Country Life

The United States and Japan have reached a trade agreement on agricultural and industrial tariffs and digital commerce, signed by President Trump and Japanese Prime Minster Abe Sept. 25.

Under the agreement, Japan will place the same level of agricultural tariffs on U.S. goods as it places on other countries through trade agreements. By way of example, the 38.5% tariff on U.S. beef will fall to the 26% placed on beef from Australia, Canada and the European Union. Some other foods such as duck, geese, turkey peaches, melons and more would enter duty-free.

“Japan is a top export destination for Ohio grains and meat and we are encouraged that a deal has been made to expand access to their market,” said Jon Miller, president of the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association. “Japan is also an important market for future ethanol exports and we look forward to providing them a clean-burning, high-octane fuel.”… Continue reading

The State Controlling Board has approved the release of $584,186 for work at Grand Lake St. Marys, State Representative Susan Manchester (R-Lakeview) announced.

The funding is being used to contract with DLZ Ohio to provide design and construction administration services for rehabilitation of the west dam embankment, located near Celina. The contract also calls for an engineering assessment of the east dam spillway, located near St. Marys.

“I appreciate the support of the State Controlling Board for these important projects,” Rep. Manchester said. “Grand Lake St. Marys is a signature of the 84th District and valuable to our local economy. It is imperative that we continue to strive to address the state of the watershed with hope of restoration. Rehabilitation projects, such as the DLZ Ohio contract, support jobs, tourism and recreation.”

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the scope of work at the west dam embankment will include embankment fill placement, grading, tree removal, utility decommissioning and/or relocation, construction debris removal, topsoil placement and vegetation establishment.… Continue reading

Ohio House of Representatives District 38 Representative Bill Roemer (R) visited Hills Supply on Sept. 9, 2019 to present a commendation recognizing the 40^th anniversary of Hills Supply. The proclamation reads:

On behalf of the House of Representatives of the 133 General Assembly of Ohio, we are pleased to extend special recognition to: Hills Supply, Inc. on the auspicious occasion of its Fortieth Anniversary.

Hills Supply is deserving of high praise, for throughout forty years of operation, it has attained a remarkable record of accomplishment. This exemplary dairy supply company has earned the gratitude and appreciation of many satisfied customers, and its success is a justifiable source of pride and a fine reflection not only on the business itself but also on the astute management of its owners Frank Burkett and Mick Heiby, on its hard-working employees, and on the Canal Fulton community.

Since its establishment in 1979, Hills Supply has enhanced the quality of life within the surrounding area.… Continue reading

Bob Udeck gingerly uses his hands and feet to slowly steer his four-wheeled walker carefully through the dirt- and grass-covered field, adeptly maneuvering through the ruts, divets, mounds of dirt, rocks, and plants that line the path leading to the Heroes Garden.

The 74-year-old Vietnam veteran pulls up to a section of raised garden beds filled with rows of radish and pepper plants and smiles as he admires his handy work. Many of the plants have already begun bearing fruit, some of which were ripe and ready for picking.

“I used to farm when I was younger,” Udeck said, as he wistfully looked out over the plot that houses the Veteran Farming Program. “It feels really good to get your hands dirty again — planting something, nurturing it, and watching it produce.

“Not only does this garden keep me active, it’s also therapeutic — it keeps your mind busy, gets you outside, gives you a goal, and something to focus on.… Continue reading

By Leisa Boley Hellwarth, a dairy farmer and attorney near Celina

The very first real estate closing I attended for a client was over 25 years ago. I was fresh out of law school, and a friend of mine, who was a cosmetics sales associate at Marshall Field’s, was purchasing her first house. It was what lawyers refer to as a “roundtable closing” which meant that the buyer, the seller, their realtors and their lawyers all met around a conference table and signed documents and transferred payment. This event is forever embedded in my memory because, as a new lawyer, I proudly showed up in a nice dark suit. And literally every other person, which was notable because it was all female, was wearing a floral dress and lots of fragrance. Just thinking about it makes my sinuses hurt.

