Author: Rachel Cochran, CCA

2022 Pesticide Disposal for Farmers

ODA has announced the 2022 pesticide disposal dates and locations for farmers.

“The program assists farmers with a free of charge, safe and environmentally responsible disposal of unusable, outdated pesticides. No household or non-farm pesticides are accepted, nor are pesticides accepted from commercial companies.”

  • August 17, 2022 – Van Wert County
  • August 24, 2022 – Erie County
  • August 30, 2022 – Greene County

For more information see the link:  https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/pesticides/disposal

Join us for an Agriculture and Water Quality Program on August 4th

Join Paulding County Extension from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM on Thursday, August 4th for a program titled “Agriculture and Water Quality: How do TMDLs and Edge-of-Field Monitoring fit in?”

Greg LaBarge, Field Specialist in Agronomic Systems from Ohio State University Extension and Josh Griffin, Lake Erie Programs Manager from Ohio EPA will speak at this event.

This program will focus on water quality, the agricultural practices that impact it, and the potential solutions for improving it by discussing edge-of-field research being conducted by The Ohio State University. Curious what practices could be improving and impeding water quality on your farm? Have you been thinking about how the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) process will impact farming in Northwest Ohio? Join us to hear what the process for TMDLs consists of, where the Maumee Watershed is in that process, and what farming practices can contribute to improved water quality.

Register for this free event at go.osu.edu/TMDL. CCA credits for Soil and Water management will be provided.

Click here to see a flyer with more information

Soil Health Nexus Educator Training to be held July 13th in Paulding

Join OSU Extension for an event sponsored by the Soil Health Nexus aimed at educators and advisers in the agricultural community. This event will serve as an in-service to educate attendees on all things soil health, and will allow you to become more confident in your abilities to expand this knowledge to others. This event will be held July 13, 2022 from 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM in the Paulding County Extension Hall, 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding OH 45879. Registration is free, but required to attend the event. A meal will be provided with registration.

Questions about who should attend this event can be directed to Sarah Noggle, noggle.17@osu.edu, or (419) 399-8225.

Register here for the July 13th event. Registration has been extended until July 6th, one week prior to the event.

Click here to see a flyer with more information

Regenerative Grazing Pasture Walk to be held in Paulding County!

Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) is hosting a series of Farm Tours across Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan this summer to showcase organic and ecological farms in the region. Among those being showcased is Canal Junction Farm, right here in Paulding County! A Regenerative Grazing Pasture Walk will be held at the farm on Saturday, July 16th, 2022, starting at 10AM. The address is 18637 Rd. 168, Defiance OH. Questions can be directed to Ralph, Sheila, and Kyle Schlatter at (419) 399-7545 or canaljunctionfarm@gmail.com. Their farm’s website is canaljunction.com.

More information about this OEFFA Farm Tour and other stops along the tour can be found at OEFFA’s website, or this link.

It’s Not Too Late to Plan On-Farm Research!

With planting season just starting to begin, now is a perfect time to think about partnering with Paulding County Extension for an on-farm research trial. If you’re looking to dip your toe into the ‘research’ pool for the first time, here are a few simple ideas for projects that can be planned right now!

  • Nitrogen Rate Trial – you can look at different N rates at plant, for side dress, or both to determine what the crops on your land really need… and potentially how much money you could save by reducing your N input costs!
  • Seeding Rate Trial – curious if you could reduce your seeding rate without seeing negative yield impacts? We can help set this up!
  • Soil Health – wondering how a new field compares to one of your best? We can test the health of your soil, completely free to you!

For more information, see the 2021 eFields On-Farm Research Publication. A digital copy is available at digitalag.osu.edu/efields.

If any of these projects interest you, or you can call the Paulding County Extension office at 419-399-8225 and ask for Rachel or Sarah! Or email cochran.474@osu.edu or noggle.17@osu.edu.

