Month: August 2020

Unsolicited Seeds Collection Location

Did you receive unsolicited seeds in the Mail? Bring them to the OSU Extension Office for collection. OSU Extension is partnering with the Ohio Department of Agriculture to collect seed packages that were sent to Ohio residents. You may put the seed packets in the dropbox by the OSU Extension door on the second floor of the Highland County Administration building. For more information, contact Brooke Beam, OSU Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources/Community Development, via beam.49@osu.edu or 937-393-1918.

Farm Science Review Goes Virtual for 2020

Airplane applying fungicide over a field of corn.

Aerial fungicide application is nearing the end for the 2020 growing season in Ohio, however you may still see a few more over the next few weeks. Photo taken by Brooke Beam.

Brooke Beam, PhD

Agriculture and Natural Resources/Community Development Extension Educator

Ohio State University Extension, Highland County

August 12, 2020

 

As we continue to transition into new territory with how COVID-19 impacts our fall plans, it is important to keep an open mind for new opportunities. This year the annual Farm Science Review (FSR) will be held virtually on September 22 to September 24, 2020. While this will be the first year in its 60-year history that FSR will not be held in-person, think of this as an opportunity to learn in a new way.

The 2020 FSR will be free to attend. The program will include a variety of live-streamed presentations, virtual field walks, immersive field demonstrations, and pre-recorded videos. Participants who want to view the show can register in advance to view programming through Zoom or watch the programs at a later date through an extensive online archive.

Topics for talks at FSR this year include the risks of transmitting COVID-19 to your animals, the prospects of U.S. agricultural exports abroad, increasing profits from small grains by planting double crops, climate trends, managing cash flow on the farm, farm stress, and rental rates on agricultural land.

Looking for a job in agriculture? For the second time this year, FSR will include a career fair. Before the Sept. 22 event, which will be from 10 a.m. to noon, anyone can view videos and other content from prospective employers to know what those employers are seeking and schedule live chats with company representatives.

Presentations on raising backyard chickens, starting a flock of sheep, and growing blackberries and other specialty crops could spark some inspiration.

Other major attractions at this year’s show will include online field demonstrations that will show how various types of farm equipment boost the efficiency of fertilizing, harvesting a field, or performing other tasks. Viewers can catch a close-up view of the machinery, which, on-site, they’d normally have to see from several yards away.

While FSR may have a new look for 2020, there are still numerous opportunities to learn the latest in agricultural practices and advancements. So, mark your calendar and plan to attend FSR this year from the comfort of your phone, tablet, or computer.

In addition to FSR, the Beef and Forage Field Night and the annual Pumpkin Field Day will also be held virtually and can be accessed through online resources in the upcoming weeks.

For more information about OSU Extension programming, contact the OSU Extension Office in Highland County at 937-393-1918.

Five Simple Steps To A Healthier Life

Five Simple Steps To A Healthier Life

Leeanna McKamey, SNAP-Ed Program Assistant

OSU Extension/Highland County

  • Start with a Healthy Breakfast
  • Move More.
  • Add more fruits, veggies, and whole grains to your meal plan
  • Remember to Hydrate
  • Try lower calories or fat.

Fruit Salad

Serves 6, 1 cup per serving

Ingredients (Remember you can use a combination of fresh, frozen or canned fruits to cut costs)

2 cups strawberries

1 cup blueberries

1 cup mango chunks

2 medium bananas

2 kiwis

1 (15 ounce) can pineapple chunks in juice

1 Tablespoon of honey (used as a sweetener)

Optional Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons mint leaves

½ cup shredded, toasted coconut

½ cup slivered almonds

Instructions

In Advance:

  1. If using frozen, thaw fruit in the refrigerator until no longer hard, but still cool to the touch.

Preparation:

  1. Peel and slice bananas and kiwis.
  2. If using, rinse and chop mint leaves.
  3. Drain canned pineapple, reserving juice.
  4. In a large bowl, add bananas, kiwis, pineapple, and fruit. Mix.
  5. In a small pot over medium heat, add reserved pineapple juice and honey. Stir and heat until juice forms a sauce, about 5 minutes. Allow sauce to cool for 5-10 minutes.
  6. Pour sauce over fruit salad. Mix to coat fruit. If using, mix in mint, coconut, and almonds.

Chef’s Notes

To toast coconut: Heat oven to 300°F. Place coconut shreds on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Bake for 5 minutes or until light brown.

Use leftover fruit in Fruit Smoothies.

 

 

Sweet Potato Fries

Serves 6, 8-10 fries per serving

Ingredients

4 medium sweet potatoes

1½ teaspoons paprika

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

1⁄8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 Tablespoon canola oil

Non-stick cooking spray

 

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F.
  2. Scrub and rinse sweet potatoes. Pat dry with a paper or kitchen towel.
  3. Leaving skin on, cut sweet potatoes into thick French fry strips, about ½-inch wide or into thin chips.
  4. In a large bowl, mix paprika, salt, ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Add oil. Blend with a fork until there are no lumps.
  5. Add sweet potato strips or chips to the bowl. Toss until they are coated on all sides.
  6. Coat baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Place sweet potatoes in a single layer on the sheet.
  7. Bake for 15 minutes. Turn fries over and bake another 10-15 minutes, or until fries are tender. If making chips, it will take less time.

Chef’s Notes

For easier cleanup, line the baking sheet with a layer of aluminum foil. Coat with non-stick cooking spray before placing the sweet potatoes on the sheet.

For milder flavor, dust the potatoes with 1½ teaspoons of curry powder and ¾ teaspoon of salt in place of the cayenne seasoning.

For the crispiest fries, be sure sweet potatoes do not lie on top of each other on the baking sheet. You may need to cook in two batches

Southern Ohio Farm Show, August 5, 2020

In this episode of the Southern Ohio Farm Show, Dr. Aaron Wilson provides an update on the weather, Dave Apsley shows us how to identify poison ivy, and we have the award presentation from the Clermont County Junior Fair.

Tune in next week to meet the new OSU Extension Beef Specialist! The show will be shown via Zoom at 10 am and on Facebook at 11:30 next Wednesday.