The closing went off without a hitch. But less than 24 hours later, my client was mad, really mad.… Continue reading

By Kolt Buchenroth, Ohio Ag Net

It is so easy to put off tough questions about family farm transitions from one generation to the next, but those discussions are important to have before it is too late. Jolene Brown spoke at yesterday’s Farm Science Review (and will be talking at the event again today) about the importance of these  conversations prior to the trip to the funeral home.

“Everyone knows brothers and sisters or aunts and uncles or other people who aren’t talking to each other. That’s because people didn’t do things when the times were good to have the tools and means in place when we get tested. Then, because they don’t have things clarified in writing and because they didn’t operate like a business, we have this big explosion on the way to the funeral home,” Brown said.

Brown is a professional farm speaker and writes a column for Successful Farming and Pink Tractor.  … Continue reading

By Evin Bachelor, Law Fellow, Ohio State University Extension Agricultural & Resource Law Program

A proposed county charter for Williams County, Ohio containing language similar to the Lake Erie Bill of Rights may not make it on the November ballot. The Ohio Supreme Court recently refused to compel the Williams County Board of Elections (BOE) to include the charter on the ballot for procedural reasons.

The charter would have declared that the people of Williams County have the right to a healthy environment and sustainable community, and that the Michindoh Aquifer and its ecosystem have the right to exist, flourish, evolve, regenerate. Further, the aquifer would have the right of restoration, recovery, and preservation, including the right to be free from interferences such as the extraction, sale, lease, transportation, or distribution of water outside of the aquifer’s boundary.

Even though the petition to put the charter on the ballot had enough signatures, the BOE believed that the language of the charter violated Ohio law, and therefore exercised its power to reject the petition and keep it off the ballot.… Continue reading

If you are heading down to the 37th Annual Farm Science Review, listen to the Agronomy and Farm Management Podcast on the way! We interviewed the FSR manager, Nick Zachrich, about what is new this year and also talked to the farm manager, Nate Douridas, on what will be featured in the field demonstrations. You can also learn about all the areas where Extension brings you resources, presentations, demos and more. Check it out https://agcrops.osu.edu/video/agronomy-and-farm-management-podcast.… Continue reading

With school back in session and families establishing new routines, EGGsperts from some of the nation’s top egg farming states, including the Ohio Egg Marketing Program, and top food bloggers have come together to share easy, kid-friendly dinner recipes to keep weeknights stress-free. Dish on Eggs offers 24 simple dinner recipes, starring the incredible egg, that are sure to please even the pickiest eaters. As part of the campaign, consumers can also enter to win a free year’s supply of eggs and download a free e-cookbook at www.DishOnEggs.com.

“Using eggs to make dinner on school nights is a smart choice because of their extreme versatility,” said Jim Chakeres, executive vice president of the Ohio Egg Marketing Program. “Eggs are easy to make and are the perfect addition to dozens of favorite kids’ recipes like the pizza and tacos featured by Dish on Eggs.”

Participating organizations in the back-to-school recipe exchange include: the Ohio Egg Marketing Program (OH), Iowa Egg Council (IA), Pacific Egg and Poultry Association (CA), North Carolina Egg Association (NC), Virginia Egg Council (VA), Chicken & Egg Association of Minnesota (MN), Michigan Allied Poultry Industries (MI), and the Colorado Egg Producers (CO).… Continue reading

The Ohio Farm Bureau Young Agricultural Professionals program recently announced award winners for their 2019 contests. Program participants are ages 18 to 35, single or married, who are interested in improving the business of agriculture, learning new ideas and developing leadership skills.

Matt Vodraska of Doylestown has been named the winner of Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s 2019 Outstanding Young Farmer Award. In addition, Kyle and Ashton Walls of Mt. Vernon have been named winners of Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s 2019 Excellence in Agriculture Award.

The Outstanding Young Farmer contest is designed to help young farmers strengthen their business skills, develop marketing opportunities and receive recognition for their accomplishments. Contestants are judged on the growth of their farm businesses and involvement in Farm Bureau and their community.

Vodraska won 250 hours free use of an M-series tractor provided by Kubota, $1,000 in Grainger merchandise sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America and an expense-paid trip to the 2020 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in Austin, Texas, in January where he will participate in the national competition.… Continue reading

By Dusty Sonnenberg, Ohio Field Leader

The extensive prevented planting acres in Ohio and limited yield potential for many acres of late-planted crops have generated plenty of discussion about the impact to farmers, agribusiness, and rural communities.

