Registration required for 2024 Pesticide and Fertilizer Recertification in Paulding County on January 30, 2024

Greetings all,

Registration is required for the January 30, Fertilizer and Pesticide Recertification in Paulding County.  We now have a link to register online and we now also have a credit card payment option. You must have an email address to pay by credit card. You may also scan the QR Code to register and pay.

  • Date: Tuesday, January 30, 2024: Fertilizer Recertification 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM; Pesticide Recertification 9:45 AM – 12:45 PM
  • Pre-registration is mandatory for this event. Spots are limited. No walk-ins.
  • Location: Paulding County Extension Office, 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding OH 45879
  • Cost: PAT $35, FERT $10, Combo $45
  • Registration Information: RSVP by January 26. Limited seats for this meeting. Light snacks are provided with registration.
  • Contact: Sarah Noggle, noggle.17@osu.edu, (419) 399-8225
  • Registration Link: go.osu.edu/PauldingPATFERT24

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

Are you Ready… Emergency Preparedness?

Join us on September 13, 2023, for the Women in Agriculture next session.

Are you Ready… Emergency Preparedness?

What could be considered an emergency on your farm? Are you, your family members, and your employees prepared to respond to small- and large-scale incidents when they unexpectedly appear? More than stocking a first aid kit, this session will provide checklists and templates to help you create a customized emergency plan for your property in the event you need to take action.

To sign up for the Webinar: https://go.osu.edu/wiawednesdaywebinars2023

To see the official event flyer click September 2023 WIAWW.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

By Sarah Noggle, OSU Extension, Paulding County

It is important to take a moment to reflect on the mental health challenges that farmers face year-round. Farming can be a rewarding profession, but it can also be incredibly demanding and isolating. From dealing with unpredictable weather and fluctuating markets to managing finances and family responsibilities, farmers carry a lot of stress on their shoulders.

The impact of mental health challenges on farmers is significant. According to a recent study by the American Farm Bureau Federation, 91% of farmers reported experiencing stress, anxiety, fatigue, or other mental health challenges. Furthermore, a 2020 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that farmers have a higher suicide rate than the general population.

It is clear that we need to prioritize farmers’ mental health. Here are some steps we can take:

  1. Raise awareness: Let’s start by talking openly about mental health challenges in the farming community. This can help reduce the stigma around seeking help and encourage farmers to prioritize their mental health.
  2. Provide resources: There are many resources available to farmers who are struggling with mental health challenges. These include hotlines, support groups, and counseling services. Let’s make sure that farmers know about these resources and how to access them. One such resource is the website http://u.osu.edu/farmstress
  3. Foster community: Farming can be an isolating profession, but it doesn’t have to be. Let’s work to build strong farming communities where farmers can connect with each other and provide support. Our Paulding County farm families have opportunities to connect.
  4. Advocate for policy change: Policies that support farmers, such as fair prices and access to healthcare, can help reduce the financial and emotional stress that farmers face. If you are struggling to locate these resources, please reach out to me (Sarah Noggle).

As members of the farming community, we all have a role to play in prioritizing farmers’ mental health. Let’s work together to ensure that every farmer has the support and resources they need to thrive. Our community has many partnerships. I believe in prevention via awareness of programs such as Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR). For more information visit our Ohio State Farm Stress website https://go.osu.edu/farmstress

Stay safe while planting this spring season.

 

Agricultural Guest workers in Ohio: What We Know and Where We’re Going

Please see the Agricultural Guestworkers in Ohio_invite for an exciting hybrid event presenting some novel research and a panel discussion about H-2A farmworkers in Ohio. All who are interested in the status of on-farm workers and agricultural labor issues in the state are very welcome! For those attending in person, light refreshments will be served. Please direct any questions to Dr. Margaret Jodlowski (jodlowski.1@osu.edu), Dept. of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics. 

The program is In-Person or Virtual on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, and the program is 1-2:30 pm or Reception: 2:30-3:30 pm

In-Person Location: Room 250A Agricultural Administration Building; or Virtually via Zoom

Register here!

Continue reading

Paulding County EMA sets Mitigation Dates for Agricultural Aspect of Paulding County

Fire burns stubble on the field.

