Hot off the “presses”. The 2025 eFields Report is now available online at https://digitalag.osu.edu! Check out some of the exciting research projects conducted with farmers across Ohio. Many Putnam County farmers collaborate every year, with not all projects summarized in the report. Thank you to everyone who has assisted with on-farm research this past year!
Nutrient Management
NW Ohio Beef Cattle Feedlot School on February 23
Why attend?
This year’s Cattle Feeding School will focus on improving feedlot cost of gain by evaluating alternative feedstuffs and diet formulation and consistency of the diet when using a TMR mixer. Dr. Haley Linder, Assistant Professor of Ruminant Nutrition in the Department of Animal Sciences, will discuss alternative fiber and protein options, including the role of cover crops in beef nutrition. To wrap up the program, Allen Gahler, Educator with OSU Extension Sandusky County, and Jason Hartschuh, Dairy Management and Precision Livestock Field Specialist, will discuss how mixing a diet affects the consistency of feed delivered to the bunk. They will also discuss the impact of nitrogen application and fungicides on corn as a feedstuff. Check out the official flyer NW Feedlot School
Details:
- Date: February 23, 2026
- Time: 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: Northwest Ag Research Station, 4240 Range Line Rd., Custar, OH 43511
Contact: Nick Eckel, ANR Educator, OSU Extension- Wood County
Cost: $10 registration fee to attend. - Refreshments are provided.
- Space is limited to 50 participants.
- Please RSVP to the Wood County Extension office, 419-354-9050.
- Deadline to register is February 20.
Commercial Pesticide Applicator Crash Course
Are you preparing to become a commercial pesticide applicator in Ohio? Join OSU Extension for two focused training sessions designed to help you gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to apply pesticides safely, effectively, and in compliance with state regulations.
These trainings are ideal for individuals seeking a commercial applicator license for the first time or preparing for certification exams. Led by pesticide safety and education experts from OSU Extension, each session will cover essential topics for agronomic commercial pesticide applicators. Paulding County Extension is partnering with the Mercer County Extension Office to offer these two different sessions. November 20 will only be offered in Mercer County, and December 18 will be offered in both counties. Flyer and Registration Link
📅 Training Dates & Topics
November 20, 2025 – Commercial Core Training
Learn the foundational principles every commercial applicator needs to know:
- Laws and regulations
- Applicator safety and environmental protection
- Calculations and formulations
- Label interpretation
December 18, 2025 – Agronomy Pesticide Basics Training
Take a deeper dive into agronomic pest management:
- Weed control principles and herbicide terminology
- Disease management in agronomic crops
- Insect management in agronomic crops
📍 Location: Mercer County Agriculture Center Conference Room, 4978 Mud Pike, Celina, OH
Note: The December 18 session will also be hosted in Paulding County, but all registration will be coordinated through the Mercer County office.
🕗 Time: 8:00 – 11:30 a.m.
💲 Cost: $35 per training (Pay at the event with cash or check, or Pay by credit card when registering online)
📝 Registration: Pre-registration is required. Scan the QR code on the flyer or register online at go.osu.edu/commpest.
📞 Questions? Contact Sarah Noggle at 419-399-8225 or noggle.17@osu.edu
Horticulture Hot Topics At Cooper Community Library on November 6
Horticulture Hot Topics: Cover Crops for Your Garden
Join us on Thursday, November 6, at 5:30 PM at the Cooper Community Library in Oakwood! Learn how cover crops can improve your garden’s soil health and reduce weeds—all while adding beauty and biodiversity. 🌾
Hosted by the Paulding County Carnegie Library and OSU Extension Paulding County.
💬 RSVP appreciated — call 419-399-8225 and ask for Katie.
👩🌾 Presented by Sarah Noggle, OSU Extension Educator.
Don’t forget to get your Pre-Sale Farm Science Review Tickets
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!
HAPPENING SOON: 2025 Soil Health and Water Management Field Day!
🌱 Explore the Future of Farming!