WE WANT YOU… to bring us your on-farm research ideas

We want YOU! – Call for On-Farm Research Cooperators

Now is the time to start thinking about the questions you have surrounding your farming operation. What is the ideal seeding rate for corn or soybeans on my different soil types? What rate of Nitrogen will give me the best bang for my buck? Do I really need Phosphorus starter fertilizer? Will interseeding cover crops increase my late-season water-holding capacity of my soil? What is the health of my soil? The good news is that there is a simple way for you to answer these questions: on-farm research!

The Ohio State University Extension eFields Publication has 5 years of these types of trials published for you to see at https://digitalag.osu.edu/efields. The eFields program allows farmers just like you to get answers to the questions you have about your unique operation. What works for others may not be the best option for you, so let’s work together to find the correct answer.

If you’re interested in talking about an on-farm research trial for this Spring planting season, contact Paulding County Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Sarah Noggle, or Water Quality Extension Associate, Rachel Cochran, to learn how we can help.

Need some more inspiration or ideas? Check out the 5th Anniversary 2021 eFields Publication at https://digitalag.osu.edu/efields.

 Contact us!

Paulding County Extension Office, 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding OH – 419-399-8225

Sarah Noggle, noggle.17@osu.edu, 567-344-5013

Rachel Cochran, cochran.474@osu.edu, 567-344-5016

Paulding County To Host Agriculture Breakfast Next Week!

Join OSU Extension’s Water Quality team for a breakfast meeting focused on conservation practices!

We need your input on which types of conservation practices to include in future watershed plans. The practices outlined in these watershed plans will be the first to receive funding once the plans are implemented and grants are secured. The meeting will be held on the Paulding County Fairgrounds in the Youth Leadership Building from 7:30AM – 9:00 AM on Tuesday, April 12th. Breakfast will be provided free of charge, but an RSVP is required. Call 567-344-5016 to register, or email cochran.474@osu.edu.

Click the link below to see an enlarged version of the flyer

Paulding Breakfast Meeting Flyer

 

 

New 5-Minute Agriculture Topic Video on Cover Crops

Check out the newest video in the 5-Minute Ag Topic Video Series, found on the Paulding County YouTube Channel. This video, centered on cover crops, features Water Quality Extension Associate, Rachel Cochran, and Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension Educator, Sarah Noggle, both from our Paulding County Extension Office. To learn more about benefits that cover crops can provide, as well as tools for selecting the best ones to fit your goals, click the embedded video above!

Farm Business Analysis Technician Position Open!

The Farm Business Analysis Program from Ohio State University has an opening for a Farm Business Analysis Technician.  This position will be located in northwest Ohio.  The host County is Defiance, but our technicians do their work virtually, on farms, at programs, or at training, so generally being located in northwest Ohio is what we are looking for. Continue reading Farm Business Analysis Technician Position Open! →

Upcoming Webinar: Native Grasslands and Pollinator Habitat for Wildlife

By Dave Apsley, Natural Resources Specialist, Ohio State University Extension

Our first  A DAY in the WOODS program for 2022, “Native Grasslands and Pollinator Habitat for Wildlife”, will be offered via Zoom webinar at 3 pm on March 11.  A registration link and  more details can be found at: https://u.osu.edu/apsley.1/2022/02/22/native-grasslands-and-pollinator-habitat-for-wildlife-offered-via-zoom-webinar-on-march-11/

This program will introduce you to “Native Grasslands and Pollinator Habitat for Wildlife” which will be covered in more depth at our field-based July 22,  A DAY in the WOODS program.

Upcoming Western Lake Erie Basin Conservation Practices Public Input Meeting

Input Meeting Email Flyer – Link to flyer

Join OSU Extension’s Water Quality Associates on Tuesday, February 22nd from 10-11AM for a public input meeting regarding on-farm conservation practices. This webinar is aimed toward farmers in the Western Lake Erie Basin who farm or live near our target watersheds, found on the attached flier. This virtual webinar will allow OSU’s Water Quality team to hear directly from farmers and landowners to guide local watershed planning efforts and funding priorities. What conservation practices do you want to learn more about? Are there practices that you think may work for your farm, but you don’t know where to start? Are there practices you are interested in if additional funding or support becomes available? Join us for an informal discussion to talk about these topics.

