In this week’s episode of the Southern Ohio Farm Show:
-Learn about Highland County 4-H from several Junior Leaders
-Follow the process of maple syrup production at Clermont County’s Pattison Park
MONDAY, MARCH 8
Farm Bill Webinar: 2021 Corn and Soybean Crop Insurance Considerations
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
2021 Virtual Ohio AgritourismReady Conference
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
TUESDAY, MARCH 9
Virtual Conservation Tillage Conference
8:00 am to 3:00 pm
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10
Virtual Conservation Tillage Conference
8:00 am to 3:00 pm
Southern Ohio Farm Show (Virtual)
10:00 am to 11:00 am
Beef Sire Selection for the Dairy Herd (Virtual)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
THURSDAY, MARCH 11
Virtual Conservation Tillage Conference
8:00 am to 3:00 pm
The Dirt on Soil Health: Investing Below the Surface (Virtual)
8:00 am to 8:30 am
Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Training Webinar
8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Midwest Women in Ag Community Education Series
9:00 am to 11:00 am
County Outlook Meeting (Virtual)
10:00 am to 11:30 am
East Ohio Women In Agriculture Program Series
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Butler Innovative Farm Forum (Virtual)
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
FRIDAY, MARCH 12
Virtual Conservation Tillage Conference
8:00 am to 3:00 pm
10:00 am to 11:30 am
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
10:00 am to 11:00 am
A team of Ohio State business and meat science specialists have compiled a Meat Processing Business Tool Kit for people who are exploring the meat processing business. Designed as a decision-making aid for people exploring investing in or expanding a meat processing facility, this online tool kit can help entrepreneurs evaluate the business and navigate business planning. The Meat Processing Business Tool Kit is available in the Business section at the OSU South Centers webpage and at the OSU Extension Meat Science webpage.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers saw shortages of meat in large supermarkets caused by disruptions in large packing plant operations. “As a result, consumers started shopping at smaller, local meat shops, that didn’t have shortages of meat,” explained Lynn Knipe, PhD, associate professor of food science and technology at Ohio State who worked with the team to develop the meat processing business tool kit. “This, in turn, increased business for the smaller meat processors to a point that people who were used to taking animals to their local slaughterhouse, had to schedule their animals much farther out than normal,” Knipe said.
Knipe explained that entrepreneurial people who either raised livestock or had some past experience with slaughter or cutting of meat, have decided to consider opening their own meat businesses. Knipe and his colleague, Lyda Garcia, PhD, assistant professor of animal science began receiving more calls than usual, with people finding them either through their Extension Meat Science website or by referral from meat inspection people they had contacted.
Likewise, many of the same people were reaching out for guidance from the business development specialists at OSU South Centers and the specialists at the CFAES Center for Cooperatives, which is also based at the OSU South Centers. While gathering information to assist clients in summer 2020, the Center for Cooperatives team members reached out to OSU Extension meat science specialists Knipe and Garcia.
Soon, a working group was formed with team members from the CFAES Center for Cooperatives, the Small Business Development Center at OSU South Centers, the Extension Meat Science Program, and the OSU Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics. Together, the group developed and compiled resources to help guide entrepreneurs interested in the meat processing business.
“It only made sense that we work together as Ohio State colleagues to better serve our clientele,” said Garcia. “Instead of individuals contacting one OSU source and getting a bit of information and then needing to contact another OSU source for more information, we can all point them toward this fantastic online resource that will help answer their questions and guide them in the decision-making process,” Garcia explained.
On the webpage housing the tool kit, users will find information to help get started, including understanding the capacity for such a business, maps of federal and state inspection facilities and auction sites, as well as livestock inventory. To aid in decision making regarding business models, there are samples of cooperative and corporate business models, with business planning templates, financial worksheets, and information about funding sources. Contacts are also listed for those using the tool kit and seeking additional assistance with their business planning.
“The materials lead entrepreneurs to investigate critical considerations during the planning process, including collecting livestock data, gathering financial information, financial modeling, and business planning. That means that the tools are adaptable and intended to be changed to the user’s unique circumstance,” said Ryan Kline, Cooperative Program Specialist for the CFAES Center for Cooperatives.
