STAY CURRENT
What is going on in our office? Visit our site for lots of information about upcoming events, forms, and resources. https://highland.osu.edu/
Facebook Pages for daily updates as we receive them.
Extension Office https://www.facebook.com/OSUExtHighland
4-H Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HighlandCounty4H/
Find us on Twitter and Instagram
Stay connected with the latest Covid-19 updates for Ohio 4-H and all updates on the Ohio 4-H program
Brooke Beam, PhD
Ohio State University Extension, Highland County
Agriculture and Natural Resources/Community Development Extension Educator
Ah, chocolate, a favorite treat of millions of Americans. Decadent and rich in texture, chocolate is a versatile agricultural product that is enjoyed in numerous forms and for limitless celebrations. Did you know that in 2018 the National Retail Federation estimated that $19.6 billion was spent on Valentine’s Day celebrations? Or that chocolate represents 75 percent of the total Valentine’s candy sales annually?
Chocolate is a product of the Cacao tree, primarily grown in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. A time-consuming process of harvesting the cacao pods, fermenting, cleaning, roasting, grinding, blending, and tempering is required before raw cacao resembles a chocolate product we could purchase at a store. Chocolate can be traced back to ancient Mayans and Olmecs of southern Mexico dating to around 1500 B.C.
Despite the long history of chocolate, it has changed drastically over the centuries of consumption. The Mayans combined chocolate with chili peppers, honey, and water. Later the Spanish and other Europeans made their own varieties of hot chocolate with sugar, cinnamon, and other additives. According to the History Channel, chocolate first arrived in North America via a Spanish ship into what is now Florida in 1641.
Despite raw cacao being grown and initially processed in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, chocolate is produced globally. The process of refining chocolate and transforming it into a desirable product can be accomplished anywhere in the world. Americans consume nearly 18 percent of the world’s chocolate, which represents over $18 billion annually. The average American consumes 9.5 pounds of chocolate annually, which is conservative to the 20 pounds the average Swiss person consumes per year.
Although we may think of chocolate as a commercial product, it is actually an agricultural product that is formed with partnerships from thousands of American farmers. According to the World Cocoa Foundation, the majority of American chocolate manufacturers use domestically produced sugar, milk, peanuts, almonds, and sweeteners. It is estimated that U.S. chocolate manufacturers use 3 billion pounds of sugar, 653 million pounds of milk, 360 million pounds of peanuts, 43 million pounds of almonds, and 1.7 billion pounds of corn syrup sweeteners annually.
Modern chocolate production methods allow consumers the luxury of enjoying thousands of variations of chocolate delicacies. Of course, it is important to understand the finer nuances of chocolate taste testing. To some, chocolate is chocolate. However, upon careful sampling, it is possible to tell the difference between brands and production methods and savor the unique flavors of chocolate.
Key Steps for Chocolate Tasting:
Try these five steps to further enjoy your chocolates this Valentine’s Day. It can be an enjoyable experience to ask others to taste chocolates and see how each person tastes different flavors in the same brand of chocolate.
While cacao beans are grown in warmer climates, it is possible to craft your own chocolate-based endeavors in Ohio. Thinking outside the (chocolate) box may provide an opportunity to develop a unique small business. Do you have a niche chocolate product? Contact the Highland County Extension Office for more information about the Agricultural Marketing Team, who may be able to assist you in marketing your food products.
Upcoming Events:
Highland County Fertilizer and Pesticide Recertifications:
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 topic of the Highland County Monthly Extension Programming for February will be Maple Syrup Production. The program will be held on February 27, 2019, at 10 AM. The program will be held at Ponderosa Steakhouse in Hillsboro and is free to attend. Attendees are encouraged to purchase lunch on their own at Ponderosa. Please RSVP to reserve your seat by calling 937-393-1918. Attendees will learn about the process of producing maple syrup and marketing.
The Highland County Extension Office will be hosting a tour of the OSU Meat Lab in Columbus, Ohio, for those who are interested in beef and meat production on March 19, 2019. The tour will coincide with the meat class on campus, so attendees will be able to see the lab on a harvesting day. The tour will be held in the morning and space is limited. Please call the Highland County Extension Office at 937-393-1918 for additional information and to reserve your place for the tour.