Join us at Ohio State Lima’s Regenerative Agriculture Field Day — featuring no-till, cover crops, water management tech, and more. 🌾💧
🎤 Expert talks
🚜 In-field demos
📍 Open to farmers, students & the public! The first 75 RSVP’s are FREE thanks to our sponsors!
📅 August 28, 2025; 8:30 am – 4 pm
📍 OSU Lima Regenerative Ag Farm 4240 Campus Dr, Lima, OH 45804 Galvin Hall $25 per individual after.
For registration, visit go.osu.edu/limafieldday!
#RegenerativeAg #SustainableFarming #OSULima #FieldDay #CoverCrops #NoTill #WaterConservation
Livestock Mortality Composting In Person Class on April 2
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.
Join us on March 4 for the Field to Finance Monthly Roundtable
🌱 Join Us for Field to Finance – Growing Success! 🌾
Are you a new or beginning farmer looking to sharpen your skills in agronomy and farm management? Whether you’re 18 or 80, the Field to Finance – Growing Success monthly series in Paulding County, OH, is here to support you!
📅 Next Session: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
🕘 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📍 Paulding County Extension Office, 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding, OH
💲 FREE to attend!
🔥 This Month’s Topics:
🌽 Agronomy (9:00 AM): Using the Corn, Soybean & Wheat Budgets
📊 Farm Management (10:00 AM): Technology in Agriculture (QGIS) & The Value of Farm Meetings in Transition
Each session features expert speakers, hands-on learning, and valuable networking with experienced farmers. RSVP is appreciated to ensure we have enough handouts and refreshments!
👉 Register here: go.osu.edu/FarmForward25
For questions, contact Sarah Noggle at (419) 399-8225 or noggle.17@osu.edu.
👩🌾👨🌾 Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your farm, your finances, and your future! Tag a friend who should join you!
Join OSU Extension at the Small Farms Conference in Wooster, Ohio
Ohio State Extension announced plans to host a Small Farm Conference in Wooster, OH on March 8th. The theme for this year’s Small Farm Conference is “Sowing Seeds for Success.”
Conference session topics are geared to beginning and small farm owners as well as to farms looking to diversify their operations. There will be five different conference tracks including Horticulture and Crop Production, Business Management, Livestock, Natural Resources, and Diversifying Your Enterprise. Check out the official program guide here. Continue reading Join OSU Extension at the Small Farms Conference in Wooster, Ohio
Success Stories of Conservation program to be held February 20th
Ohio State University Extension and Northwest State Community College are partnering to provide a regional event focused on successful implementation of agricultural conservation practices, called “Success Stories of Conservation”. The event will feature farmers giving 5-minute “lightning talks” that will discuss how specific conservation practices have benefitted them on their operations, followed by a panel-type question and answer session. In addition, Dr. Jim Uphaus, Professor and Chair of the Agriculture program at Rhodes State College, and Dr. Vinayak Shedekar, Assistant Professor of Agriculture Water Management at The Ohio State University, will host breakout sessions focusing on the return on investment of conservation practices and the benefits of utilizing farm drainage, respectively. The event’s keynote speaker will be Greg LaBarge, Field Specialist in Agronomic Systems at The Ohio State University, discussing his research in the Powell Creek Watershed and what watershed-scale implementation of conservation practices can do. Continue reading Success Stories of Conservation program to be held February 20th
Join us next week for three ag-focused events!
Paulding County Extension is set to host THREE programs next week! Continue reading Join us next week for three ag-focused events!
Empowering Women in Agriculture: Join the Northwest Ohio Women in Agriculture Roundtable
The agricultural world is evolving, and women are at the forefront of these changes. Whether you are a farmer, agribusiness professional, farm wife, or simply a woman passionate about agriculture, the Northwest Ohio Women in Agriculture Roundtable invites you to connect, collaborate, and grow.
