food trends. They are also the first generation to grow up with the internet, and they desire transparent communications about agriculture and their food (G. Johnson, 2016).
One way to have transparency in communications is the use of virtual reality. Virtual reality (VR) seems like it is something out of a futuristic movie, like Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One (2018). However, the future of VR technology is already available and is gaining popularity with educational institutions through the implementation of virtual field trips.
VR is a concept that encompasses several kinds of immersive media that is typically viewed by wearing a headset. The two main components of VR media are 360° videos and augmented reality (AR). The 360° videos are able to provide viewers with an interactive view of the scene. AR is where the viewer has a live view of what is around them, but has additional computer generated (CG) graphics or audio incorporated over the live view.
As a Millennial, a farmer, an agricultural communicator, and an Extension Educator, I love the opportunity to share educational information via videos. I believe one way to have true transparency of video messages is through the use of 360° video. This allows the viewer to have the full picture – there’s nothing cropped or hidden from view. Viewers of 360° videos are able to have a true virtual experience of the scene they are viewing.
I have had the opportunity to use two 360° video cameras to create several videos for upcoming projects. At the Highland County Fair, September 1-8, 2018, I will be demonstrating VR videos. The video shown below is a 360° video highlighting aerial application of fungicide, the Fallsville Wildlife Area waterfall, my cat (Mr. Socks), and the Hillsboro 4th of July Fireworks finale. If you are viewing the video on a computer, use the circular toggle on the upper left corner to change the perspective of the video. If you are using a mobile device, move your phone around to change the view or use your fingers to drag the screen in multiple directions. The best way to view a 360° video is with a VR headset. If you have access to a VR headset, use the split-screen function to view the video for the optimal experience.
Here are some tips for making your own VR videos:
Have a good, stable tripod.
Be close to the action of the scene, as there is currently no zoom function on 360° cameras.
Remember to bring your camera charger if you are planning on a long video shoot.
If you are filming in a windy area, utilize a secondary audio source.
Use SD cards that have large amounts of available space because the file sizes of high definition 360° videos are large.
Allow for more time to edit 360° video content. The GoPro Fusion camera requires two SD cards and needs additional time to render.
If you are interested in viewing more 360° videos, there are an increasing number of 360° videos online. The New York Times has a channel called the Daily 360, National Geographic made the first 360° video in space with the help of astronaut Paolo Nespoli, and Google offers Google Expeditions. You can also find other 360° videos on YouTube.
Individuals attending the Highland County Fair this year will have the opportunity to view a different video with a VR headset. The video shown at the fair will highlight agricultural production and the Highland County community. For more information about 360° video production or when the video will be available at the Highland County Fair, contact Brooke Beam at beam.49@osu.edu or at 937-393-1918.
References:
Cisco Visual Networking Index. (2016, June 1). White paper: Cisco VNI Forecast and Methodology, 2015-2020. Retrieved April 17, 2017, from Cisco: http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/service-provider/visual networkingindex-vni/complete-white-paper-c11-481360.html
Johnson, G. (2016a, February). Food Trends: Consumers Want Healthy, Local Foods. Successful Farming.
Koblin, J. (2016b, June 8). Netflix Studied Your Binge-Watching Habit. That Didn’t Take Long. Retrieved May 12, 2017, from The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/09/business/media/netflix-studied-your-bingewatching-habit-it-didnt-take-long.html
Spielberg, S. (2018). Ready Player One [Motion Picture].
Stein, R. (2016, December 8). Life Expectancy in U.S. Drops For First Time In Decades, Report Finds. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from NPR: http://www.npr.org/sections/health shots/2016/12/08/504667607/life-expectancy in-u-s-drops-for-first-time-in-decadesreport-finds
Tuesday, August 14, 2018, Noon, Union Stockyards, Hillsboro
Tuesday, August 28, 2018, 6:30 P.M., Union Stockyards, Hillsboro
Thursday, September 13, 2018, 6:30 P.M., Producers Stockyards, Hillsboro
Thursday, October 25, 2018, 6:30 P.M., Producers Stockyards, Hillsboro
Call your local Ohio State University Extension Office to register for the date and location of the BQA training of your choice. The Highland County Extension Office can be reached at 937-393-1918.
The next Monthly Extension Program will be held on August 27, 2018, at the Pondo Center in Hillsboro, Ohio. The guest speaker will be Dr. Scott Shearer, who will discuss Big Data and UAVs in Production Agriculture. Advanced registration is required as lunch will be included in the registration fee. Tickets are available for purchase at the Highland County Extension Office at 937-393-1918. The cost of registration is $20.00. The deadline to purchase a ticket in advance is August 23, 2018. For more information contact Brooke Beam at 937-393-1918 or beam.49@osu.edu.
If you haven’t been to the Ohio State Fair yet, there is still time. Did you know there are over 100 Highland County youth participating in the Ohio State Fair this year? The fair concludes on August 5, 2018. However, take time to watch the video to see a handful of the Highland County participants.
When you stop to think how many times you have looked at your social media, personal email, or YouTube, it’s not such a stretch to see how many Americans accumulate 10 hours and 39 minutes of entertainment consumption in a day. Internet content is expected to consist of 82 percent of video traffic by 2020, which will also significantly increase the time spent by Americans consuming entertainment yearly (Cisco Visual Networking Index, 2016).
