Top Stories

How do you manage record-breaking residential growth while protecting the wild things a community loves? By leveraging the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund, Stark County's Plain Township and the Western Reserve Land Conservancy recently secured 47 acres of high-quality wetlands at zero cost to local taxpayers. It’s a masterclass in holistic conservation and smart land use.

The project would span more than 100 miles and is intended to strengthen the electric grid and support growing energy demand from data centers. But those opposed say it could affect farmland, property rights and future land use across rural communities.

At a Wooster town hall, Ohio farmers and veterinarians voiced support for OSU's Protect OHIO plan, which aims to address the shortage of rural vets in Ohio, but warned that student recruitment alone won't fix the rural veterinarian retention problem.

From sumac spiles to bobsleds, discover the traditional tools and annual rites of pioneer maple sugaring before the age of modern vacuum systems.

Reporters Liz Partsch and Paul Rowley give readers a rundown of the top stories in the Farm and Dairy the week of April 9, 2026.

Fly season starts long before the first swarm appears. If you want to protect your herd’s weight gain and milk production this summer, the work begins in April. From cleaning up old bedding to starting IGR minerals, taking action now prevents a population explosion in July. Check out these expert tips from OSU Extension’s Ted Wiseman on how to build an integrated fly management plan that works.

Most amphibians start in the water and move to land—but the Eastern newt likes to do things a little differently. After spending its teenage years as a brilliant orange Red Eft wandering the forest floor, it undergoes a total transformation to head back into the water for good. Dive into the fascinating, "bass-ackward" life cycle of this incredible salamander in our latest feature by biologist Tami Gingrich.

Morrow County farmers and officials unite against the Ohio Department of Transportation's proposed U.S. 23/I-71 connector, fearing a new four-lane highway will destroy prime farmland for a six-minute shortcut.

Discover the story behind the Ohio Beef Expo’s most unique tradition—a world-class bagpiper leading the Shorthorn Lassie Queens to the show ring.

Settlement money will be given to Belmont, Gallia, Lawrence, Meigs, Morgan and Washington counties to support local drinking water infrastructure projects in over a dozen communities.