Farm and Dairy’s week in review: 4/18

Here are this week’s top stories from Farm and Dairy:

1. Earth Day on the Farm

To a farmer, every day is Earth Day. Farmers protect the land, work to make it better and appreciate its resources.

We want to see what Earth Day looks like to you. On April 22, share your photos on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, using the hashtag #EarthDayontheFarm. We’ll be checking in on social media all day, and your photos could appear on our website.

2. Sunlight requirements for growing vegetables

Where you plant your vegetables can make a world of difference. Each vegetable has specific requirements, from soil type to sunlight requirements.

Correct sunlight exposure is crucial, especially for seedlings. Pay attention to what your seed packets suggest for each seed. Test locations on your property to determine which spot is the best for your plants’ sunlight needs.

3. Vegan activist settles with Wayne County school district

Keith Allison, a former Title I tutor for Green Local Schools in Wayne County, Ohio, has reached a settlement with the district after filing a civil lawsuit against the district in March. Allison had made a vegan-related post on Facebook, which he says prompted the non-renewal of his contract in August 2014.

Allison was offered a position at the middle school in January 2015. The settlement from the lawsuit requires the school district to pay the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio $17,500, $6,700 of which will pay for attorney fees, and Allison will receive his share.

4. 6 weather resources for farmers

When it comes to the weather, farmers need accurate forecast predictions. From soil temperatures to hourly outlooks, several weather resources provide the information that farmers need before they head out to the fields.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service and the U.S. Climate Prediction Center are three standard agencies that farmers can rely on, while the Ohio State University Extension’s Agronomic Crops Network can help out Ohio farmers with data collected at numerous locations across the state. Other sources, like Wolfram|Alpha and forecast.io are reliable as well.

5. How to keep wildlife out of your garden

A number of animals may visit your garden throughout the year, especially deer, rabbits, groundhogs, raccoons and chipmunks. There are various ways to deal with wildlife problems, including fencing, scare tactics, live trapping and repellents. The management strategy that’s best for you may depend on the area in which you live and the extent of damage done to your garden.