Growers of organic produce or those interested in organic varieties and production are welcome to join the Ohio Organic Farmer Researcher Network for their monthly online meeting on Thursday, January 5 at noon. We have selected a small but varied panel of Ohio produce professionals to discuss their variety selection process and priorities, some of their best and worst experiences, and how their choices relate to marketing, labor, and other concerns. Panelist Q&A will be followed by farmer-led discussion about what motivates us to choose certain seeds varieties and how we decide where/how to source them. The primary focus will be on organic vegetable varieties that perform well in Ohio.

Connection details are available at https://offer.osu.edu/events/organic-farmer-researcher-network-january-meeting. Sign up for reminders and future meeting notices by emailing Cassy Brown.

The Ohio Organic Farmer Researcher Network is a growing group of organic and transitioning farmers, agricultural professionals, and researchers who meet regularly to discuss emerging issues, possible projects, and recent or ongoing research. Our group’s organization is a cooperative effort of OEFFA, Ohio State, and Central State universities.

Farmers, educators, researchers, and other interested individuals are welcome to join us on the first Thursday of each month to discuss a variety of topics related to organic production research.

The Federal Communications Commission recently released new broadband maps that will be used to determine the amount of funding Ohio will receive to expand broadband access throughout the state via BEAD (the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program).

To improve the maps and ensure Ohio receives as much support as possible, we need your help!

By Jan. 13, 2023, we need as many Ohioans as possible to check the federal maps, and if there is an inconsistency about their local internet availability, submit supporting information online.

To participate:

1. Search for your address at broadbandmap.fcc.gov
2. Click on settings wheel and make sure ‘All wired and licensed fixed wireless’ is selected under Technology
3. Is the location status correct? if not, click on ‘Location Change”
4. Can the listed service providers deliver at the internet speed displayed? If not, click ‘Availability Change’

If there are any questions about this effort, please contact David Civittolo, Ohio State University Extension interim assistant director for community development, at civittolo.1@osu.edu. Thank you for helping us bring high-speed internet to all Ohioans.

Spotted-wing Drosophila is an invasive pest Ohio strawberry, peach, bramble and blue berry growers have been forced to deal with since 2011. This SWD team webinar will review the most recent information and tools for managing this pest. See details below.

We are excited to announce the 2022 SCRI NIFA Spotted-Wing Drosophila Management Team Webinar on Thursday, December 8^th, 2022 at 12:00pm EST. This one hour webinar, titled “Advances in Behavior-Based Tactics for Management of Spotted-Wing Drosophila” will focus on behavioral control with a brief update on biological control. Researchers will present recent findings as well as highlight recent advancements in behavior-based strategies to control spotted-wing drosophila.

To register for this webinar, please follow this link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WSqvqIkESmWY0Lv_p40Oig

SWD webinar details