Register for this webinar at www.go.osu.edu/inputmeeting, or contact a Water Quality Extension Associate to give your input if you can’t attend the meeting. Contact Paulding County’s WQEA Rachel Cochran, cochran.474@osu.edu, (567) 344-5016, with any questions.

Soil Health Webinar Series Continues!

The OSU Extension 2022 soil health webinar series will present “What does the Research Tell Us about Cover Crops & Soil Health?” on February 3, 8-9 a.m. Join us as OSUE Field Specialist Elizabeth Hawkins and State Soil Specialist Steve Culman share recent Ohio research trial results. Come with your questions! We hope to use the chat feature to collect some ideas from you on things you’re trying or would like to see researched. Register at go.osu.edu/soilhealth2022 for this virtual event. And mark your calendar for our final session on March 3, “Hot Topics – What’s the Future of Soil Health?”

We’re Hiring! Water Quality Extension Associate Position in Fulton County

OSU is hiring for the Water Quality Extension Associate position located in Fulton County, Ohio. This position serves Fulton, Williams, and Lucas counties. For more information or to apply, visit this link. Continue reading We’re Hiring! Water Quality Extension Associate Position in Fulton County →

Upcoming Webinar on Nitrogen Efficiency and Loss Prevention

Link to PDF of flyer: WQW Feb 16th Informational Flyer

Join the Ohio State University Water Quality Extension Associates for the next installment of the Water Quality Wednesday Webinar Series on February 16th. This webinar will focus on Nitrogen’s behavior and movement in soil, in-season Nitrogen recommendations, as well as utilizing the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) tool. Continue reading Upcoming Webinar on Nitrogen Efficiency and Loss Prevention →

New 5-Minute Ag Topic Video: Manure

Click below to view the second video in our new 5-Minute Ag Topic video series, which we hope to continue over the course of 2022. The topic for this second video is manure. Water Quality Extension Associate Rachel Cochran discusses different types of manure, rules and regulations surrounding its use, benefits to applying manure, as well as safety considerations. If you have any suggestions for future video topics, or would like to get information regarding manure research opportunities on your farm, please reach out to cochran.474@osu.edu or noggle.17@osu.edu.

Upcoming Beneficial Insects & Slug Management Workshop to be Held December 10th

Building your soil health comes with the right balance of several different practices. Over the years we have worked to achieve healthier soil and cleaner water; however, one area we have only scratched the surface of is improved pest management. This workshop will focus on how to manage insect and slug populations with beneficial predators. Continue reading Upcoming Beneficial Insects & Slug Management Workshop to be Held December 10th →

Upcoming Water Quality Wednesday Winter Programming

Join the Ohio State University’s Water Quality Extension Associates for a webinar series discussing topics related to water quality, ranging from Phosphorus and agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) to watershed planning and technology. Continue reading Upcoming Water Quality Wednesday Winter Programming →

New 5-Minute Ag Topic Video: Phosphorus

Click below to view the first video in our new 5-Minute Ag Topic video series, which we hope to release over the next few months. This first video topic is Phosphorus, where Water Quality Extension Associate Rachel Cochran discusses a quick overview of this essential plant nutrient. If you have any suggestions for future topics, please reach out to noggle.17@osu.edu or cochran.474@osu.edu.

Water Quality Extension Associates Planning Winter Meetings and Spring Research Need YOU!

The six water quality extension associates located in Northwest Ohio are gearing up for winter programming and need input from you! Continue reading Water Quality Extension Associates Planning Winter Meetings and Spring Research Need YOU! →