About the Program, The Paulding County Extension Office is proud to announce the launch of a new initiative: the Northwest Ohio Women in Agriculture Roundtable, a monthly event tailored to celebrate and support women in agriculture. This engaging series runs year-round, offering a unique platform for women farmers, ranchers, agribusiness professionals, and others in the agricultural community to come together. Continue reading Empowering Women in Agriculture: Join the Northwest Ohio Women in Agriculture Roundtable
Battle for the Belt – Is Corn or Soybean King hosted in Paulding County
Join us for the Battle for the Belt agronomy event in Paulding, Ohio, an exciting competition designed to showcase and enhance your skills in crop management and agronomy practices, including the hot topic of whether soybeans or corn are king. This regional OSU Extension program features Ohio State and field Extension specialists (Horacio Lopez-Nicora, Osler Ortez, and Laura Lindsey) who will address the question, “Is it better to plant corn or soybeans first?”
Participants will engage in hands-on activities, challenges, and educational sessions led by experts in the field. Speakers will provide valuable insights and data from two years of university research conducted at the OARDC research stations in Wood County, Clark County, and Wayne County as well as in county research during the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons. This event not only offers an opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in agronomy but also encourages friendly competition as participants vie for the coveted championship belt. Whether you are a seasoned farmer or new to the field, the Battle for the Belt promises to be an informative and entertaining experience that will elevate your agronomic knowledge and practices. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with fellow farmers and industry leaders while having fun!
- General Information: Pre-registration is preferred for food count for this event. Walk-ins are welcome but may be limited by no lunch option.
- Location: Paulding County Extension Office, 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding OH 45879
- Cost: Free
- Registration Information: RSVP by January 13. Limited seats for this meeting. Lunch included is provided with registration.
- Contact: Sarah Noggle, noggle.17@osu.edu, (419) 399-8225
- Registration Link: go.osu.edu/25BeltBattle
2024 Virtual Soil Health Tour
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.
Don’t forget to sign up for Paulding County Fertilizer and Pesticide Recertification on January 23
Farmers and agribusiness professionals are reminded to renew their Ohio Department of Agriculture private pesticide applicator license and private or commercial fertilizer license by the March 31, 2025, deadline. To assist with this process, the Ohio State University Extension in Paulding County will host its annual Fertilizer and Pesticide Recertification class on Thursday, January 23, 2025.
Noggle is reminding all that they must register online by January 17.
- Payment by debit or credit card is only available through online registration and cannot be processed in person at the office. If you choose to pay with a credit or debit card, the registration link will direct you to a separate site called “QuickPay” to complete the payment. You will need to provide an email address and also check your email for an access code to proceed with the transaction. Please note that the access code is valid for only 5 minutes.
- Pre-registration and pre-payment are required to ensure smooth check-in and prompt session starts. Register online at http://go.osu.edu/pauldingpatfert25
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.
Save the Date: CAP Field Day on August 28, 2024
CAP Field Day
Nutrient Management
August 28, 2024 5-8 pm
Location – Todd Hesterman Farm
R 802 Rt 109, Napoleon, Ohio 43545
No Cost to Attend, Meal Included, Registration needed by August 26
Contact Alansundermeier@gmail.com or call 419-261-0625
Join OABA for the 4R Technology Review Field Day on August 28
Education of audience on wagon
Article is taken from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-23/join-oaba-4r-technology-review-field-day-august-28 by Aaron Heilers
Ohio AgriBusiness Association invites you to attend the free 2024 4R Technology Review Field Day.
The OABA 4R Technology Review Field Day event will bring together experts in the field of agriculture technology and conservation to share their knowledge and best practices for implementing 4R nutrient management. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the latest technology and techniques in fertilizer management, precision agriculture, and soil health. This is a great opportunity to learn about the latest advances in agriculture and connect with industry experts.
Join OABA for a day of informative presentations, field demonstrations, and networking opportunities. This event is perfect for farmers, crop advisers, ag retailers, and anyone else interested in maximizing crop yield and improving the quality of Ohio’s waterways.
Six hours of Continuing Education Credits will be available for Certified Crop Advisers in attendance.
The event will take place August 28, 2024 at The Ohio State University Wooster Campus Secrest Aboretum, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH 44691. Please register online by clicking here.
Educational demonstrations and sessions for the day include:
- Suflur, phosphours, and nitrogen management
- Manure sensing equipment
- Drones in agriculture
- Best soil sampling practices