Drainage and Tile

2025 Overholt Drainage School (March 10 – 14, The Ohio State University Lima Campus) Registration closes on Feb. 28th

The 5-day Overholt Drainage School will cover a wide range of topics including planning, design and installation, drainage economics, topographic mapping, drainage law, GPS surveying, drainage design software, and conservation practices to manage water quality. The program is open to anyone interested in subsurface drainage design and installation, including drainage contractors, professional engineers, district technicians, consultants, NRCS, and agency professionals. Landowners and producers who intend to install or repair drainage systems on their own can greatly benefit by learning the key principles of drainage design and installation. Training is provided by a team of experts from The Ohio State University, experienced professionals from federal and state agencies such as the Ohio Department of Agriculture, and industry partners like the Ohio chapter of Land Improvement Contractors of America (OLICA). Check out the official flyer and agenda.

Cost: The cost of registration is $600 with discounts available for OLICA members, former Overholt School attendees, and multiple attendees from the same family, company, or agency. Lunch is included in the registration.

Registration information: Visit www.go.osu.edu/ODS25 for print and online registration forms, detailed session information, and hotel information. Availability may be limited, so early registration is encouraged. The registration deadline is February 28. Please contact me (shedekar.1@osu.edu) with any questions.

Training Schedule: Please see the attached flyer for a detailed agenda. Note that Day 1 on March 10th is optional for advanced participants.

Get Ready to Dig into Soil Health with the 2025 Ohio State Soil Health Webinar Series!

Are you ready to expand your knowledge of soil health? The 2025 Ohio State Soil Health Webinar Series is here, bringing expert insights on hot topics requested by viewers in recent years.

This free, virtual series offers a unique opportunity to learn from leading researchers, educators, and farmers who are shaping the future of soil health. Recordings will be available through the Ohio State Extension Agronomic Crops Team page, but event planners encourage live participation. Joining live sessions allows attendees to ask questions, share insights, and engage in meaningful conversations with experts.

Register now at go.osu.edu/SoilHealthWeb to receive meeting links and calendar reminders. Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs) can earn continuing education credits by attending live sessions. Continue reading Get Ready to Dig into Soil Health with the 2025 Ohio State Soil Health Webinar Series! →

NW Ohio Newsletter 2025

📬 The 2025 Northwest Ohio Newsletter is Coming!

Exciting news! The 2025 Northwest Ohio Newsletter will be hitting mailboxes near the end of December! 🗓️

Packed with the latest updates on agriculture, Extension programming, and community opportunities, this newsletter is your go-to resource for staying informed and connected.

Prefer to read online? 📲 Check out the Virtual Version here.

Stay tuned—there’s a lot to look forward to as we kick off a new year together! 🌾

#Agriculture #Extension #NWOhio #StayConnected #LeanOnYourLandGrant #PauldingCountyStrong #OSUE

Farm Office Live Scheduled for October 18

OSU Extension will be offering the October Farm Office Live webinar on Friday, October 18 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.  Farm Office Live is a monthly webinar of updates and outlooks on legal, economic, and farm management issues that affect Ohio agriculture. Some of the topics that will be addressed during this webinar include Fall Crop Insurance Update, USDA Drought Assistance Programs, Legal Update, Tribute to Paul Wright, Practical Out of Country Labor Resource for Farms, 4th Quarterly Fertilizer Price Summary, and  Winter Program Update. Featured speakers include guest Farm Office members Peggy Hall, Jeff Lewis, David Marrison, Robert Moore, Eric Richer, and Clint Schroeder. Register for this and future Farm Office Live webinars through this link on farmoffice.osu.edu.

Register for Soil Health Field Day on August 15

Hand holding soil

Article is taken from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-23/register-soil-health-field-day-august-15 by Stephanie Karhoff, CCA, Randall Reeder, Amanda Douridas, CCA

Join Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio No-Till Council in partnership with Cargill RegenConnect® on Thursday, August 15 for a Soil Health Field Day featuring leading experts and hands-on field demonstrations.

The event will be held at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center (135 OH-38, London, OH 43140; East end of Farm Science Review exhibit area). Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a welcome message from Janelle Leach, Conservation Agronomist with Cargill, at 9:15 a.m. Morning sessions will include the following:

  • Cover Crop Management & Termination – Dr. Alyssa Essman, The Ohio State University
  • Rain Fall Simulator and Slake Test – Jay & Ann Brandt
  • Cover Crop Selection Decisions & Planting Rates and Timing – Jason Hartschuh, The Ohio State University

Free lunch courtesy of our sponsors will be followed by keynote speaker Dr. Paul Jasa of University of Nebraska-Lincoln discussing “What Research Shows about No Till Systems and Cover Crops.”

