How an Ohio farmer delayed hay harvest to save nesting bobolinks
After learning that early hay harvest destroys bobolink nests, Jefferson County farmer Adam Costarella delayed cutting until July. By adjusting his grazing and haymaking schedule, he helped restore habitat for these long-distance migratory birds on his eastern Ohio farm.
Chicory: A runway of blue
Common chicory lines summer roadsides with vibrant blue blooms, but this resilient perennial is more than just a wildflower. Naturalist Tami Gingrich explores the history, edible greens, roasted root coffee recipe, and livestock forage benefits of this versatile plant.
How financial stress impacts your physical and mental health
Financial stress affects millions of Americans, triggering chronic health conditions, anxiety, and financial toxicity from medical bills. Ohio State Extension educator LuAnn Duncan explains the connection between financial well-being and physical health, plus resources to help manage the burden.
Cattle handling: The VITAL framework for better stockmanship
Effective cattle handling requires both physical skill and emotional awareness. Ohio State University Extension dairy specialist Jason Hartschuh details the VITAL framework—covering values, knowledge, execution, situational awareness, and learning—to help farmers build safer, low-stress livestock handling habits.
Part 4: Civil War letters home send hope that the war will soon be...
In part 4 of Civil War letters home, 18-year-old Stephen Boyd of Ashland County, Ohio, writes from Tennessee about camp conditions, the fall of Vicksburg, Morgan's Raid, and his optimistic hopes that the war will end in time to return to Jeromesville for the fall corn harvest.
Could a GPS collar replace a roll of wire? Exploring remote grazing technologies
Remote grazing technologies like virtual fencing and GPS livestock tracking offer potential labor savings and better pasture management. Learn the key benefits, costs, and connectivity challenges producers must consider before adopting precision livestock tools on their farm from Ohio State Extension's Heather Neikirk.
Neighbor talk: Why I adore the everyday drama of rural Facebook pages
While many love to hate social media, rural Facebook "Talk" pages offer essential local news you can't find anywhere else. Kymberly Foster Seabolt takes a humorous look at lost goats, mystery booms, misdelivered packages, and the everyday drama that keeps small towns connected.
How small changes in car care can protect local waterways
Your car provides convenience, but runoff from road salt, fluid leaks, and driveway washing harms local streams. Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District shares simple habits to prevent stormwater pollution and keep northeast Ohio waterways clean year-round.
Civil War letters home, part 3
In new Civil War letters home to Jeromesville, Ohio, the Boyd family faces heartbreak after learning of 21-year-old James's death at Vicksburg. Meanwhile, eldest brother John writes from a hospital bed and Stephen shares updates on camp life and Southern politics.
How the 1833 washboard patent changed early American laundry
The patenting of the washboard in 1833 inspired tinsmiths, potters, and wood turners across Ohio to craft early laundry devices. Explore the history of handmade washboards, possers, and the weekly frontier tradition of "Blue Monday."
