January 22 | 8:30 AM – Fertilizer Recertification; 9:30 AM Pesticide Recertification
Location: Paulding County Extension Building, 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding, OH
Cost: $45 Combo; $10 Fertilizer Only; $35 Pesticide Only
All Attendees are required to register online. Credit card registration will only be taken online.
Register by January 19: go.osu.edu/26PauldingPATFERT
Why Ohio Fertilizer Certification Matters — and Who Should Be Certified
Are you applying or supervising the application of manure or fertilizer on your farm? If so, you’ll want to read on.
What is the certification?
In Ohio, the Ohio Fertilizer Applicator Certification is a required credential for anyone applying fertilizer or manure—or supervising its application—on more than 50 acres of agricultural production grown primarily for sale. Technically, fertilizer is defined as any substance containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, or other plant nutrients in dry or liquid form. The certification training gives you the knowledge you need to meet regulatory requirements, manage nutrients, protect water quality, apply materials effectively, and keep proper records.
Who needs to be certified?
Why is this important? Continue reading New Fertilizer Applicator Certification Class in Paulding County on December 3
Farm Science Review tickets are on sale now at the Paulding County Extension Office!
🚜FSR is the premier agricultural education and industry expo in the area. With new ag technology, hands-on exhibits, field demonstrations, conservation practices programs, commercial exhibitors, and research showcases, it is one of the biggest agricultural events of the year!
📲FSR dates are Tuesday through Thursday, September 16, 17, and 18, and are located at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center, 135 SR 38 NE, London, OH 43140.
🎟 Single-day tickets are $10 presale, $15 at the gate, and children 5 and under are free.
Presale tickets are on sale until 4:00 pm on September 15 and are in limited quantity. Stop by the office today!
The Ohio Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is offering a free pesticide disposal collection event for farmers and agribusinesses.
This event will be held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at the Fulton County Fairgrounds from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm. The address for this event is 8770 State Route 108, Wauseon, OH 43567.
This is an opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted agricultural pesticides at no cost. Only farm pesticides will be accepted—items such as paint, antifreeze, solvents, and household or non-farm pesticides will not be permitted.
Those with large quantities are asked to pre-register by contacting the Ohio Department of Agriculture at (614) 728-6987.
For those of you tracking fertilizer pricing, here is the report for the Second Quarter in Ohio.
The second quarter results from a survey of Ohio fertilizer retailers showed prices in Ohio were generally lower compared to the national averages reported by Progressive Farmer – DTN (Quinn, April 2025). The survey was completed by nine retailers, representing nine counties, who do business in the state of Ohio. Respondents were asked to quote spot prices as of the first day of the quarter (April 1st) based on sale type.
The survey found the average prices of fertilizer were lower in Ohio compared to the national prices for all major fertilizers except DAP. However, only two were significantly lower (more than 5%): 28% UAN was 10% lower and 10-34-0 APP was 6% lower than the national average. The national average price for DAP was the same as in Ohio.
When compared to prices from the last quarter’s Ohio survey, three fertilizers were up significantly (more than 5%): 28% UAN, up to $341/ton from $292/ton; urea, up to $561/ton from $491/ton; and potash, up to $449/ton from $415/ton.
When compared to the April 2024 average Ohio prices, the April 2025 average Ohio prices were slightly lower for anhydrous, 28% UAN, MAP, DAP, and potash. Ammonium sulfate is the only product that saw a significant price increase (+20.2%) in the last year. Urea, ammonium thiosulfate, and poultry litter remained relatively unchanged (+/-1%) from one year ago.
The chart linked in the report (Table 1.) is the summary of the survey responses. The responses (n) are the number of survey responses for each product. The minimum and maximum values reflect the minimum and maximum values reported in the survey. The average is the simple average of all survey responses for each product rounded to the nearest dollar. We recognize that many factors influence a company’s spot price for fertilizer including but not limited to availability, geography, volume, cost of freight, competition, regulation, etc.
The Hancock County Ohio State University Extension Office along with the Hanock and Putnam County SWCD offices will be hosting a Livestock Mortality Composting Certification Training at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2nd at the Hancock County Agriculture Center meeting room located at 7868 County Road 140, Findlay, Ohio.
This training session will certify an operator to compost all approved livestock species and is available to all Ohio livestock producers. Composting is a natural process where bacteria and fungi decompose organic material in a predominantly aerobic environment. During the composting process, microorganisms break down organic materials into a stable mixture called compost. The compost resembles humus, and is spread on farming fields.
To legally compost dead livestock in Ohio from normal farming practices, producers must attend a certification program.
