News

Reporters Liz Partsch and Paul Rowley give a rundown of the top stories in Farm and Dairy newspaper for the week of March 26, 2026.

Ohio law dictates that most outdoor burning is prohibited in unincorporated areas from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. during March, April and May. Burning is limited in the spring due to the abundance of dry grass, weeds and leaves on the ground. Gusty winds and low humidity can make a seemingly safe fire burn more intensely and escape control.

In the heart of Ohio’s dairy country, farmers like Greg Steffen and Scott Stoller are moving beyond guesswork to discover how intensive cropping affects their land’s future. Through a $10 million USDA-funded project called "From the Ground Up," these producers are collaborating with Ohio State University researchers to design real-world trials on their own acreage. By prioritizing farmer-led questions over lab-controlled experiments, the initiative aims to find actionable ways to balance high-yield production with lasting soil health.

Ohio and Pennsylvania lawmakers are racing to regulate a massive boom in AI-driven data centers amid concerns over rising utility costs, farmland loss and environment risks. Ohio’s House recently passed HB 646 to study these impacts, while PA legislators are debating how to balance the potential economic benefits with community needs.

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture recently confirmed the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in a backyard flock in Kanawha County. This is the third case of bird flu in WV this year.

Through "Gorzkie Żale," Polish Catholics in Youngstown find a new home at St. Columba Cathedral to preserve their sacred music, language, and heritage.

Why do thousands of anglers flock to the Maumee and Sandusky Rivers every spring? Explore the history, economics and pure joy of the Ohio walleye run with Outdoors Columnist Jim Abrams' latest.

Bonnie Mitsui and Melinda O’Briant of Turner Farm in Hamilton County received the Stewardship Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the cultivation of sustainable agriculture. Debra Knapke of Franklin County received the Service Award, which recognizes extraordinary service in support of sustainable agriculture.

The Ohio FFA, Ohio Farm Bureau, AgCredit, Farm Credit Mid-America and Nationwide announced finalists in the 2025-26 Golden Owl Award contest.

Get caught up with the Northwestern Wayne FFA and Clear Fork FFA chapters.