June 30, 2010 is the scholarship application deadline. Young persons attending or ready to attend college who are sheep producers are invited to apply. This $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually as a memoral to Ralph H. Grimshaw. For more information call the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association at 614-246-8299 or download the application at www.ohiosheep.org.
Ten Agricultural Publications
Quickly learn about ten popular agricultural publications including Farm and Dairy, Fruit Growers News, Ohio Farmer, Vegetable Growers News, Agricultural Outlook. Preview them all on one site to see if any could be useful to you as you learn more about farming. Ohio Farm Bureau Federation posts info on theses resources at http://ofbf.org/news-and-events/resources/
Family Farm Field Day, July 17, 2010
Join the demonstrations, discussion sessions, and vendor shows of this educational field day for grass-based agriculture. Held in Fredericksburg, Wayne Co., OH from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Four activity tracks: Grazing; Farmstead; Homestead; Natural Resources; Children. Demonstrations include low-cost bio-digester and European style scythe. Brochure at http://smallfarminstitute.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/2010-fffd-brochure.pdf or call Small Farm Institute at 740-545-6349.
Basic of Selling Timber Workshop – February 20, 2010 in Zanesville
The Ohio Woodland Stewards Program, sponsored by OSU Extension and in cooperation with Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry, will discuss the steps of successful timber sale – sales that get competitive price and meet woodland management goals. CEU credit awarded for the Ohio Forest Tax Law Program. Online registration at http://woodlandstewards.osu.edu, or call 614-688-3421 or e-mail ohiowoods@osu.edu.
The Ohio Woodland Stewards Program helps landowners make well-informed forest-management decisions that contribute to healthier forests.
Workshop Series Near Youngstown, February 2010
If you want to learn about plot design for urban and rural farms and related information on integrated pest management (Feb 8th) or about starting and tranplanting seedlings (Feb 9th) or basic botany (Feb 16th) or season extension (Feb 17th) or direct marketing (Feb 22nd) or native and invasive plants (Feb 23rd) check out workshops sponsored by Common Ground Church in North Lima, OH and delivered by experts either from OSU/OARDC Wooster, Mill Creek MetroParks, or area farms. $15 donation per workshop. For information go to www.goodnessgrows.net or meagan@goodnessgrows.net or 330-549-9408.
Grow and Know 2010 Announced by Ohio Farm Bureau
City and rural residents alike are invited by OFBF to get in touch with their inner-farmer and to make the most of their property through 1-5 educational workshops on farms and agricultural sites throughout Ohio. April 17 at Malabar Farm (Lucas): Farming on Five to Fifty; May 22 at Bob Evans Farm (Rio Grande): Solutions to Pestering Problems; June 5 at Franklin Park Conservatory (Columbus): Growing Your Own Food & Going Green; October 23 at Lake Metroparks Farmpark (Kirtland): What to Do in Winter; and November 7 at Woodhaven Farm (Johnstown): Know Place Like Home for the Holidays (hands-on cooking and more). For more information go to http://ofbf.org/news-and-events/news/607/
Review Conservation Program Enrollment Trends by Targeted Farmers, Including Beginning Operators
The USDA Economic Research Service recently released a 41pp Information Bulletin that compares the natural resource characteristics, resource issues, and conservation treatment costs on farms operated by beginning, limited-resource, and socially disadvantaged operators with those of other participants in the largest U.S. working-lands and land retirement conservation programs. A report summary and the entire report is available at http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/eib62/
Season Extension and Thermal Banking Greenhouses
A video description by a Minnesota farmer is available to introduce you to thermal banking (the storage of heat that accumulates during the daytime, especially on sunny days) as a heat source to keep greenhouse beds warm during cold periods. Funding by a SARE Farmer-Rancher Grant, Steven Schwen is in the beginning phases of his project. Go to http://www.sare.org/publications/fromthefield_schwen1.htm
Urban Farming Initiative
An intensive urban farm management program for new and emerging farmers in the Akron, Summit County and nearby areas begins March 11 and continues through April 22, 2010 (7 Thursday evenings, 6-9 pm) at an Akron TBA location. Mini-grants may be available to participants to assist with future urban farming ventures. Cost is $125 (individual) or $175 (couple) for Summit County residents and $250 for others. For information contact Denise Ellsworth at ellsworth.2@osu.edu or call her at 330-928-4769.
Stay Aware of Farm Loan Rates
Farm Credit Services of Mid-America posts interest rates for Farm Land; Operations; Equipment; and Livestock, Improvements and Facilities. The rates can change daily and are quoted for loans $25,000 or greater (for smaller loans, rates are slightly higher). If you are shopping for loans check out http://www.e-farmcredit.com/TodaysRates/FarmRates/tabid/243/Default.aspx