A business plan is helpful as a decision-making tool for entrepreneurs and it becomes a tool they can use when talking to potential lenders, investors, or future key employees. CFAES Center for Cooperatives program manager Hannah Scott explained, “In our experience, entrepreneurs don’t usually look forward to business planning, but many of them are already going through the business planning process mentally as they consider a new business or ways to expand their current operation. We encourage entrepreneurs to write down their plans – and to use tools and coaching that can help them approach the process in a systematic way without being overwhelming – because it can help them identify potential issues and consider topics they might not have before.”
“There is lots of assistance for entrepreneurs going through the business planning process, from templates like the ones in this tool kit to assistance from business development specialists like our team at the CFAES Center for Cooperatives or the OSU South Centers Business Development Network, which houses a multi-county Small Business Development Center (SBDC),” Scott said. The SBDC program is a nationwide network of business development specialists who provide no-cost business consulting for entrepreneurs. Readers can locate their nearest SBDC here.
“We hope that the tool will be intuitive as entrepreneurs move through the planning process,” Kline said. “When visiting the website, people will find a self-guided and self-paced exploration of Meat Processing that we hope will help anyone interested in starting a meat processing facility.”
To find the Meat Processing Business Tool Kit online, visit: southcenters.osu.edu/meat-processing-business-toolkit or meatsci.osu.edu/programs/meat-processing-business-toolkit.
Valentine’s Day is this Sunday. As chocolate is a popular Valentine’s Day gift, in this week’s episode of the Southern Ohio Farm Show we learn more about Chocolate. Dr. Mary Kay Pohlschneider, professor of Food Science, discusses the process of making chocolate and how to conduct a chocolate taste test. Mechelle Frost, director of the Highland County Senior Citizens Center, provides a demonstration on how to make hot chocolate bombs. We also discuss sustainability practices to use in the kitchen.
Brooke Beam, PhD
Agriculture and Natural Resources/Community Development Educator
OSU Extension, Highland County
Monday, February 8, 2021
Ohio Cow/Calf Management Webinar: Breeding Season Considerations (Virtual)
6:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
Cost: Free
Managing the Breeding Season – Alvaro Guerra-Garcia
EPD Update: Breeding for Cow Longevity – John Grimes
Registration: https://osu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_N_CtcKYwQB2l60Afug10aA
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
Ag Tech Tuesdays (Virtual)
10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
Cost: Free
Registration: www.go.osu.edu/AgTechTues
The Digital Ag Team will present on various topics on the latest on-farm technology. CCA credits can be earned.
High Tunnel Production School (Virtual)
12:30 P.M. – 1:30 P.M.
Cost: Free
Registration: https://osu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_am3gfBZjSVy343ODZJsKNA
Dairy Labor Management Mini-Series (Virtual)
12:30 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Cost: $75
Registration: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2oi2oOb00wYcRw1
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Southern Ohio Farm Show (Virtual)
10:00 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.
Cost: Free
Registration: https://osu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0oceCtqjsiGdQzg012lGoW5oMzOAQmLnnp
Water Quality Wednesdays (Virtual)
10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.
Cost: Free
Registration: https://osu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rJxe7sewQhW2wYYFO2DWHA
Join the Water Quality Extension Associates for Water Quality Wednesdays, where they will present on relevant topics that impact water quality. Topics will include: nutrient/manure management, cover crops, water quality best management practices, and an overview of current water quality research topics and trends in Northwest Ohio. This series will continue through April 2021.
Farm Office Live (Virtual)
7:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.
Cost: Free
Registration: https://farmoffice.osu.edu/farmofficelive
Join the Farm Office team as they provide an update on current economic and legal issues in the agricultural industry.
Thursday, February 11, 2021
The Dirt on Soil Health: Investing Below the Surface (Virtual)
8:00 A.M – 8:30 A.M.
Cost: Free
Registration: http://go.osu.edu/soilhealth2020
Commercial Structural & Vertebrate Pesticide Applicator Recertification Webinar
8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
Cost: $75
Registration: https://www.cvent.com/c/express/e8a8807e-460c-4690-87b5-2f8822c6a8af
Disease Management Options for Today’s Weather (Virtual)
9:00 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.
Cost: Free
For registration information contact Amanda Douridas at douridas.9@osu.edu
Topics include weather and climate impacts on disease management and Gibberella ear rot and vomitoxin in corn.
Corn College and Soybean School (Virtual)
9:00 A.M. – noon
Cost: Free
Registration: https://osu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DCfYg309TBqDmqtNmD5aFA
Best management practices and important updates for the 2021 growing season. Speakers include Peter Tomison, Steve Culman, Pierce Paul, Laura Lindsey, Mark Loux, Ann Dorrance, Andy Michel, and Kelly Tillmon.