All who are interested in attending are asked to pre-register by April 1st by phone at 419-422-6569 or e-mail h2ohio@hancockswcd.com. There is no cost to attend. Check out the Livestock Mortality Composting Workshop Flyer.
Ohio State University Extension’s fourth annual Soil Health Tour is live for 2024! This year’s virtual tour partnered with Michigan State University to showcase conservation practices in action through the Western Lake Erie Basin of Ohio and Michigan. Five tour stops showcase individual farmers who have implemented different conservation practices on their farms. Each producer’s video interview with an Extension staff member discusses the practice they are utilizing, why they chose to implement it, benefits they have seen thus far, and changes they would make, if any if they did it all over again. In addition to those sites, we are showcasing 8 regional locations of a study that members of OSU Extension have completed over the past few years, looking at soil health across the state. To view the interactive StoryMap, visit go.osu.edu/SHTour24.
If you enjoy learning about conservation practices in action, consider joining us for an event on February 20th, 2025, at Northwest State Community College. This event, Success Stories of Conservation, will be a place for farmers, landowners, and technical support staff to openly discuss how conservation has worked for them, as well as their challenges with these practices. More information can be found at our website, waterqualityextension.osu.edu.
Author: Wm. Bruce Clevenger, Field Specialist, Farm Management
Registration is now open for the Basics of Grain Marketing Workshop, January 16 & 17, 2025 at the OSU Extension Champaign County Office in Urbana, Ohio. This in-person workshop offers education and farm-ready strategies on topics such as basis, market carry, margins, cash markets, forward and futures contracts, hedge to arrive and basis contracts, differed price, hedging, storage, and overviews on options, spreads, and crop insurance. It’s “more than a 2-day workshop”, featuring pre-workshop activities on calculating grain cost of production and measure of risk comfort. The workshop will include grain marketing basics, applications, and activities, plus a panel of industry professionals. A post-workshop grain marketing peer group will be offered to strengthen learning into action with webinar updates. The workshop has 50 limited seats.
Expert instructors: Seungki Lee, The Ohio State University, Grant Gardner, University of Kentucky, and Ben Brown, University of Missouri. Hotel block rate deadline: December 15, 2024. Workshop registration deadline: January 3, 2025. For more information and registration, visit https://go.osu.edu/grainmarketing
This workshop is possible with the support of grower checkoff dollars via the Ohio Soybean Council and Ohio Corn & Wheat. This workshop is led by Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio State University Farm Financial Management & Policy Institute.
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!
Paulding County Fertilizer & Pesticide Recertification Classes
Attention Paulding County farmers and applicators! Mark your calendars for the Fertilizer and Pesticide Recertification Workshop on Tuesday, January 23, 2025. This is an important opportunity to renew your certifications and stay compliant while learning about the latest in fertilizer and pesticide management.
📅 Date: Tuesday, January 23, 2025
📍 Location: Paulding County Extension Office
503 Fairground Drive, Paulding, OH 45879
⏰ Schedule:
💲 Cost:
🍴 Light snacks will be provided with registration.
🚨 Pre-registration is mandatory.Spots are limited, and no walk-ins will be accepted.
🗓️ Registration Deadline: January 17, 2025
🔗 Register Here: go.osu.edu/PauldingPATFERT25
(Scan the QR Code below for quick access!)
For questions or additional information, contact:
Sarah Noggle
📧 Email: noggle.17@osu.edu
📞 Phone: (419) 399-8225
Don’t miss this chance to recertify, connect with other producers, and gain valuable knowledge for the upcoming growing season. Reserve your spot today! 🌾
Are you a farmer in Northwest Ohio who planted corn this year? The Water Quality Extension Associates are looking for partners to participate in an “End-of-Season Soil Nitrogen After Corn” study to help understand nitrogen use and efficiency and potential adjustments to N programs. OSU Extension will pay lab costs for up to two samples per farm.
For more information, please visit go.osu.edu/eosnitrogen or reach out to Rachel Cochran at cochran.474@osu.edu or Heather at torlina.1@osu.edu.
Over the past week, one of the most frequent questions and concerns brought to the Paulding County Extension Office was about GPS malfunctions affecting farm operations. Many farmers reported having to manually steer combines, manure tankers, fertilizer applicators, and grain carts due to disrupted GPS signals. So, what caused these issues, and how can farmers prepare for similar disruptions in the future?
Introduction
Last week, a series of intense solar flares, part of ongoing solar activity, caused disruptions to satellite-based systems around the globe. Farmers using GPS technology for precision agriculture were particularly impacted, as these tools are essential for tasks like planting, soil mapping, and irrigation management. This article will explore how space weather, specifically solar flares, affects farm operations dependent on GPS, the science behind solar flares, and what to expect as we head toward the solar maximum. Continue reading Space Weather Disturbances and Farm GPS Interruptions: Understanding Last Week’s Solar Flares
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.