Hello there,
If you have received this email, it is because your presence is requested to take part in Paulding County’s Pre-Hazard Mitigation Planning Meetings. These meetings in particular will focus on the agricultural aspects of the plan. We will be talking about the impact on the business side of agriculture as well as the family farms. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires that each county in the United States have a Pre Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Mitigation Plan allows for local governments to plan for and implement sustainable cost-effective measures designed to reduce the risk to individuals and property from future natural hazards, while also reducing reliance on federal funding for future disasters. Continue reading

September Farm Office Live – September 22 @ 10:00 AM

Sept 2022 Farm Office LiveThis season’s Farm Office Live schedule is set! We return on September 22 at 10 am, live from Farm Science Review! Make sure to register for this season’s Farm Office Live by following this link: https://osu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3V84ep3zT6SsKDJ_k_2FQg

Registration does not carry over from year to year. So, if you want to stay up to date with all the latest farm management and ag law issues, make sure to sign up!

2022 to 23 Farm Office Live Flyer

September Farm Office Live Slide

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 Farm Office Live on April 22

I just wanted to shoot you all a quick note letting you know that this month’s Farm Office Live is two weeks away!  Yes, that means we have changed the date of this month’s Farm Office Live.  Instead of Wednesday, April 20th, Farm Office Live will now take place on Friday, April 22nd from 10:00 – 11:30 AM.

Topics on April 22 will include:

  • State and Federal Legislation Update
  • LLC Liability Protection Review
  • 2021 Midwest Farm Performance Preview
  • Fertilizer and Crop Budgets Update
  • FSA Program Updates
  • Ohio General Assembly Website Tour

Ohio Landowner/Hunter Access Partnership Program

Information provided by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Image: Ohio Department of Natural Resources

The Ohio Landowner/Hunter Access Partnership (OLHAP) Program is a new way for Ohio hunters to get access to private properties. This program is funded in part by the federal Farm Bill under their Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP). This bill provides funding to state and tribal agencies through a competitive grant process to implement programs encouraging hunting access on private properties. As part of the 2018 Farm Bill, Ohio was awarded $1,831,500 to implement the new OLHAP program. The OLHAP program uses part of those funds to pay landowners for hunters to access their property. Participating landowners receive annual payment rates ranging from $2.00 to $30.00 per acre depending on the characteristics of the property enrolled. Enrollment contracts are for 2-3 years, with the possibility of extension.

If you are a landowner interested in finding out more about the program or wishing to enroll your property, please complete the form at https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/buy-and-apply/hunting-fishing-boating/hunting-resources/ohio-landowner-hunter-access with your contact information. An OLHAP program representative will be in contact with you to provide more resources.

Rapid Increase in Ivermectin Prescriptions and Reports of Severe Illness Associated with Use of Products Containing Ivermectin to Prevent or Treat COVID-19

From Center for Disease Control (CDC – Press Release August 26, 2021)

Summary
Ivermectin is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved prescription medication used to treat certain infections caused by internal and external parasites. When used as prescribed for approved indications, it is generally safe and well-tolerated.During the COVID-19 pandemic, ivermectin dispensing by retail pharmacies has increased, as has the use of veterinary formulations available over the counter but not intended for human use. FDA has cautioned about the potential risks of use for prevention or treatment of COVID-19.

Ivermectin is not authorized or approved by FDA for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. The National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel has also determined that there are currently insufficient data to recommend ivermectin for treatment of COVID-19. ClinicalTrials.gov has listings of ongoing clinical trials that might provide more information about these hypothesized uses in the future. Continue reading

Safety Around Manure Pits

Tragedy struck a farm family in Mercer County when three brothers were killed after entering the manure storage on their dairy farm. This is an unimaginable loss and one that occurs way too often. It is hard to stand by and wait for help when a loved one is unconscious in a dangerous situation but we see time and again how entering to save them often leads to the death of another family member. Please be aware of all the dangers on your farm and inform your family and employees as well. To learn more about manure gasses, read this fact sheet.