The topic of the Highland County Monthly Extension Programming for March will be Storytelling for Video Production. The program will be held on March 27, 2019, at 10 AM. Attendees will learn about the different kinds of documentary films and how storytelling impacts the audience’s perception of videos. The program will be held at Ponderosa Steakhouse in Hillsboro and is free to attend. Attendees are encouraged to purchase lunch on their own at Ponderosa. Please RSVP to reserve your seat by calling 937-393-1918.
Brooke Beam, PhD
Ohio State University Extension, Highland County
Agriculture and Natural Resources/Community Development Extension Educator
February 5, 2019
Winter is a busy time for farmers and Extension Educators alike. There are several upcoming programs in Highland County and in the region that may be of interest to many farmers. For more information about any of the programs outlined below, contact the Highland County Extension Office at 937-393-1918.
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.
Brooke Beam, PhD
Ohio State University Extension, Highland County
Agriculture and Natural Resources/Community Development Extension Educator
January 29, 2018
With the frigid temperatures this week, many individuals have been spending their time preparing for the negative temperatures. Farmers who have livestock outside have been particularly challenged with the fluctuation of temperatures and frozen water troughs. Diesel trucks, water lines, heat sources, and other items need to be checked to ensure that they are working properly and do not have issues due to the weather. No matter your profession, carbon monoxide is a danger everyone should be aware of this winter.
As an odorless and colorless gas, carbon monoxide can cause major issues during the winter months. Carbon monoxide is produced from burning fuel, which is more frequent during the winter months when we need our furnaces to heat our homes. Checking your home, vehicle, water heater, clothes dryer and other heat sources for carbon monoxide is an important step on your winter weather checklist to prevent illness and death.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “more than 400 Americans die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning not linked to fires, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized” annually. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include: headaches, weakness, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, confusion, blurred vision, and loss of consciousness.“ Carbon monoxide poisoning can be particularly dangerous for people who are sleeping or intoxicated. People may have irreversible brain damage or even die before anyone realizes there’s a problem,” according to Mayo Clinic staff.
One way to monitor carbon monoxide levels in your home is to install a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector. According to the CDC, it is recommended to change the battery when the time changes in the spring and fall, and to replace the detector every five years in order to have accurate readings. The detector will emit a high-pitched alarm if it detects carbon monoxide in your home. Having your heating system, water heater, and other fuel-burning appliances maintained and serviced annually are also good preventative measures.
The CDC provided several other preventative tactics to keep your home carbon monoxide free:
It is likely southern Ohio will have more days with cold, winter weather this year. Keep these safety tips outlined above in mind to keep you and your family healthy, safe, and warm this season.
Upcoming Events:
The next Monthly Extension Program will be held on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, at 10 AM at Ponderosa Steakhouse in Hillsboro, OH. The topic of this program will be on Small Business Video Production and will be presented by Brooke Beam. If you have a small business and would like to incorporate more videos into your marketing plans or you are interested in learning the basics of video production, this program is for you! If you have a camera or a mobile device, bring your camera equipment with you to participate as this will be a hands-on workshop.
On Tuesday, February 5, 2019, a live webinar of the 2019 Ohio Beef Cattle School will be held in the Large Meeting Room of 119 Governor Foraker Place, Hillsboro, OH. The program will begin at 7 P.M. The 2019 Ohio Beef Cattle School is free to attend, but RSVPs are required. The topic of the webinar is on the winter management of the cow herd to ensure a productive 2019. RSVP to the Highland County Extension Office at 937-393-1918 or via email to beam.49@osu.edu.
The Highland County Extension Office will be hosting a tour of the OSU Meat Lab in Columbus, Ohio, for those who are interested in beef and meat production on March 19, 2019. The tour will coincide with the meat class on campus, so attendees will be able to see the lab on a harvesting day. The tour will be held in the morning and space is limited. Please call the Highland County Extension Office at 937-393-1918 for additional information and to reserve your place for the tour.
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.
Over 185 individuals received their BQA certification at the training held on January 22, 2019, at Union Stock Yards in Hillsboro, OH.
Brooke Beam, PhD
Ohio State University Extension, Highland County
Agriculture and Natural Resources/Community Development Extension Educator
January 16, 2019
In the mid-1990s, the National Cattlemen’s Association launched a marketing campaign around the slogan of “Beef, it’s what’s for dinner.” This was a slogan I heard repeatedly as a child growing up on a beef farm. This winter, however, beef is on the minds of agricultural producers and opportunities to capture marketing advantages.
