Month: December 2018

Ring in 2019

Brooke Beam, Ph.D.

Ohio State University Extension, Highland County

Agriculture and Natural Resources/Community Development Extension Educator

As 2018 comes to a close, many individuals reflect on the past year and look forward to a prosperous, healthy, and happy New Year in 2019. There are many traditions associated with the New Years celebrations across the globe. For example, did you know that Alud Lang Syne is a Scottish song?

One of my favorite traditions is to ring in the New Year with fireworks. While I enjoy fireworks displays on television, many individuals create their own backyard fireworks displays to enjoy with family and friends. Whether you enjoy the annual New Year celebrations from the comfort of your own home or by lighting your own fireworks displays, safety for both the individuals lighting the fireworks and for those watching the displays in-person are paramount to start the New Year off right.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says that sparklers burn at 1200 °F. In comparison, water boils at 212 °F and wood burns at 575 °F. “In 2013, sparklers caused 41 percent of fireworks injuries,” according to the NFPA. More than half of fireworks-related injuries are burns, but injuries can also include contusions, lacerations, foreign object in the eye and even death, according to the NFPA and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Hand and finger injuries account for 36 percent of fireworks injuries, followed by eye (19 percent), and head, face or ear injuries (19 percent) (NFPA, 2014).

According to Dr. Nicholas Kman and Andrea Whittaker, RN, of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, “fireworks-related injuries are the most common on New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July.” Kman and Whittaker recommend several tips to avoid being injured by fireworks:

  • “Never lean over fireworks when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance right after lighting them.
  • If you find unexploded fireworks, leave them be. Never try to relight or handle them. Soak them with water and throw them away.
  • Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby.
  • Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
  • Light fireworks one at a time, then move away from them quickly.
  • Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
  • After fireworks are done burning, douse with plenty of water before throwing them away to prevent a trash fire.
  • Do not experiment with homemade fireworks or fireworks made for professional displays (these will be packaged in brown paper).
  • Parents and caretakers should always closely supervise teens using fireworks.
  • Parents should not allow young children to handle or use fireworks.
  • Only use fireworks outdoors” (Kman & Whittaker, 2018, p. 1).

If you are interested in learning more about fireworks safety or would like to become a certified pyrotechnician, Rozzi Fireworks will be holding an all-day training on April 27, 2018, at the Clinton County Fairgrounds. Registration will be available on their website, www.rozzifireworks.com, in mid-March. Celebrate the New Year responsibly and have a great start to 2019! For more information about upcoming Highland County Extension programs, contact the office at 937-393-1918.

References:

National Fire Protection Association. (2014). Fireworks Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/News-and-Research/Fire-statistics-and   reports/Fact     sheets/FireworksFactSheet.pdf.

National Fire Protection Association. (2018). Fireworks Safety Fact Sheet. Retrieved from            https://firesafety.osu.edu/posts/documents/fireworkssafetytips-july-safety-tips.pdf

Kman, N., & Whittaker, A. (2018, June 29). Fireworks safety: How you can prevent burns and injuries. Retrieved from https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/blog/firework-safety

 

Upcoming Events:

A fifth Beef Quality Assurance Training will be held at Union Stockyards on Tuesday, January 22, 2018, at 6:30 P.M. Please RSVP to the Highland County Extension Office at 937-393-1918.

The next Highland County Master Gardener Volunteer meeting will be held on Thursday, January 17, 2019, at 10 AM in the Large Meeting Room in the basement of 110 Governor Foraker Place, Hillsboro, OH.

Fertilizer and Pesticide Recertifications: 

February 19, 2019

Ponderosa Banquet Center, 545 S. High Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133

5:00 pm to 6:00 pm Fertilizer Recertification – Private and Commercial

6:30 pm Pesticide Recertification (Core, 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6) Private Applicators Only

March 4, 2018

Ponderosa Banquet Center, 545 S. High Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133

10:00 am to 11:00 am Fertilizer Recertification – Private and Commercial

11:30 am Pesticide Recertification (Core, 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6) Private Applicators Only

Registration details will come in the mail from the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Registration for OSU Extension Pesticide and Fertilizer and your renewal application for ODA Pesticide/Fertilizer must both be completed. Meals will be included at each recertification training at Ponderosa.

