OSU Extension is hosting a free Zoom for 4-H members and families on February 19 from 6:30-8:00 pm.
The focus will be on Dairy Beef Feeders 101 – Calf Health, Nutrition, Economics. What a great opportunity to learn more about raising dairy feeders and talk to the specialists!
The Zoom will be hosted by Garth Ruff and Jason Hartshuh
Congratulations Jeremy Barth and Washington County Carteens! We are ecstatic to announce Jeremy was selected as a 2025 recipient of the Ohio 4-H Alumni Award! This award is given annually to 4-H adult volunteers for years of county service.The Marietta Applebees hosted Washington County 4-H for a recent fundraiser. Thanks everyone that participated and supported the event. We have heard that Applebees will be making a donation of $210.31 to the Washington County 4-H Advisory Committee
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 operation. There will be five different conference tracks including: Horticulture and Crop Production, Business Management, Livestock, Natural Resources and Diversifying Your Enterprise.
Some conference topic highlights include: Growing in a Hoophouse, Integrated Disease Management Strategies for Apple and Peaches, High Tunnel Tour, Using Cover Crops for Soil Regeneration, Creating Habitat for Beneficial Insects on the Farm, Growing Microgreens, Money to Grow: Grants 101, Growing Your Farm With Agritourism, Navigating Licenses/Certificates for your Small Farm Market, How Can Value – Added Help Your Farm, Vaccination Programs for a Small Farm, Grassfed Beef Tour.
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 operation. The conference provides an opportunity to talk with the vendors and network with others.
The Conference will take place from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Ohio State University Wooster Campus Shisler Conference Center, 1680 Madison Ave, Wooster, Ohio 44691.
For conference and registration information call OSU Extension Morrow County 419-947-1070, or OSU Extension Knox County 740-397-0401. Please follow this link to register for the conference: https://Go.osu.edu/2025smallfarmconference
Frequently Asked Questions:
Question 3) Do feeder calves and lactating cattle have to meet the same drug residue or withdrawal times as market class animals?
Yes. All livestock shall be exhibition drug residue legal (EDRL) prior to the start of the show in which the livestock is entered into for exhibition. This means that drugs, including but
not limited to, pain killers, steroids, antibiotics, dewormers, and vaccines, must have met withdrawal times and tolerance by time of show to be eligible. This will require responsible use,
recordkeeping, and stewardship of drugs and quality assurance on behalf of the veterinarian and exhibitor. ODA expects exhibitors to maintain the highest ethical standards when
completing drug use notification forms to ensure that drugs and treatments are properly disclosed and to ensure exhibition livestock maintain EDRL status at time of show.
Dr. Dennis Summers, State Veterinarian and Animal Health Division Chief
Applebees 4-H Fundraiser
When: Tuesday, January 28
Time: All day! (on takeout orders too)
Where: Marietta Applebees
What: For your order to count toward the fundraiser you must show the 4-H flyer to the server or mention the fundraiser while order by phone.
Applebees Flier: Wash Co 4-H Flyer
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, January 28 and stop in for dinner. The Washington County 4-H Advisory Committee will receive 25% of your order to support local 4-H efforts.
This event will run all day and the Washington County 4-H Advisory Committee Members and 4-H members will be present to greet guests between 4 – 8 pm
Rising HPAI Cases in Ohio: A Critical Reminder of Biosecurity Measures
As cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continue to rise in Ohio, the poultry industry faces increasing challenges in protecting flocks from this highly contagious and deadly virus. In recent weeks/days, several commercial poultry farms have reported confirmed HPAI detections, underscoring the urgent need for heightened vigilance across the state.
HPAI poses a serious threat to both poultry health and the economy, with the potential to cause devastating losses in infected flocks. The virus spreads rapidly through direct contact with infected birds or contaminated materials, such as feed, equipment, and even personnel.
Biosecurity Remains Key to Protection
The importance of robust biosecurity protocols cannot be overstated. These measures, designed to prevent the introduction and spread of disease, are the first line of defense in safeguarding poultry populations. Poultry owners must be proactive in enforcing strict biosecurity practices on their farms, including:
As Ohio’s poultry industry continues to battle the spread of HPAI, it is crucial that all poultry producers, large and small, review their efforts in maintaining these essential biosecurity measures. The risks associated with HPAI are significant, but through vigilance, preparedness, and collaboration, we can work to protect Ohio’s poultry industry and mitigate the broader impact of this disease.
Stay informed, stay prepared, and prioritize biosecurity on your farm. Every step taken today can help prevent the spread of HPAI tomorrow.
A recent webinar on Backyard Flock Biosecurity was presented and is now available. OPA partnered with Ohio Department of Agriculture and Ohio state University Extension to go over an HPAI update, signs and symptoms of AI and biosecurity tips for your flock. If you missed the webinar, you may watch the recording at the link below.
Recording Link:
Passcode: V!8BYZ=H
Frequently Asked Question:
Question 2) What is Exhibition Drug Residue legal?
All livestock shall be exhibition drug residue legal (EDRL) prior to the start of the show in which the livestock is entered into for exhibition. This includes market, non-terminal, open, and breeding classes. This means that all exhibition livestock:
• must be slaughter eligible at time of show;
• have only been administered an approved drug, for which the withdrawal time has elapsed and met tolerance;
• have not been administered an unapproved drug;
• do not contain an unlawful substance.
Dr. Dennis Summers, State Veterinarian and Animal Health Division Chief
Athens County is hosting the 2025 Home Garden Trials. It’s hard to believe that it’s already time to start ordering seeds. The trials are open to any home gardener in the state of Ohio. This means you and all of your friends. This is the seventh year of the trials and we have some exciting news. We have brought back a cut flower trial, a herb trial, and a youth trial (to get the kids excited about gardening). We’ve been listening to feedback and this year we’ve added lots of varieties that can be grown in containers.
The purpose of the trials is to have gardeners grow 2 varieties of a vegetable or flower side-by-side and then give us their feedback through our online reporting site. To learn more d
etails about the trials, you can visit the Trials Home Page
There are a total of 13 trials this year. You can select to do from one to five vegetable trials plus the flower, herb, and youth trials. Community Gardens can choose to do all 13, if they would like. The cost of each trial is $3 plus shipping. If you pick up your order at the local Extension Office, there are reduced shipping charges. To see a description of this year’s trials AND to place your order for this year, visit the 2025 Trials Home. The deadline to order is Feb. 16 for guaranteed seeds or March 2 for remaining seeds.
The seeds for this year’s trials have been donated by Rupp Seed.
This year we have:
Cool Season veggies
Warm Season Vegetables
Flowers
Herbs
Youth
Charlotte Wagner’s family presented her with a check for Christmas that will be donated to the Charlotte Wagner 4-H Camp Scholarship Fund. These funds help send campers and counselors to 4-H Summer Camps! Thanks Sharon, Kristen, Haley, Kaitlyn, Marla, and McKessen for this wonderful donation!
Charlotte continues to serve as a volunteer with the Lowell Lassies and Lads celebrating her 79th years as a Washington County 4-H Volunteer.