One opportunity beef producers should take advantage of is to become beef quality assurance certified (BQA) to make their livestock more marketable to buyers. Quality assurance practices were developed in the 1960s when Pillsbury was developing safety and quality standards to produce food for astronauts. The same basic principles were applied in beef research studies in the early 1980s. The findings included that quality assurance practices in beef production increased the quality of the meat produced and generated a more uniform herd. As of January 1, 2019, several large companies have decided to only purchase beef from producers that are beef quality assurance certified.
Since August of 2018, the Highland County Extension Office, in conjunction with Extension educators from Adams, Brown, and Clermont County Extension Offices, have held five BQA trainings in Hillsboro to help beef producers be prepared for the marketing change in 2019. From these five trainings, 486 beef producers from southern Ohio have received their national certification in BQA. In fact, the most recent training had such a large demand, two additional trainings have been scheduled. The next BQA training will be held on January 29, 2019, at 2 PM at United Producers, Inc., and an additional training will be held at Union Stock Yards on February 13, 2019, at 6 PM.
In addition to the BQA trainings, the Highland County Extension Office will be holding additional beef-related programming in the first quarter of 2019. On Tuesday, February 5, 2019, the Highland County Extension Office will host a live webinar of the 2019 Ohio Beef School in the Large Meeting Room of 119 Governor Foraker Place in Hillsboro. The program will begin at 7 PM and the event is free, but RSVPs are encouraged to reserve a seat. The 2019 Ohio Beef Cattle School will discuss a series of topics related to the winter management of cow herds to ensure a productive year.
Those who are interested in beef and meat production have the opportunity to tour the OSU Meat Lab on March 19, 2019. The tour will coincide with the meat class on campus, so attendees will be able to see the lab on a harvesting day. The tour will be held in the morning and space is limited. Please call the Highland County Extension Office at 937-393-1918 for additional information and to reserve your place for the tour.
For more information about any of the programs listed above, contact the Highland County Extension Office at 937-393-1918.
Upcoming Events:
The next Monthly Extension Program will be held on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, at 10 AM at Ponderosa Steakhouse in Hillsboro, OH. The topic of this program will be on Small Business Video Production and will be presented by Brooke Beam. If you have a small business and would like to incorporate more videos into your marketing plans or you are interested in learning the basics of video production, this program is for you! If you have a camera or a mobile device, bring your camera equipment with you to participate as this will be a hands-on workshop.
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.
If you have a small business and would like to incorporate more videos into your marketing plans or you are interested in learning the basics of video production, the next monthly extension program is for you! Join us for a hands-on workshop on video production on January 30, 2019. If you have a camera or a mobile device, bring your camera equipment with you to participate. 
Brooke Beam, PhD
Ohio State University Extension, Highland County
Agriculture and Natural Resources/Community Development Extension Educator
Tim Parry, Vice President of Operations at Highland District Hospital, discussed the expansion plans for the hospital and provided a walking tour of the existing facilities.
Class members of Leadership Highland participated in Health and Public Safety Day on November 14, 2018. Participants learned about health care, safety, and the security procedures available for Highland County.
The Highland District Hospital provided breakfast for the participants of Leadership Highland and a tour of the hospital facilities. Randal Lennartz, President and CEO of Highland District Hospital, and Tim Parry, Vice President of Operations, discussed the hospital’s future plans for expansion. The expansion project will include a new cancer care unit, an expanded and remodeled surgery unit, an increased number of beds for patients, and additional parking, among other projects.
The second tour of the day was of the Highland County Sheriff’s Office and the Highland County Jail. Leadership Highland participants learned about the daily operation of the jail and the jobs assigned to the inmates. Corporal Benson, of the Highland County Sheriff’s Office, conducted the tour. After the tour of the jail, Corporal Benson provided a tour of the Sheriff’s Office and the 911 call center.
During lunch, Brooke Beam, of the Highland County Extension Office, conducted a workshop on communication strategies for businesses. Risk and crisis communication strategies were highlighted in the workshop, particularly for handling a press conference. Strategies for social media, photography, and basic video production were also discussed in the workshop.
Firemen Anderson, Sanborn, and Snyder showed the Leadership Highland participants the Jaws of Life.