Keeping your Evergreen Green

Brooke Beam, Ph.D.

Ohio State University Extension, Highland County

Agriculture and Natural Resources/Community Development Extension Educator

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how lovely are thy branches. The evergreen is a prominent symbol of the holiday season, but Christmas tree branches are more lovely when they aren’t dropping pine needles into the carpet. Thankfully, one easy task will help your tree’s branches stay lovely for the rest of the season.

The tradition of decorating homes with evergreen boughs dates back to the early Romans, according to Dixie Sandborn with Michigan State University Extension. Fir trees were first used as Christmas trees around 1,000 years ago. However, the tradition became more popular after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were shown standing in front of their Christmas tree in the London News in 18461. One of Thomas Edison’s assistants developed the idea for electric Christmas tree lights in 1882, with the first sale of Christmas lights in 18902.

While individuals who are celebrating Christmas this year have many options when it comes to their trees and decorations, keeping fresh cut trees watered will help the tree stay hydrated. This will help keep the pine needles from dropping, and also keep the tree from drying excessively and becoming a fire hazard. Christmas lights should be turned off unless the tree is supervised by someone in the house in case of a fire.

Another topic you may have seen in the news related to fresh cut Christmas trees are praying mantis eggs. The eggs are attached to the branches of the evergreen trees and when the trees are brought inside in the warmth of homes, the eggs may begin to hatch. However, simply removing the branch the egg casings are attached to and leaving the branch outside will allow the eggs to hatch naturally. The egg casings are round and brown in appearance and can contain several hundred eggs in each.

Keeping your fresh cut decorations green for the holidays can be achieved with adequate water and by checking the tree for dry branches. Before bringing the greenery into your home, check the branches for any eggs or animals that may be attached to the tree. For more information on how to keep your greenery festive this season, contact the Highland County Extension Office at 937-393-1918.

 

Upcoming Events:

A fifth Beef Quality Assurance Training will be held at Union Stockyards on Tuesday, January 22, 2018, at 6:30 P.M. Please RSVP to the Highland County Extension Office at 937-393-1918.

The next Highland County Master Gardener Volunteer meeting will be held on Thursday, January 17, 2019, at 10 AM in the Large Meeting Room in the basement of 110 Governor Foraker Place, Hillsboro, OH.

Fertilizer and Pesticide Recertifications: 

February 19, 2019

Ponderosa Banquet Center, 545 S. High Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133

5:00 pm to 6:00 pm Fertilizer Recertification – Private and Commercial

6:30 pm Pesticide Recertification (Core, 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6) Private Applicators Only

March 4, 2018

Ponderosa Banquet Center, 545 S. High Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133

10:00 am to 11:00 am Fertilizer Recertification – Private and Commercial

11:30 am Pesticide Recertification (Core, 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6) Private Applicators Only

Registration details will come in the mail from the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Registration for OSU Extension Pesticide and Fertilizer and your renewal application for ODA Pesticide/Fertilizer must both be completed. Meals will be included at each recertification training at Ponderosa.

 

1History. 2018. History of Christmas Trees. Retrieved from  https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas-trees.

2University of Illinois Extension. 2018. Christmas Tree Facts. Retrieved from:         http://extension.illinois.edu/trees/facts.cfm.

 

Don’t Forget About the Young Gardeners!

Submitted by Faye Mahaffey

Ohio State University Extension Brown County Master Gardener Volunteer

Have you thought about the younger generation of gardeners and what you might give them to fuel their interest in digging in the dirt? Each year when I speak with 4-H gardeners, I am thrilled when I hear the words, “I learned about gardening from my Grandparents.”

One of my favorite catalogs to leaf through is “Gardening with Kids.” They have a fantastic website full of great ideas for parents and teachers, and yes, grandparents! Does a young family live close by? Have you considered inviting their children to visit your gardens?

In the words of the author of “101 Kid-Friendly Plants,” “Kids are endlessly curious, basically kind, completely genuine, and a lot of fun. They enjoy messes, are gleeful about the basics of nature, and absorb anything they are interested in like giant sponges.” What qualities make perfect plants for kids? Yummy fruit. Big, bold flowers. Funky leaves. Sweet fragrances. Branches to hide in. Fly-eating jaws. Cindy Krezel’s book is a great resource for finding plants that are safe, easy to use, and fun in their own way. But she also cautions readers that you must always think “safety first!”