Friday, February 12, 2021
A Day in the Woods (Virtual)
10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.
Registration: https://u.osu.edu/apsley.1/2020/12/16/winter-2021-programming-schedule-now-available/
Topic: “Advice from the Woods” question and answer session with professional foresters and wildlife biologists.
Farm Office Live (Virtual)
10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
Registration: https://farmoffice.osu.edu/farmofficelive
Update on current economic and legal issues in agriculture.
For more information about any of the programs listed, or other Extension programs, contact the Highland County office of OSU Extension at 937-393-1918.
Are you ready for the Super Bowl this weekend?
In this week’s episode of the Southern Ohio Farm Show, we get ready for the game by learning about:
-Sport turf and turf tips for your yard with Pamela Sherratt, Ohio State University Extension Turfgrass Specialist
-Wilson Sporting Goods’ process of constructing the Super Bowl footballs in Ada, Ohio
-Learn about playing in the NFL and game projections with Bobby Carpenter, host of 97.1 The Fan’s Morning Juice and lecturer at The Ohio State University
Brooke Beam, PhD
Agriculture and Natural Resources/Community Development Educator
OSU Extension, Highland County
January 27, 2021
There are many options for virtual Extension programming occurring this winter. Many of the programs are free to attend. By registering, you will receive connection information to either view the presentation through the Zoom portal or call-in options. Included in the list are the upcoming programs for the week of February 1, 2021.
Monday, February 1, 2021:
Ohio Cow/Calf Management Webinar School (Virtual)
6:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
Cost: Free
Registration: https://osu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_N_CtcKYwQB2l60Afug10aA
Topics: Hay! Now What?
Forage Analysis
Forage Storage 101
Tips for Managing Pumpkins, Sweet Corn and Invasive Pests (Virtual)
7:00 P.M.
Cost: Free
Registration: https://osu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMudu2urT8pHNfhxxN OAOirISt2hUecotm
Tuesday, February 2, 2021:
Ag Tech Tuesday (Virtual)
10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
Cost: Free
Registration: www.go.osu.edu/AgTechTues
The Digital Ag Team will present on various topics on the latest on-farm technology. CCA credits can be earned.
High Tunnel Production School (Virtual)
12:30 P.M. – 1:30 P.M.
Cost: Free
Registration: https://osu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_am3gfBZjSVy343ODZJsKNA
Dairy Labor Management Mini-Series (Virtual)
12:30 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Cost: $75
Registration: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2oi2oOb00wYcRw1
Fresh Ohio Strawberries at Thanksgiving and Christmas? (Virtual)
7:00 P.M.
Cost: Free
Registration: https://osu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0odOGuqTkpGtU6zfynX7oiedLbYrvuT3kl
Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021:
Commercial Industrial Vegetation, Natural Areas, and Aquatic Pesticide Applicator Recertification Webinar (Virtual)
8:30 A.M. – 3:30 A.M.
Cost: $75
Registration: https://www.cvent.com/c/express/19135360-5f3d-4965-82f1-38fee473a935
Southern Ohio Farm Show (Virtual)
10:00 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.
Cost: Free
Registration: https://osu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0oceCtqjsiGdQzg012lGoW5oMzOAQmLnnp
Pasture for Profit Course (Virtual)
7:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
Cost: $50
No “Wining” – Just Growing Grapes & Brambling Along Too! (Virtual)
7:00 P.M.
Registration: https://osu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIvd-iorz0tH9JIQ_sYFqsx0mKpnd1Yw4YN
Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021:
Getting Started with Seed Production (Virtual)
8:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.
Cost: Free
Registration: email Curtis Young or Will Hamman, young.2@osu.edu or hamman.41@osu.edu
The Dirt on Soil Health: Investing Below the Surface (Virtual)
8:00 A.M. – 8:30: A.M.
Cost: Free
Registration: https://osu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oWyJUiHERuiCiLuDNYJmkg
Topic: Cover Crop Management
Disease Management Options for Today’s Weather (Virtual)
9:00 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.
Cost: Free
Registration: email Amanda Douridas at douridas.9@osu.edu
Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021
Living Landscape Speaker Series (Virtual)
10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
Cost: Free
Registration: https://u.osu.edu/certify/living-landscape-speaker-series/
For more information about these upcoming programs, or other Extension programs, contact the Highland County Extension Office at 937-393-1918.