United States Congressman Bob Latta represents the largest farm-income producing district in Ohio and recently participated in a listening session with farmers and agribusiness people in Williams County to learn about the details of the situation.

“Everyone in the chain is going to be impacted, such as the folks that sell the seed, fertilizer, herbicide, equipment parts. There is a whole line of people besides the farmers who will feel the impact,” Latta said. “It is really important that I hear from the farmers. This thing hasn’t really hit hard yet. I think people are going to start to feel it in about two more months. The farmers see it right now.

“I can’t tell you how many calls I have had with the undersecretary of agriculture to explain what’s happening here and keeping him updated, making sure his department was aware of just how bad it really is here in Northwest Ohio.… Continue reading

By Mike Ryan, OCJ field reporter

What began as a successful, influential Ohio politician and businessman’s 140-acre rural retreat has grown over the past century to become a nearly 2,000 acre preserve highlighting a unique array of plant life at The Dawes Arboretum in Licking County.

Beman Dawes and his wife, Bertie, first purchased the original tract in 1917. By 1929, when Dawes Arboretum was established, the grounds had doubled in size and over 50,000 trees had been planted. In present times, the immense arboretum, home to an enormous index of different plant species, is one of only 20 fully accredited arboretums in North America.

The Dawes family obtained trees from across the globe that could thrive in central Ohio and planted them around the property. They established the arboretum to both educate and inspire.

When Beman and Bertie created the private foundation, they wanted “to encourage the planting of forest and ornamental trees…to give pleasure to the public and education to the youth.”… Continue reading

U.S. agriculture is making a big push to encourage Congress to move forward with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Adopted to upgrade the North American Free Trade Agreement, USMCA was signed on Nov. 30, 2018. Mexico’s Senate ratified the trade deal in June, but legislation for USMCA has not been introduced in the United States Congress or in Canada. On Sept. 12, Farmers for Free Trade, Farm Bureau, American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers, US Apple Association, National Milk Producers Federation, U.S. Dairy Export Council, Corn Refiners Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. and other American agriculture leaders joined with bipartisan members of Congress to rally for USMCA passage that is viewed as essential by much of agriculture.

“We need Congress to pass the USMCA trade agreement to bring certainty to our already-positive trade relationship with our closest neighbors and build on that relationship with new opportunities and commitments.… Continue reading

By Zach Parrott, OCJ field reporter

The Ohio State University Extension Office in Seneca County recently established the nation’s first Agricultural Exploring Post.

Exploring is a youth organization, serving 110,00 youth with the goal of teaching important life and career skills to young people from all backgrounds through immersive career experiences. Matt Kibler runs the Exploring program in 13 Ohio counties for the Black Swamp Area Council.

“The agricultural program is unique, because we are going to be taking students around Seneca County and neighboring counties to give them a hands-on experience in farm management,” Kibler said. “This also includes: soil and water conservation, aerial spraying or application, and the financial aspect of running a farm.”

Businesses including Kalmbach Feeds, POET, Sunrise Cooperative, The Mennel Milling Company, Ag Credit, Sunrise Cooperative, Andersons, ST Genetics, and USDA Farm Service Agency are all involved in teaching these young students how to budget and manage a farm.… Continue reading

Presented by Nationwide, the Ohio FFA and the Ohio Farm Bureau, the Golden Owl Award recognizes agricultural educators across Ohio for their tremendous contributions to helping the next generation of agricultural leaders. Students, fellow teachers and other supporters can nominate their favorite agricultural teacher and summarize what makes him or her the best in the state.

Nominees have an opportunity to win great cash prizes and the distinction of being Ohio’s Agricultural Educator of the Year. Prizes include:

• $500 and an engraved plaque for each of the 10 honorees
• $3,000 for the Golden Owl Award winner (Ohio Agricultural Educator of the Year).

To nominate someone for the Golden Owl Award visit pages-nationwide.com/OWL_2019/. This year’s nominations must be submitted by Nov. 16, 2019.

