by CrownRandall | Sep 28, 2025 | Agriculture
I hope this Newsletter finds you well. Most of Darke County has received some light, soaking rains, but it will take much more to end the moderate-severe drought that we are facing. (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?OH). While the rain is too little, too late to have a real impact on this year’s crops, it is still important for replenishing the water table, providing moisture for forage crops, and lessening the risk of field fires. Many of the same weeds and diseases are seen throughout the county as harvest progresses. Stay safe in the fields, and be sure to share the roadways with farm equipment!
This week is National Ag Safety and Health Week; it gives a chance to raise awareness for the risks that come with the agricultural community and to encourage agriculturalists to prioritize their safety and health. The slogan for this year is “Safety First, Avoid the Worst”. Make sure to implement good safety and health practices, both for your own well-being and to set a good example for those who look up to you.
I’ll be at Worch Library on October 30th at 6:00 p.m. to discuss Backyard Poultry Production. If you’ve ever wondered about getting into small-scale poultry raising, or if you’re interested in learning more about the flock you already have, this program may be of interest to you. We’ll discuss the basics of nutrition, management, species consideration, and other topics for both meat and laying birds.
Our next Darke County Garden Roundtable will be on September 30th at 6:00 p.m. This session will be at the OSU Extension office, and the agenda is attached.
The next Darke County Ag Breakfast will be on October 17th at 7:30 a.m. at Jack’s Cabin in Greenville.
This week’s Newsletter topics include:
Battle for the Belt
Bovine Emergency Response Planning
Field Fire Prevention
Harmful Algal Blooms in Farm Ponds
Reviewing Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will
Weather Update
I hope you enjoy this week’s Newsletter, and as always, never hesitate to reach out to me and let me know how I can best serve you and all of Darke County.
by Caden Buschur, Darke County Extension Educator
by CrownRandall | Sep 28, 2025 | Agriculture
VERSAILLES – On September 15th, the Versailles FFA Chapter held its monthly meeting at the Knights of Columbus softball diamond. The evening featured a friendly softball game against the St. Henry FFA Chapter, in which Versailles secured a win.
Prior to the meeting, members enjoyed a variety of recreational activities, including 9-square, spikeball, cornhole, and pumpkin painting. Members also enjoyed a hamburger and hot dog cookout before the meeting.
Thank you to Jeff Wuebker for cooking and to all the officers and assistant officers for bringing meal sides and recreational equipment.
by CrownRandall | Sep 23, 2025 | Agriculture
I hope this Newsletter finds you well. Darke County, along with the rest of Ohio, remains in very dry conditions, with varying chances of light rain over the next week (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?OH). Silage harvest is largely completed, and soybean harvest is underway as well. Waterhemp has been shown to be one of the more prominent weeds in Darke County soybean fields, with volunteer corn, giant ragweed, velvetleaf, and foxtail appearing as well. Overall, there seems to be less disease pressure in crops than in previous years, but there are cases of Tar Spot, Northern Corn Leaf Blight, and some other diseases in the corn fields.
I’ll be at Worch Library on October 30th at 6:00 p.m. to discuss Backyard Poultry Production. If you’ve ever wondered about getting into small-scale poultry raising, or if you’re interested in learning more about the flock you already have, this program may be of interest to you. We’ll discuss the basics of nutrition, management, species consideration, and other topics for both meat and laying birds.
Our next Darke County Garden Roundtables will be September 24th at 12:00 p.m. and September 25th at 6:00 p.m. These sessions will be at the OSU Extension office, and the agenda is attached.
The next Darke County Ag Breakfast will be October 17th at 7:30 a.m. at Jack’s Cabin in Greenville.
This week’s Newsletter topics include:
Battle for the Belt
·Crop Insurance Decisions for 2026
Fall Armyworm Update
Planting Challenges for Forages and Small Grains
·Strategies for Managing Beef Cattle in a Drought
I hope you enjoy this week’s Newsletter, and as always, never hesitate to reach out to me and let me know how I can best serve you and all of Darke County.
by Caden Buschur, Darke County Extension Educator
by CrownRandall | Sep 23, 2025 | Agriculture
VERSAILLES – The Versailles FFA is conducting a new activity this fall on September 27th called the SAE Roadshow and all are welcome to take a driving tour to see firsthand FFA members’ Supervised Agricultural Experience projects.
