Thursday, May 7, 2026

The 98th Ohio FFA Convention was a powerful reminder that our setbacks don't define us—our mindset does. From keynote speaker Brad Hurtig’s incredible story of resilience to State President Carter Boyd’s call to embrace what makes us “outstanding,” the message was clear: Ohio FFA is a place where every student can find their purpose. Whether it’s troubleshooting tractors in Ansonia or launching new urban chapters in Garfield Heights, Ohio FFA is proving that agriculture is for everyone.

Looking for a challenge that doesn't involve the walleye crowds? The spring sucker run is officially on! From the common white sucker to the elusive redhorse, these feisty bottom-feeders are a blast to catch and—if prepared right—make for a delicious meal. Check out Jim Abrams’ latest guide on how to identify them, where to find them and how to cook them up.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife and the Ohio Department of Transportation are asking the public to report locations where they see reptiles and amphibians frequently cross roadways.
sheep on pasture

Stop guessing your fertilizer needs. In the latest All About Grazing columns, Ohio State University Extension's Josh Winters leads us through how to use research-based calculations to determine how much P and K your livestock return to the soil through grazing.
Ramps

Join Reporter Liz Partsch on a trek through the Pennsylvania woods to discover the world of ramps. Learn how to sustainably harvest these Appalachian spring greens and try her favorite ramp recipes.

Editor Rachel Wagoner and Reporter Liz Partsch give readers a rundown of the top stories in the Farm and Dairy the week of April 30, 2026.
Patrick Adrian

A new partnership is breathing life back into former coal mines in Appalachia. Non-profit Bosland Growth, with support from Suntory Global Spirits, is reclaiming strip-mined land in West Virginia and Pennsylvania by planting thousands of native trees. The project focuses on the white oak—a species critical for wildlife and the bourbon industry—which is currently struggling to regenerate.
A close up view of the top of a harvested hemp plant.

Despite once being hailed as the next cash crop for the Buckeye State, new state regulations are making it harder than ever for Ohio hemp farmers to survive. With a new .4mg THC limit per container, many wellness products like CBD are being pulled from store shelves. Local growers say they need more support, not more restrictions.

Wild turkeys were once thought to be gone from Ohio forever. It took birds from 7 different states (shipped by air and rail!) to restart the population we see today. Now, biologists are using GPS transmitters to solve a new mystery: Why are populations declining in some areas? Read Outdoors columnist Jim Abrams’ latest field notes on the past, present and future of wild turkeys in Ohio.
deer

Positive CWD samples were detected in Allen, Crawford, Hancock, Hardin, Marion and Wyandot counties in Ohio. A total of 6,617 deer were tested for CWD during the 2025-26 hunting season.