The field day will close with a farmer panel discussion and additional time to interact with vendors. Register online by clicking here.

eFields Available digitally

The 2023 eFields report will provide summaries of on-farm research trials conducted around the state. Printed copies are available to you at no cost via the Paulding County Extension.

You can see past reports online at www.go.osu.edu/eFields. Additionally, we would like your help in shaping the future of our research efforts. The following is a survey go.osu.edu/eFieldsImpact to help with our direction in 2024.

Save the Date – Spring Tee Off 2024

Spring Tee Off, formerly Grounds & Greens, takes on a new look this year. Two separate tracks will be offered at the Spring Tee Off: BEST+ and Leadership. BEST+ takes the BEST Program to a new level, with hands-on laboratories for the identification of turfgrass species, seeds, weeds, diseases, and insects, all led by the OSU Turf Team. This track is geared toward recent entries to the turfgrass industry, Extension professionals, or veterans interested in brushing up their identification skills. Without correct identification of turfgrasses and pests, significant dollars and labor are wasted on improper pesticide applications. In the worst case, these applications can lead to loss of turf.

On the other side of the 4-H Center, leadership specialists from Ohio State University’s Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership will lead interactive seminars on topics not often featured at turfgrass events. However, these topics are critical to be effective in managerial or ownership positions, regardless of whether you are a golf course superintendent, lawn care operator, or sports field manager. These topics include leadership strategies, workplace culture, communication, and conflict management. You will leave these seminars with plans to attack each of these areas in your workplace.

More details about registration, speakers, and a final program will be released by the end of January and will be found at ohioturfgrass.org. Until then, prepare to be in Columbus on March 7 for a new experience.

Fall is the perfect time to review the Phosphorus Loss Risk Assessment document for determining P application rates

Fall is a busy time of year for many of us involved in agriculture; from harvest to cover crop seeding, to wheat planting and fertilizer application, we have a ton of tasks to get done in a short window of time. But with the hectic nature of the season comes an opportunity to refresh ourselves with the recommendations for Phosphorus application rates. Continue reading Fall is the perfect time to review the Phosphorus Loss Risk Assessment document for determining P application rates →

Soil Health Specialist Says Dry Conditions Have Complicated Cover Cropping

From Brownfield Ag News:

Click here to listen to the 5-minute interview with Dr. Anna Cates, University of Minnesota Extension Soil Health Specialist and Brownfield Ag News.

Some farmers new to cover crops might be having second thoughts after another dry growing season.

University of Minnesota Extension soil health specialist Anna Cates says cover crops generally take up a lot of water in the spring and fall.

“At a time when we have a lot of water. It rains a lot (and) the soil is holding a lot of water (so) it’s great to have something growing and reducing that a little bit. But the last couple years that reduction has kind of left us short for cash crop water supply, and that’s been a real hardship (and) we’ve seen poor stands because of it.”

She tells Brownfield farmers who have been using cover crops for several years or more don’t seem too concerned.

“For people who have seen the benefits over time, they say it’s 100 percent worth it. But if this is your first year and you barely saw any stand and then you had trouble terminating it in the spring, and then you saw a cash crop yield drag, that was not a great experience.”

Cates says early termination of the cover crop and lower seeding rates can help mitigate the challenges dry weather presents.

Farm Science Review is just around the corner!

LONDON, Ohio – More than 50 companies will join the ranks as exhibitors for the 61st Farm Science Review Sept. 19-21 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center. The new exhibitors represent various sectors in the agriculture industry including livestock handling, equipment advancements, agronomic technology, agricultural policy, and more.

Paulding County Extension Office has tickets for sale at a discounted price total of $10 per ticket. Tickets will be for sale until Monday, September 18 at noon. Continue reading Farm Science Review is just around the corner! →

Manure Management & Field Spill Demonstrations – Local Opportunity

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

1:00 – 4:00 pm | Delphos, OH

Learn how to respond to a liquid manure spill through this live spill demonstration and presentations.

Continuing education credits for CLM (3) and CCA (3) certifications

 

Click here for details.

New Factsheet: “Understanding How Soil Test Phosphorus Impacts Water Quality”

A factsheet discussing the relationship between the amount of Phosphorus in our soils and water quality, written by Greg LaBarge, Field Specialist, Agronomic Systems and Rachel Cochran, Water Quality Extension Associate at Ohio State University was released today. It discusses the importance of P management, as well as different studies that have examined the relationship between P levels and water quality. Many best practices for managing high P levels are discussed as well. View the factsheet at this link, or visit Ohioline and search for the factsheet ANR-0111.

Summer Ag Events in NW Ohio

 

Hi all,

I wanted to share the upcoming events in NW Ohio Extension related to Agriculture to get those events on your calendar. Here is the link https://go.osu.edu/summernwohio22 or you can download the PDF of the newsletter 2022 Summer NW Ohio Newsletter PDF Version. I hope to see you at these summer events.

