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Mar 22, 2019
Minimize your risk of spray drift this coming year by registering with The Ohio Specialty Crop Registry. The Ohio Department of Agriculture recently began partnering with FieldWatch, Inc. to operate the Ohio Specialty Crop Registry. Producers of specialty crops and beekeepers may voluntarily report the boundaries of their specialty crops and beehives. The registry then compiles this information in a mapping tool that also provides the contact information of the registrant. In doing so, pesticide applicators are better able to avoid these areas and minimize spray drift. Read more.
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Mar 20, 2019
To help farmers consider different approaches to ecological weed management, The Ohio State University and Michigan State University has developed an online tool. The tool is available at organicweedmanager.com, and takes about 20 minutes to complete. It collects information about the users’ farm conditions, crops, and priorities. The tool then combines this specific data with historic production data to predict short-term and long-term performance of various weed management strategies. Read more.
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Feb 20, 2019
Organic growers know the importance of quality compost for improving farm yields and soil health. But compost might also boost farm income as a product offered for sale. For those interested in starting or expanding a composting business, Ohio State will offer a two-day educational course on commercial composting, March 27 and 28 at the Wooster campus. Read more.
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Jan 10, 2019
Use of compost and a mixed species hay crop are recommended.
For farmers transitioning from a conventional to an organic farming system, decisions made during the three-year transition period can influence important factors of future production, such as soil-borne pathogens, soil fertility, and soil structure. In this study, compost incorporation strongly affected physical, chemical, and biological soil health factors and, overall, the soil food web. Using a mix of perennial hay during the transition was most successful in reducing disease-causing pathogens in the soil. Highest available N and yields occurred in the plots using high tunnel vegetable production. Read more.
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Dec 17, 2018
For organic growers, there is much good news in the new farm bill. Read highlights and reactions from key organic farming organizations here.
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Dec 4, 2018
Optimizing animal health and welfare are main priorities for dairy producers, yet there is still a lot that is not known about organic dairy herd health management, and there is a lack of scientific research dedicated to herd health relevant for organic dairy farming.
To reach the goals of this research project, we are interviewing organic dairy farmers, as well as dairy professionals with organic clientele on herd health management practices. If you are an organic dairy farmer and/or dairy professional working with them, we need your help! In addition to making future research and resources practical and based on real needs, participants will also received a research summary report, a complimentary milk culture, disease protocols (if requested), and a nominal cash incentive. Read more.
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Sep 21, 2018
A series of three Conference Call-in events on Soil Balancing are scheduled this fall: October 17, November 14, and December 12. Each event will bring together a panel of farmers, growers, agricultural advisors, and researchers to share their perspectives and experiences. Those with an interest in this topic may call in to listen to the conversation and to contribute questions or comments of their own.
Soil Balancing is an approach to soil management which is practiced widely by organic farmers, but is relatively untested by research. A multidisciplinary team at Ohio State is working to develop a more complete and widely shared understanding of soil balancing. Efforts include documenting effects on crops and soils when soil balancing is used, and gathering insight on the ways soil balancing is understood and practiced among researchers, farmers, and consultants.
Read more....
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Sep 18, 2018
Stakeholders played a key role in the reverse field tour held on soil balancinglast month at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) in Wooster, Ohio. The field tour is part of a USDA NIFA funded project to advance understanding of soil balancing methods and outcomes. Read more...
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May 1, 2017
For the first time, the Organic Food and Farming Education and Research (OFFER) program will include organic dairy production in its annual field day.
“This year will include a major focus on dairy, a first for the OFFER program, in support of the rapidly expanding organic dairy industry,” said Douglas Doohan, director of the OFFER program.