Another fun book is Rocks, Dirt, Worms & Weeds– A fun, user-friendly illustrated guide to creating a vegetable or flower garden with your kids. Jeff Hutton, author, landscaper and gardener, guides grown-ups and children in starting seeds indoors, creating a garden, and harvesting the bounty. In addition to teaching kids how to compost and mulch, Hutton provides ideas for activities in and around the garden, including: Planting a sunflower maze, Making a rain gauge, Creating a butterfly garden, and much more.

Looking for some fun “easy read” books for young gardeners? Some of my favorites include: Oh, say can you seed? (from The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library), Miss Maple’s Seeds, Seed to Plant (National Geographic) and Ten Little Caterpillars.

Wondering about gardening supplies for that young gardening enthusiast? Or do you want to spark some interest? What about a windowsill herb garden kit? A weather station? Do you have a bird-feeding station? Have you ever thought about raising worms? Do you want to do a better job of composting? These are all activities that are great for young gardeners as well!

It’s supposed to warm up a bit. Now would be a great time to install a snow measuring stick with a young gardener! Take a square stake 2” x 2” and 5 to 6 feet tall. Drive the stake into the ground 8-12″, so it will stay upright. Measure off 6” increments and mark them with a permanent marker. Then paint/color each increment a different color. Write down what color indicates what depth. In winter you should be able to look out of the window and see your stake!

It’s almost time for that year-end list of successes and failures. What worked and didn’t work. Get out that garden journal and start your list. Do you have any gardening “resolutions” for 2019? Start writing!

 

Pesticide and Fertilizer Recertification

Here are the links to register for Pesticide and Fertilizer Recertification:

For February 19, 2019 use: http://www.cvent.com/d/1bqrhf

For March 4, 2019 use: http://www.cvent.com/d/nbqr7j

If you choose to pay by check, you must mail or drop off the check at least one week prior to the event at:

OSUE – Highland County
119 Governor Foraker Place, Suite 202
Hillsboro, OH 45133

Checks should be made payable to: OSU Extension

For questions, please call the OSU Extension Office at 937-393-1918.

Holiday Office Hours

Just a reminder the office will be closed on December 24, 25 and January 1 for the holidays. Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season from all of us in the Extension Office.

Leadership Highland Economic Development Program

Brooke Beam, Ph.D.

Ohio State University Extension, Highland County

Agriculture and Natural Resources/Community Development Extension Educator

 

From left to right: Commissioner Terry Britton, Destiny Bryson, Mat Greene, Michelle Unsworth, Brooke Beam, Liz Brennfleck, Melissa Elmore, Commissioner Gary Abernathy, Diana Grooms, Scott Hopf, Rob Holt and Commissioner Jeff Duncan.

Participants of Leadership Highland met on December 5, 2018, for the Economic Development day. During this session, class members participated in a series of professional development workshops and toured the Wilmington Air Park.

The day began with a social dance lesson at Noreen’s School of Dance with Noreen Gibson. Leadership Highland participants learned proper form and several dance steps they could apply in the future. Gibson taught the dance lesson, but also highlighted the importance of dance and music for aging populations.

The second workshop of the day was conducted by Becky Nesbitt, an Assistant Professor and OSU Extension Educator. Nesbitt discussed the best practices for serving on a non-profit board. Tips discussed included term limits, retreats for board members, and have active participation by all of the board members serving on subcommittees.

Becky Nesbitt, an Assistant Professor and OSU Extension Educator, taught about the best practices of serving on a non-profit board of trustees.

Leadership Highland participants were joined for lunch at LaRosa’s by the Highland County Commissioners. Following lunch, the Highland County Commissioners and the participants of Leadership Highland toured the Wilmington Air Park with Dan Evers, Director of the Clinton County Port Authority, and Beth Huber, Associate Director of the Clinton County Port Authority.

Dan Evers, Director of the Clinton County Port Authority, discussed different businesses that use buildings on the Wilmington Air Park.

