Farm and Dairy’s week in review: 7/4

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

1. Wild foods to try this summer

There are a lot of wild berries, flowers, leaves and weeds that are edible! This summer, grab an edible plant identification guide and check out your backyard, or check state park and nature preserve rules and regulations for foraging before you head out.

Foraging is a fun family activity, but make sure you make a positive identification before hunting and gathering. Also, only pick plants that haven’t been partially eaten by wildlife or covered in bird droppings.

2. Landowners sue Ohio over CAUV calculation

On June 26, a group of Ohio farmers and landowners have sued the state over the state’s Current Agricultural Use Value. The group is seeking more than $1 billion that they claim was illegally collected through CAUV increases.

Attorneys for the case are hoping to file a class action lawsuit, which would include more than 100,000 landowners who were taxed over the past decade.

3. Thirteen states sue EPA, Army Corps of Engineers over definition of waterways

Thirteen states — Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming — sued the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers June 29 because of the agencies’ definition of “waters of the United States.”

According to the lawsuit, the new rule gives the EPA and Army Corps expanded jurisdiction past the limits set by Congress for the Clean Water Act. The rule also allows the federal government’s ability to control land use.

4. Produce growers hold summer field day in Wayne County

The Ohio Produce Growers and Marketers Association recently held its annual field day in Wayne County at Ramseyer Farms and Rittman Orchards.

The field day consisted of educational sessions at Ramseyer Farms in the morning and a wagon ride and a talk about crop progress in the afternoon at Rittman Orchards.

5. Ohio, Indiana NRCS adopts interim standards for gypsum application

Ohio and Indiana Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently adopted an interim standard for gypsum application while a national standard is being developed. Farmers who use gypsum will be able to access technical information and potentially financial aid through their local NRCS offices.

Gypsum provides nutrients to soil and can also improve physical properties of some soils. Ohio and Indiana farmers to increase water infiltration, decrease erosion and expand rooting.