USDA Video Showcases Key Partnerships Driving Science-Based Conservation in Western Lake Erie Basin

A new USDA video provides a closer look at the collaborative partnerships driving innovative water quality assessment and conservation in the Western Lake Erie Basin. The video, Science-Based Solutions: Leveraging Partnerships to Protect the Western Lake Erie Basin, shows how USDA’s Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) watershed studies in the Western Lake Erie Basin bring researchers, farmers, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations together to develop science-based solutions and strategically place them where they can deliver the greatest conservation benefits.

Under CEAP, a network of researchers, from government agencies to universities, work together to monitor the impact of conservation practices on the landscape. These studies directly inform USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service programs, practices, and planning and ensure that the agency provides technical and financial assistance to landowners to develop and implement impactful conservation plans.

Regional partnerships like those driving conservation efforts in the Western Lake Erie Basin have proven to be effective, as demonstrated by the recently released USDA report, Conservation Practices on Cultivated Cropland: A Comparison of CEAP I and CEAP II Survey Data and Modeling.

CEAP is a multi-agency effort to quantify the environmental effects of conservation practices and programs and develop the science base for managing the agricultural landscape for environmental quality. Project findings will be used to guide USDA conservation policy and program development and help conservationists, farmers and ranchers make more informed conservation decisions.

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

 

 

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.

Manure Science Review Coming August 10th

By Glen Arnold- OSU Extension

The annual Manure Science Review will be held on Tuesday, August 10 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at MVP Dairy near Celina, Ohio. Attendees will see and hear about this state-of-the-art dairy’s 80-cow rotary milking parlor, manure handling and management for the 4,400-cow herd, and regenerative farming practices. Speakers will provide updates on the effectiveness of saturated buffers in reducing runoff in Grand Lake Saint Marys as well as issues of legacy phosphorus runoff and the KDS/Quick wash system for manure nutrient recovery. Field demonstrations will include solid and liquid applicators, the Cadman Side-dress System, Oxbo Equipment, in-season manure side-dress demos, and more.

Continuing education credits have been approved for Certified Crop Advisors, Certified Livestock Managers, and Indiana State Chemist certifications. Registration costs are $25 per person until August 1st and $30 per person after that date. For program and registration details, click on the link at ocamm.osu.edu or contact Mary Wicks (wicks.14@osu.edu; 330.202.3533).

Farmer Advocates wanted!

https://youtu.be/5miEieP1vdA

Do you know of a farmer who would be an excellent candidate with leadership, enthusiasm, and passion for soil health and water quality management as a Farmer Advocate for Conservation? You can nominate them by completing an online form. Select the button for the application.

The Nature Conservancy is looking for farmers who are currently utilizing cover crops on their farms in the Maumee River Watershed of the Western Lake Erie Basin. We are looking for a diverse group of farmers; large acreage, small acreage, corn and soy, small grains, livestock, new and experienced, willing to reach out and share their knowledge and experiences with other farmers in their area. Selected farmers will be compensated for their time. Select the button for this application.

If you are interested in being part of this exciting farmer-led outreach project and would like to apply as a Farmer Advocate for Conservation please complete the online application form by selecting the button above.

The application period is open for farmers in the Western Lake Erie Basin that are interested in sharing their conservation farming practices with other farmers.  Farmer Advocates will be compensated for their time to attend the training and work with other farmers @ $30/hour.  The focus of the project is to promote farmers learning from each other about building soil health and managing water.

To apply as a Farmer Advocate for Conservation or to nominate a farmer you believe would be an excellent candidate please use the online application and nomination forms on the landing page found at https://sites.google.com/view/farmeradvocate or please contact Stephanie Singer, Stephanie.Singer@tnc.org.

The Dirt on Soil Health: Investing Below the Surface recordings available.

Did you miss out on the live presentations for this winter on The Dirt on Soil Health: Investing Below the Surface? Great news! Recordings are available for the entire series of topics.

In this weekly series, farmers, industry, and academic experts weighed in on practical steps to improve soil health and measure impact on crop yield and farm profitability.

Recordings and Slide Sets are available at https://agcrops.osu.edu/events/webinar-recordings/dirt-soil-health-investing-below-surface-0 or on the OSU Agronomic Crops Team YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYlh_BdeqniJPI5Ga7icO7mbFzDdpK7fr or by clicking one of the videos below.

Does It Pay to Improve Soil Health on Your Farm?

Panel discussion with farmers Nathan Brown (Highland County), Matt Falb (Wayne County), and Les Seiler (Fulton County).

Continue reading The Dirt on Soil Health: Investing Below the Surface recordings available. →