Loading of fertilizer applicator
Article is taken from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-23/2024-third-quarter-fertilizer-prices-across-ohio by Clint Schroeder, Eric Richer, CCA, Amanda Bennett
Results from a quarterly survey of retail fertilizer prices in the state of Ohio revealed fertilizer prices were slightly lower than the July national averages reported by Progressive Farmer for the second consecutive quarter – DTN (Quinn, 2024). The survey was completed by 17 retailers, representing 11 counties, who do business in the state of Ohio. Respondents were asked to quote spot prices as of the first day of the quarter (July 1st) based on sale type indicated. This is part of a larger study conducted by OSU Extension to better understand local fertilizer prices, which began in December 2023.
In summary, survey participants reported the average price of all fertilizers was lower in Ohio compared to the national prices, with Potash ($456/ton in Ohio versus $506/ton nationally) and 28% UAN ($309/ton in Ohio compared to $345/ton nationally) offering the largest discounts (Quinn, 2024).
Continue reading 2024 Third Quarter Fertilizer Prices Across Ohio
Manure Monday webinars are back. Manure Mondays Registration Form is included in the link below. Join the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs starting Monday, March 4th, 2024 at 2 pm to continue conversations about a variety of aspects dealing with manure management.
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs invites you to the 2024 Manure Monday Series. Sessions will be delivered through Zoom. The sessions are free. When you register, you will be registered for all sessions. Registration link click here. Session dates will be March 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm ET. 
If you have any questions please contact us at by phone at 1-877-424-1300 or by email at ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.
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
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!
Ohio State Extension announced plans to host a Small Farm Conference in Mansfield Ohio on March 11, 2023. The theme for this year’s Mid-Ohio Small Farm Conference is “Sowing Seeds for Success.”
Conference session topics are geared toward beginning and small farm owners as well as farms looking to diversify their operations. There will be five different conference tracks including Farm Office, Horticulture and Produce Production, Livestock, Agritourism/ Marketing, and Natural Resources.
Some conference topic highlights include: How to purchase our family farm, food animal processing, beekeeping, sweet corn, blueberry and pumpkin production, small ruminant nutrition, agritourism laws, fruit tree pruning, and cut flower diseases.
Anyone interested in developing, growing, or diversifying their small farm is invited to attend including market gardeners, farmers market vendors, and anyone interested in small farm living.
Attendees will have the opportunity to browse a trade show featuring the newest and most innovative ideas and services for their farming operations. The conference provides an opportunity to talk with the vendors and network with others.
The Conference will take place from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Mansfield OSU Campus in Ovalwood Hall, just minutes from I-71 and US Rt 30.
For conference and registration call OSU Extension Morrow County at 419-947-1070 or OSU Extension Knox County at 740-397-0401. Please follow this link to register for the conference: https://go.osu.edu/2023osusmallfarmconf
Join Defiance and Paulding County OSU Extension in Jewel, Ohio for the next Ag Outlook meeting on Tuesday, February 14 from 5:30 – 9:00 PM at the Jewell Community Center, 7900 Independence Rd., Defiance, OH 43512.
Registration is preferred online @ https://go.osu.edu/23DefianceOutlook or call the Defiance County Extension office at 419-782-4771
RSVP by February 13. NO LATE REGISTRATIONS.
CCA Credits Applied For and the Cost: $10.00/person
Testing for Private and Commercial Pesticide, Fertilizer Applicator License will take place on February 7, February 23, and March 8 in Paulding County at the Extension Office. While our office does not administer the test, we are the host and will do our best to provide you with information. Testing will start at 10:00 AM. You must pre-register via ODA’s website HERE. You will need to click the exam registration tab and choose exam by location as to where you want to sign up. Multiple exams may be taken during a session. Additionally, the Ohio Fertilizer Certification test is given at these locations.
General Information: Ohio Department of Agriculture offers an in-person testing option for Private and Commercial Pesticides examinations for 2023. Pre-registering with the Ohio Department of Agriculture is mandatory.
Day of in-person testing reminders: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ohio Department of Agriculture asks that every person taking the exam do a self-check before entering ODA’s campus or regional exam location. If you are feeling sick, please reschedule your exam.
Need to check your pesticide test scores? Go to this link: https://agri.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/oda/divisions/plant-health/pesticides/exam-results
Notes for Pesticide Testing Applicants must be 18 years of age and have a valid ID through the state of Ohio or potential for state reciprocity. Register via the ODA website.