Hello again, friends!
Halloween at my house usually brings a pleasant diversion from harvest, or lack of harvest as the case may be.
The kids always start planning their Halloween alter-egos several weeks in advance. Of course, there is some parental guidance. “No, you can not be a belly dancer” and “No, you can not use […]

A small farm livestock owner recently asked me about the benefit of pasture aeration and the application of fertilizer and lime. To answer the question, I had to do some review of studies that investigated pasture aeration and fertilization.
That started me thinking about soil quality, pasture condition and the effect that pasture management might […]

“We worked in the woods for nearly 10 hours today, falling trees, sawing lumber. I could have worked 10 more. There is something invigorating about work in the deep forest, the type of work of which I never tire.”
– Alexander Smalley diary entry, 1880

Autumn is the perfect time for reflection, for a walk […]

A day after the first hard frost of the season, a flock of nomadic cedar waxwings appeared in the backyard. I counted 42, but probably missed a few. They were filling their bellies with fruits from a bittersweet thicket.
More handsome than beautiful, waxwings always seem immaculately groomed. Only the distinctive crest disrupts the body’s […]

Northwestern FFA soils team (left to right, back row): Chris Thomas, Tessa Hershey, Adam Krueger, Ashley Cromer; (front row): Jessica Wellert, Sabrina Johnson, Sarhra Flinn and Misty Meuer.

WEST SALEM, Ohio — The Northwestern FFA Chapter participated in the Wayne County soil judging contest, hosted by the Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the […]

AURORA, Ohio — Creatures-N- Features 4-H group had a very successful fair season. Michaela Ritz won the grand champion ribbon for intermediate rabbit showmanship, grand champion litter pen, best of breed with a Silver Marten, best of opposite with a Silver Marten and third place Silver Marten. She even successfully sold her first litter of […]

ANDOVER, Ohio — Four months after a hail storm pummeled crop fields in Ashtabula County, the crops are coming off.
The feeling among those contacted is that it could have been worse.
Farmers affected do know that the crops weren’t a total loss and did overcome the damage.
A severe thunderstorm June 25 reportedly dumped more than 2 […]

Experts say food is safe and healthy, when proper steps are taken.

COLUMBUS — A partnership between The Ohio State University and the internationally-recognized Animal Welfare Science Centre is helping the university focus research and academic resources on providing a competitive understanding and training in animal welfare science.

Partnership

During an all-day symposium Oct. 16, the university explained its partnership with AWSC, which includes Australia’s University of Melbourne, […]

Group uses community support, USDA grant to open year-round food retail store.