Following lunch, Leadership Highland participants toured the Paint Creek Joint EMS/Fire District Hillsboro facilities. Firemen Anderson, Sanborn, and Snyder provided a detailed tour of the facilities and the equipment they use on each vehicle. They showed Leadership Highland participants the water trucks, fire trucks, and ambulances.
Leadership Highland participants were able to see all of the vehicles used by the Paint Creek Joint EMS/Fire District.
Jared Warner, Highland County Health Commissioner, led Leadership Highland participants on a tour of the Highland County Health Department and explained the different areas the Health Department covers. The Health Department provides immunizations, food inspections, sewage system inspections, tracks the spread of infectious diseases in the county, and maintains the birth and death records. In 2017, the Highland County Health Department tracked 289 infectious diseases, conducted 699 food inspections, conducted 1,028 sewage system inspections, and provided 3,702 immunizations. The Health Department is staffed by 13 full-time employees and a few part-time contractors.
David Bushelman, the Director of the Highland County Office of Homeland Security and the Emergency Management Agency, provided the final tour of the day. In the event of a natural disaster or a terror attack in Highland County, Bushelman would provide a plan for mitigating the threat. Bushelman operates and maintains an emergency call center that is on standby in case it would need to be used in an emergency. He also offers local emergency planning training.
Thank you to the Highland District Hospital, Highland County Sheriff’s Office, Ponderosa Steakhouse, Paint Creek Joint EMS/Fire District, Highland County Health Department, and the Highland County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for assisting with Leadership Highland’s Health and Public Safety Day. The next meeting of Leadership Highland will be held in December. For more information about Leadership Highland, contact the Highland County Extension Office at 937-393-1918.
Upcoming Events:
The next Highland County Monthly Extension Program will be held on December 10, 2018, at 10:00 A.M. at the Ponderosa Steakhouse in Hillsboro, Ohio. Gary Ludwig from the USDA APHIS Wildlife Services will be speaking on managing Black Vulture Predation. Please RSVP and plan to attend.
Highland County Master Gardener Volunteers will hold their next meeting on Thursday, December 13, 2018, at 4 pm in the Large Meeting Room in the basement of 119 Governor Foraker Place, Hillsboro, OH. The plan for 2019 will be set at this meeting, as well as recording volunteer hours for 2018. There will be a holiday cookie exchange at the meeting. For more information, contact the Highland County Extension Office at 937-393-1918.
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.
Brooke Beam, PhD
Ohio State University Extension, Highland County
Agriculture and Natural Resources/Community Development Extension Educator
As the fall harvest season ends, the Highland County Extension Office will begin to hold Monthly Extension Programming again. The next Monthly Extension Program will be held on December 10, 2018, at 10 am at Ponderosa Steakhouse. Gary Ludwig, from the USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, will be the guest speaker. Mr. Ludwig’s presentation will be Managing Black Vulture Predation. He will cover information on:
RSVP to the Highland County Extension Office at 937-393-1918 to reserve your seat. The cost to attend this program is free; however, attendees are strongly encouraged to purchase lunch on their own at Ponderosa.
The next Beef Quality Assurance Training will be held at Union Stockyards on Tuesday, January 22, 2018. The program will start at 6:30 pm. This will be the fifth in a series of BQAs held in Hillsboro within a span of six months to certify beef producers in the safe handling and treatment of cattle. Companies, like Tyson and Wendy’s, will be requiring beef producers they are sourcing their beef products from to be BQA certified in 2019. At this point in time, BQA certification is not mandatory for beef producers, but it is strongly encouraged if you are hoping to market your beef to a company that is requiring the certification. If you were not able to attend one of the previous BQAs, consider attending this upcoming training. RSVP to the Highland County Extension Office to reserve your seat.
Dates have been announced for the 2019 Highland County fertilizer and pesticide recertifications. In 2019, there are several thousand individuals who need to recertify their fertilizer and pesticide applicator licenses. Over 100 Highland County residents will need to renew their licenses. There will be two recertifications held in Hillsboro in 2019, so all Highland County residents needing to recertify will be able to do so in Highland County. The dates for these recertifications are:
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 cost to attend both a fertilizer and pesticide training will be $40.00.
For more information about any of the upcoming programs, contact the Highland County Extension Office at 937-393-1918.