Doug Little guided the group on a tour through the ATSG airplane maintenance buildings at the Air Park. Participants were also able to tour Building F, which will hold the Amazon sort facility. When completed, it is anticipated the sorting system in Building F will be the longest package sorting line in the country. While the system is still under construction, the Amazon facility is expected to open in the summer of 2019 bringing in hundreds of new employment opportunities to the region.

In addition to touring the maintenance and Amazon buildings, participants were able to learn about the airplane simulators and virtual training programs used to educate pilots, airplane stewards, and mechanics on safety procedures and flight training. The next meeting of Leadership Highland will be in January of 2019. For more information about Leadership Highland, contact the Highland County Extension Office at 937-393-1918, or Brooke Beam at beam.49@osu.edu.

 

Upcoming Events:

A fifth Beef Quality Assurance Training will be held at Union Stockyards on Tuesday, January 22, 2018, at 6:30 P.M. Please RSVP to the Highland County Extension Office at 937-393-1918.

 

Fertilizer and Pesticide Recertifications: 

February 19, 2019

Ponderosa Banquet Center, 545 S. High Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133

5:00 pm to 6:00 pm Fertilizer Recertification – Private and Commercial

6:30 pm Pesticide Recertification (Core, 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6) Private Applicators Only

March 4, 2018

Ponderosa Banquet Center, 545 S. High Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133

10:00 am to 11:00 am Fertilizer Recertification – Private and Commercial

11:30 am Pesticide Recertification (Core, 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6) Private Applicators Only

Registration details will come in the mail from the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Registration for OSU Extension Pesticide and Fertilizer and your renewal application for ODA Pesticide/Fertilizer must both be completed. Meals will be included at each recertification training at Ponderosa.

The Gardener’s Christmas List

Submitted by Faye Mahaffey

OSUE Brown County Master Gardener Volunteer

 

It’s official! It’s time to think about the gardeners on your gift list. I have had a few discussions with my husband, and I hope that the only Christmas present I receive this year is the promise to build my raised bed gardens in the spring! I have been working on the design and am gathering information. I am looking forward to a new stage of gardening that hopefully won’t involve as many weeds!

Gardeners are always looking for that new garden tool that will make their life easier in the garden. The tool corner in my potting shed tells the history of my gardening. I have my grandpa’s hoe, a spade, a round point shovel and then a variety of “new” garden tools that made promises to cut off weeds quicker or chop up those clods in the garden. The high wheel cultivator is stored in the barn since my grandpa had always bragged that it had never been left out in the rain!

When asked what their favorite garden tools were, my gardening friends were quick to share their answers: pruners with gears that allow you to cut a good size limb with little strength, a seed planter that evenly distributes the seed and speeds up the process, a Rogue Hoe that is made of agricultural disc blades and is made in the USA, a folding pruning saw, because it is compact, fits in your pocket, and has sturdy blades that are replaceable, and a poly bedding fork that is handy to use when you are spreading mulch.

Do you have a gardener on your list this year? Here are some other gift suggestions that you might consider: Rain gauge, composter, computer software, yard cart, soil knife, Harvest basket, Wireless Remote weather station, or a gift certificate from a local merchant, nursery, or garden center. Gardeners love to wander the aisles with “cash in hand” looking for that special tool, comfortable pair of gloves, or a special piece of art that will add a splash of color to their landscape.

What about a book as a gift? The books that are on the top of my “reader’s list” this year include: Raised Bed Revolution (Tara Nolan), Good Garden Bugs (Mary M. Gardiner), Gardening with Perennials (Noel Kingsbury), 100 Plants to Feed the Bees (The Xerces Society), Planting in a Post-Wild World (Thomas Rainer and Claudia West) and Raised Row Gardening (Jim and Mary Competti).

My husband has learned that even old shovels, tractor parts, and other metal “treasures” can find a new life in my flower beds. I have a garden creature that we created out of an old spade, pitchfork and some miscellaneous spare parts and named him Heathcliff. There is a John Deere M radiator that is waiting in the barn that I hope will become the body of a garden scarecrow that will be installed in the center of my new raised bed garden.

Are you planning your new garden while the snow flies?