John Poulson, a local agriculture teacher at Pettisville High School in Fulton County was honored as the 2018-2019 Ohio Ag Educator of the Year presented by the inaugural Golden Owl Award.… Continue reading

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced this week that agricultural producers affected by natural disasters in 2018 and 2019, including Hurricane Dorian, can apply for assistance through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+). Signup for this U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program begins Sept. 11, 2019.

“U.S. agriculture has been dealt a hefty blow by extreme weather over the last several years, and 2019 is no exception,” Perdue said. “The scope of this year’s prevented planting alone is devastating, and although these disaster program benefits will not make producers whole, we hope the assistance will ease some of the financial strain farmers, ranchers and their families are experiencing.”

More than $3 billion is available through the disaster relief package passed by Congress and signed by President Trump in early June. WHIP+ builds on the successes of its predecessor program the 2017 Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program (2017 WHIP) that was authorized by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018.… Continue reading

Looking for a job in agriculture?

Come to Farm Science Review and you just might find one.

For the first time, the annual agricultural trade show, sponsored by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), will offer the Career Exploration Fair for anyone interested in working in agriculture.

On Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon, visitors to the career fair can discuss jobs and internships with representatives from a variety of companies, many of them exhibitors at FSR, which is held at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center near London, Ohio.

“With the hundreds of exhibiting companies, it’s a great place to look for another job or new career,” said Nick Zachrich, manager of FSR.

At a financially challenging time for many farmers, the career fair could offer a boost for individuals seeking additional work opportunities in agriculture.

“There are jobs available and people looking for jobs,” Zachrich said.… Continue reading

Twenty Ohio Farm Bureau leaders are serving on the 2019 Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Policy Development Committee. The committee collects and organizes public policy recommendations from county Farm Bureaus and presents the final policy suggestions to be voted on by Ohio Farm Bureau’s delegates during the state annual meeting in December.

In its initial session, the committee heard from government leaders, subject matter experts and Farm Bureau staff on topics such as climate change, mental health, water quality initiatives, farm leases, trade, risk management, foreign ownership in U.S. agriculture, education, school funding and rural broadband.

The policy committee consists of 10 members from Ohio Farm Bureau’s board of trustees and 10 representatives of county Farm Bureaus.

The committee is chaired by Ohio Farm Bureau First Vice President Bill Patterson of Chesterland and includes OFBF President Frank Burkett III of Massillon and Treasurer Cy Prettyman of New Bloomington. State trustees on the committee are Matt Bell of Zanesville, Mike Bensman of Sidney, Mike Boyert of Seville, Jenny Cox of Dresden, Paul Harrison of Fostoria, Rose Hartschuh of Sycamore and Chris Weaver of Lyons.… Continue reading

By Evin Bachelor, Law Fellow, Ohio State University Extension Agricultural & Resource Law Program

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) says that it has found a number of inefficiencies in the H-2A temporary agricultural labor visa program, and the department has a solution: change the program’s rules. The DOL has proposed a number of administrative rule changes that it believes will make the approval process move along quicker, relieve burdens on U.S. farms, and create a more level playing field with regards to pay. Before we talk about the rule changes, let’s recap what the H-2A program is.

H-2A is a visa program for seasonal agricultural laborers from other countries

Labor shortages have plagued farms across the United States for decades. Congress first created a visa program for non-immigrant labor in the early 1950s, but it wasn’t until 1986 that Congress established the H-2A visa program for temporary agricultural workers.… Continue reading

A decision has been made by the BioHio Board of Directors to transition the work of the BioHio Research Park, an affiliate of The Ohio State University, in Wayne County to the auspices of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences’ (CFAES) at The Ohio State University.

As an affiliate of Ohio State, BioHio was envisioned in 2010 and was created to facilitate the movement of discoveries from the college into the commercial sector. It is located on the CFAES Wooster campus.

Additional goals of BioHio were to advance, encourage, and promote the industrial, economic, commercial and civic development of the Wooster area and to serve as a research park for the benefit of The Ohio State University, the City of Wooster, and Wayne County.

“While the original goals of BioHio are still relevant and part of the CFAES mission, the separate legal entity was not providing the benefits originally envisioned,” said Cathann A.… Continue reading