-Pressley Buurma, Ohio State University Extension in Seneca County, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

Are you interested in learning more about goat production? Join Ohio State University Extension Small Ruminant Team for the 2025 All About Goats! Webinar. This webinar series is going to answer producers burning questions concerning their own herd and help new producers become knowledgeable herdsman. Whether you raise goats for dairy, fiber or meat production or as pets- this webinar is for you! All youth livestock exhibitors are encouraged to attend.

The topics and dates for this series are as follows:

• September 22- Goat Health and Care
• October 6- Farm Business and Management
• October 20- Goat Processing
• November 3- Livestock Marketing
• November 17- Hay and Grain Production
• December 1- Coyote Management
• December 15- Open Forum: Ask Me Anything

The webinar is hosted via Zoom from 7-8 p.m. EST. Registration is required and can be completed by visiting go.osu.edu/allaboutgoats25

If you have any questions, please contact Pressley at 419-447-9722 or buurma.20@osu.edu

Register online at woodlandstewards.osu.edu

Fremont Vegetable

REGISTER ONLINE at go.osu.edu/fremont or call 614-247-9680

When and Where: Thursday, August 28
North Central Research Station
1165 Gonawein
(On OH 53 south of Fremont)
Fremont, Ohio 43420

Cost: Free

Time: 5:30-8pm

More information on flyer

This program is used to identify grower and researcher needs related to pathogen, insect, and weed control in the greenhouse and nursery industry. The results of this survey help IR-4 identify priorities and make funding decisions, so it is critical that stakeholders and researchers provide input. Do you have a certain product in mind? You can submit a request form to have that product researched. 

Learn more information, fill out the survey and access the product submittal form here

-Andres Sanabria-Velazquez, Vegetable Plant Pathologist- OSU

New downy mildew outbreaks have also been confirmed in Sandusky, Holmes, and Ashland counties, where diagnostic microscopy and spore‐trap monitoring detected abundant Pseudoperonospora cubensis sporangia in each area. In all three counties, plants showing the angular, vein‐limited chlorotic lesions typical of early infection, with sporulation readily visible on the underside of affected leaves during morning dew. Warm days followed by cool, humid nights over the past week have created ideal conditions for pathogen development and spread.

To limit further disease progression, initiate a protectant–curative fungicide rotation, for example alternating chlorothalonil (FRAC M05) or mancozeb (M03) with a systemic such as mandipropamid (FRAC 40) or cyazofamid (U8), and include oxathiapiprolin (FRAC 49) or a Zampro® (ametoctradin + dimethomorph, FRAC 40 + 45) treatment at least once per ten‐day cycle. Apply sprays preventively—before visible symptoms appear—and shorten intervals to seven days if nightly leaf wetness persists. Improve air movement by removing lower leaves and trellising vines to reduce canopy humidity, and humid-prone irrigation should be switched to drip systems or scheduled for early morning to allow foliage to dry quickly. Continue scouting every three to four days, removing and destroying any heavily diseased foliage, and disinfect tools and harvest equipment between fields to minimize local inoculum buildup and cross‐contamination.

Confirmed Downy Mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis) in Ohio Cucurbit Fields by County (July 2025)

First confirmation of Downy Mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis) in Sandusky County

Field view of a cucumber vine leaf exhibiting scattered, vein-confined chlorotic flecks characteristic of early downy mildew infection on the adaxial surface.

Free Sample Diagnosis 

Please consider submitting fresh or well-preserved samples to the Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic.

This process ensures that your management decisions, fungicide choice, cultural controls, resistant varieties, are based on precise diagnosis rather than assumption.

How to Submit:

1. Complete the online Plant Diagnostic Form:
   https://ppdc.osu.edu/forms/plant-diagnostic-form
2. Ship or deliver your samples according to the instructions on the form. Samples may be mailed:
   C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Plant Diagnostic Clinic
   Ohio State CFAES Wooster Campus
   c/o Dr. Francesca Rotondo
   234 Selby Hall, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH 44691
3. Samples may be hand-delivered:
   Requires coordination with Dr. Rotondo: (330-263-3721) | rotondo.11@osu.edu

Conducting a soil test is important whether you have garden, lawn, landscape or agricultural land. Ohio State University Extension in Seneca County is offering standard fertility soil test kits for $25! We will come out, sample your area, ship off the soil and interpret the results for you. Additional testing is available at a cost. If you are interested in getting a soil test, you can contact our office at 419-447-9722.

To register, visit: https://farmoffice.osu.edu/farmofficelive

Join experts from Ohio State University Extension on an educational pasture walk. During the walk, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about certain aspects of pasture management, forage identification, fencing and more. The walk will focus on plant identification, determining a good pasture management program for your herd and to help explain fencing options. This event is free and open to the public thanks to sponsorship from the Seneca County Cattleman’s Association. This program is best suited for farmers in North Western/North Central Ohio raising cattle or small ruminants. Registration is requested but not required at go.osu.edu/pasturewalk25 

For more information or with any questions, contact Pressley at buurma.20@osu.edu or 419-447-9722

Whether you raise meat goats, dairy goats or pets, practicing proper management is essential for a happy and healthy herd. Knowing the basics can prepare you or your youth exhibitors for their fair project and help advanced herdsmen maintain their herd. Throughout this presentation, experts will explain the differences and similarities between Dairy and Meat Goat care and share some tips and tricks for your herd. Management includes more than just the equipment and feed; management encompasses everything related to raising goats.

Interested in learning more? Want to join us live? We will have our All About Goats! 2025 Fall webinar series starting in September. You can find more information here. Registration is required and can be completed by visiting go.osu.edu/allaboutgoats25

-Bradford Sherman, Program Assistant OSU South Centers

Aquaponics/Aquaculture Boot Camp (ABC)

Coming to Ohio in October, Applications being accepted for this FREE learning opportunity

Tap or click here to apply or learn more

Aquaponics/Aquaculture Boot Camp will train participants to become aqua-farmers as part of a one-year program that includes online, classroom, and field training paired with mentoring from some of the industry’s top leaders. Graduates will have the knowledge and hands-on experience to successfully operate an aquaponics or aquaculture operation.

Intensive educational experience includes:

• 12 one-day training sessions held the second Saturday of each month (Oct. 2025 – Sept. 2026).
• Registration (ABC-funded) for the 2026 Ohio Aquaculture Conference.
• An Aquaculture Bus Tour of Aquafarms.
• Relevant assignments to support learning between sessions.

Need-to-know:

• This program is FREE for accepted applicants.
• Participants learn aquaponics and aquaculture production, business planning, and marketing.
• Learning is supported in online and onsite environments.
• Instructors consist of college and university educators, government specialists, business professionals, and experienced aqua-producers.
• To graduate, program participants agree to attend at least 8 of the 12 monthly sessions, the annual aquaculture conference, and the bus tour. 
• Most activities are on Saturdays, lunch will be provided

IMPORTANT DATES

September 5, 2025: Application deadline

September 15, 2025: Applicant notified of acceptance

February 10, 2024: Welcome session at OSU South Centers, Piketon, Ohio

ABC 3 flyer final