Don’t Forget to Register for the Tri-State Precision Agriculture Conference

Join OSU Extension Henry County for the inaugural Tri-State Precision Agriculture Conference on August 11, 2021. Speakers will discuss current trends in tillage equipment, and equipment demonstrations will feature high-speed tillage, vertical tillage, strip tillage, and cover crop seeding systems. Fertilizer re-certification and CCA credits available.

When:  Wednesday, August 11, 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Continue reading

Take the Wheel – OSU Extension and Kenn-Feld Group to Host Women’s Tractor Safety and Operation Program on August 28

Learn how to safely operate agricultural equipment with OSU Extension and Kenn-Feld Group at their Women’s Tractor Safety and Operation Program. OSU Extension Educational Program Manager Lisa Pfeifer will demonstrate how to stay safe around agricultural equipment and identify equipment parts. Then take the driver’s seat and practice operating equipment thanks to our hosting dealership Kenn-Feld Group.

The Women’s Tractor Safety and Operation Program will be held on Saturday, August 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Kenn-Feld Group, 2772 US-6, Edgerton. The cost of the program is $10 per person and includes coffee and refreshments.

Women of all ages interested in learning how to operate compact to mid-size tractors in a supportive environment and network with other area women are encouraged to attend. Registration is required by August 23 and is limited to 20 participants. Register online at go.osu.edu/WmsCoTractorSafety or call Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator Stephanie Karhoff at 419-636-5608 for more information.

Tractor Safety Program Promotional Flyer Final

Take the OSU Extension Health Survey – Looking for Full and Part Time Farmers

  • Give us 15 minutes to tell us about your health behaviors for sun safety and 7 other areas: sleep, stress, nutrition, physical activity & a few more
  • We will not ask your name, or any other personal identifiers – your information will be aggregated with other farmer responses in Ohio
  • This information will develop future Extension programs and resources for healthy living.
  • There is a $10 gift card incentive for all completed surveys – for 100 Ohio farmers.
  • Go to our survey link directly:  www.go.osu.edu/HealthSurvey2020

For questions, contact:

Pat Brinkman, Extension Educator Family & Consumer Sciences, brinkman.93@osu.edu

Dee Jepsen, Ag Safety and Health, jepsen.4@osu.edu

Additional Information From ODA About The Mystery Seeds

Americans Receive Mystery Seeds in the Mail, Mostly From China - WSJPlease note: Paulding County has received various packets of seeds.  Please follow the directions below or contact Sarah at the Extension Office (419-399-8225) to arrange a drop off of the seeds.  

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is asking Ohioans to please send in unsolicited seeds.

After increasing reports of Ohio citizens receiving packages of unsolicited seeds in the mail, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is again urging the public to report and submit any unsolicited seed packets to ODA. In partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine Office, ODA is working to investigate the number of seed packets sent to Ohio, what type of seeds they are, and where they were mailed from. Continue reading

Recordings of Farm Office Live

One of the questions I have received this week is I can’t join the OSU Farm Office Live, where do I get these recordings.  Great News — You can view these recordings and also download the presenter slides at farmoffice.osu.edu/farmofficelive.

I have also included the webinars from April 6 to June 11 below.  Go to the link above to review today’s session. Continue reading

Navigating COVID-19 on the Farm – Best practices for Daily Management of Sanitation, Deliveries, Equipment Repairs, and People

by:  Lisa Pfeifer, Educational Program Manager, Agricultural Safety & Health & Dee Jepsen, Ph.D., Associate Professor and State Safety Program Leader, Agricultural Safety & Health

Click here for a PDF version of this article

Practices for limiting exposure and risks related to coronavirus.

While agriculture has been a part of the essential work that continues to hum with a focus on keeping our food supply chains open amid stay at home orders, it is important not to lose sight of the fact business, as usual, will demand course correction and new plans to keep family and employees safe, and farms operable and secure. Information changes quickly in the face of the unknowns of this pandemic, but one prediction that has remained stable is the timeline for a vaccine. It will be 12 to 18 months before a vaccine is available, necessitating plans to see farms through spring planting, summer, harvest, winter, and spring a second time. To delve into some ideas on how to navigate a normal workday on the farm in the face of a public health emergency and an economic crisis it will take thinking outside of the box and a commitment to change some rote behavior and practice. Continue reading