Natural Resource Management

April 10th Public Meeting – Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production

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The ninth public meeting of the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee will be held April 10, 2024, 2 PM – 4 PM ET. The public may attend via Zoom with advanced registration (see link below). Written comments will be accepted via email (UrbanAgricultureFederalAdvisoryCommittee@usda.gov) until April 24, 2024 and will be shared with Committee members for consideration. The final agenda will be posted below at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

 

The Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee (UAIPAC) is one of several ways that USDA is extending support and building frameworks to support urban agriculture, including issues of equity, climate resilience and nutrition access.

For more information, please read the Fact Sheet: Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production.

 

2024 Warner Grants for Sustainable Agriculture RFP Released – Deadline March 31st!

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Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Warner On-Farm Research Grant program, which is administered by the Agroecosystem Management Program (AMP) in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

The Warner grants are funded from an endowment created by Paul C. and Edna H. Warner, and provide up to $5,000 to support collaborative on-farm research that advance sustainable agriculture.  Applicants need to include at least 1 farmer and 1 OSU researcher or extension educator.

For more information about the Warner Grants visit Funding Opportunities: Warner Grants for Sustainable Agriculture.

To see past Warner Grant projects and read their reports visit Past Warner Grant Reports.

Please reach out to Cuyahoga County ANR Educator Morning Robinson at robinson.2024@osu.edu, or at 216-429-8203.

The C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic: a resource for dealing with plant and pests related issues.

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With this Bygl Alert we would like to give an overview of the diagnostic services offered by the C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic.

The C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (PPDC) moved to The CFAES Wooster Campus about a year ago. We are located at the OSU CFAES Wooster Campus on the second floor (Selby Hall, room 234) of the Department of Plant Pathology. We continue to provide diagnostic services and support for plant and pest-related problems for a wide range of stakeholders (agricultural/green industries, growers and agribusinesses, health care professionals and the general public).

View full article at –>> http://bygl.osu.edu/index.php/node/2303

Sacred Grounds™ Cleveland Mini-Grant Application is Live!

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Sacred Grounds™ is a National Wildlife Federation program that recognizes congregations, houses of worship, and faith communities who both create wildlife habitat and actively link faith practices and caring for the environment. The organization works alongside local partners to assist houses of workshop and their communities with project planning and technical expertise to increase native plant gardens.

Sacred Grounds™ is providing $1,500 mini-grants to faith communities toward installing native plant gardens, wildlife habitats, and earth stewardship projects to engage congregations and communities while increasing access to green spaces. To learn more about the mini grant, including eligibility, program details and deadlines please visit the LINK.

 

 

Urban Agriculture Webinar Series, starting Wednesday January 10th!

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Do you grow vegetables in an urban or suburban community?  Do you help others grow vegetables in an urban or suburban community?  If so, this series will be of great interest.  Please join us for a free webinar series on topics related to Urban Agriculture Integrated Pest Management.  If you cannot join live at the scheduled times, no problem!  The registration provides an option to request the recordings.  You may register anytime up to January 24th to receive the recordings.

Register HERE.

Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council Annual Meeting: February 9th, 2024!

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The 2024 OFGC Annual Meeting that will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Deerassic Park Education Center in Cambridge, Ohio,  is your opportunity to connect with other members of the council, learn about new developments in forage production and grassland ecosystems, review accomplishments of the organization and council members, vote on nominations to the Board of Directors,  and to contribute to the coming year’s activities. Registration cost will be $40 per person for OFGC or any state affiliate AFGC members and $75 per person for nonmembers (this fee includes membership as well as event registration). OFGC Membership cost remains at $35 per year.

Visit the LINK to learn more about this year’s meeting, registration, or for more information about the Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council.

USDA Updates Plant Hardiness Zone Map in 2023

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released a new version of its Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PHZM), updating this valuable tool for gardeners and researchers for the first time since 2012. USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The new map—jointly developed by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Oregon State University’s (OSU) PRISM Climate Group—is more accurate and contains greater detail than prior versions.

It is available online at https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/. In addition to the map updates, the Plant Hardiness Zone Map website was expanded in 2023 to include a “Tips for Growers” section, which provides information about USDA ARS research programs of interest to gardeners and others who grow and breed plants.

Spotted Lanternfly Fall Update

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In the wake of numerous  reports of spotted lanternfly, OSU Extension encourages  individuals who have suspected SLF sightings to to report their findings either using the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) online reporting form, or the Great Lakes Early Detection Network (GLEDN) App. If using a computer, the EDD MapS is another option for reporting.

For more information, please read:

ODA, August Press Release

PennState Extension factsheet

Community Soil Health Education and Testing

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Join OSU Extension Cuyahoga County and Summit County to learn how to test your soil. Urban soils can be a source of food production, environmental resilience, and community beautification but may require revitalization to provide these benefits. Most urban soils do not have harmful levels of contaminants; however, they should be tested as a precaution. A soil test can also give you information about soil fertility. OSU Extension Educator Maggie Riviera will discuss why it is important to test our soil and how to take a soil sample and submit it to a lab.

Click HERE to register.

After you learn how to take the test, bring your sample to the Cuyahoga County Office to have it sent to OSU’s Soil Lab. The cost of this service is $35 per sample. This includes nutrient analysis, organic matter, and heavy metals screening. Results are expected to be returned by November 17th. You will receive a results printout and be contacted by the ANR Educator to discuss your results.

Sample Drop-off Information:

Cuyahoga County Extension: 12200 Fairhill Rd., Cleveland, OH 44120

Wednesday, October 11th and 18th

9:00am to 3:30pm

Call 216-429-8203 if you have any questions.