This event will be set up like a passport event where FFA members, family, and local community members will be able to travel from home to home and learn about the variety of our members’ SAE projects. The stations that will be provided on this activity is Paige Gehret’s Pumpkin Patch, along with Hank Smith’s Honey, also located there, Down Home Farms, Buschur Dairy, Eden and Liam Barga’s Goat Milk, Rhylan Broerman’s garden and salsa business. Each stop that can will have a sample of their items and a place where you can purchase some.
Also, at each stop attended, you will receive a sticker that can be placed on your passport. Full passports can be turned in for the chance to win a door prize.
To RSVP, please text or email Ms. Taylor Bergman at [email protected] or 937-621-9136 or contact Mrs. Dena Wuebker at [email protected] or 937-423-2369.
Passports will be available to pick up at the FFA Fall Harvest Sale on Sept 20th as well. at 937-621-9136.
by CrownRandall | Sep 23, 2025 | Agriculture
VERSAILLES – The Versailles FFA is proud to invite all Versailles and surrounding area residents to Igniting Awareness, a free community safety event aimed at promoting fire prevention, preparedness, and public safety awareness.
The event will be held on Thursday, October 9, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Versailles Fire Station, 320 Baker Road, Versailles. The event starts at 6:00 p.m. with a complimentary dinner featuring hamburgers, sausage patties, hot dogs, chips, baked beans, soft serve ice cream, brownies, cookies, and drinks.
During the meal, attendees will have the chance to visit a variety of informational booths and speak with fire and safety professionals from organizations including the Versailles Fire Department, American Red Cross, Darke County Farm Bureau, OSU Extension, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Guests can come between 6:00pm to 7:00pm to receive the free meal.
At 7:00pm, the program will start and include an educational program for adults and kids. The event will feature a special kids’ program, which includes hands-on activities such as an inflatable fire safety house, second-story bail-out ladder, spraying fire hoses, climbing on fire trucks, trying on firefighter gear, etc.
Adult attendees will hear from three expert presenters. Andrea LeMaster, Fire, Life, and Safety Educator with the State Fire Marshal’s Office, will discuss fire extinguisher use and maintenance, as well as home escape planning and drills. Bob Frye, past Versailles Fire Chief, will address fire risks associated with home cleanliness and hoarding, provide Ohio fire statistics, and emphasize the importance of smoke detector placement and upkeep, especially in rural and agricultural buildings.
Ken Johnson from the Darke County EPA will share information on fire policies and resources available to local residents. As part of the event, free smoke detectors and fire extinguishers will be distributed to attendees.
This event is being sponsored by a grant received by Ohio FFA Association and Farm Credit Services Mid-America. This community-focused program is designed for all ages and is a great opportunity to increase safety knowledge in a hands-on, engaging environment.
RSVPs are requested by September 27th. Please RSVP using the google form: https://forms.gle/ieChzf6MjN7Znpto7
Don’t miss this chance to connect with your local safety professionals and learn valuable tips that could save lives. Each guest will come home with a free smoke detector or fire extinguisher.
This program is being made possible by a grant from Ohio FFA Foundation and Farm Credit Mid America.
For more information or to RSVP, please contact the Versailles FFA by emailing Dena Wuebker at [email protected] or call/text at 937-423-2369 or Taylor Bergman at [email protected] or text/call at 937-621-9136.
by CrownRandall | Sep 23, 2025 | Agriculture
I hope this Newsletter finds you well. Overall, Darke County remains very dry, although some spots throughout the region have been receiving more rain than others (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?OH). More on the weather is discussed in the attached Newsletter article from OSU Extension’s Aaron Wilson. Much progress has been made in silage harvest, and some soybean harvest has begun as well. Overall, there seems to be less disease pressure in crops than noted in previous years. Volunteer corn is commonly seen in the soybean fields, and other prominent weeds I’ve come across include waterhemp, velvetleaf, foxtails, marestail, and giant ragweed. Forecast and discussion of this year’s corn crop is also included in the Newsletter, from OSU Extension’s Osler Ortez. I hope you all have a safe and successful harvest season.
I’ll be at Worch Library on October 30th at 6:00 p.m. to discuss Backyard Poultry Production. If you’ve ever wondered about getting into small-scale poultry raising, or if you’re interested in learning more about the flock you already have, this program may be of interest to you. We’ll discuss the basics of nutrition, management, species consideration, and other topics for both meat and laying birds.
Our next Darke County Garden Roundtables will be September 24th at 12:00 p.m. and September 25th at 6:00 p.m. These sessions will be at the OSU Extension office, and the agenda is attached.
There is still time to pick up some last minute Farm Science Review Tickets if you have not done so already. The Review will begin next Tuesday, and run through Thursday. Many people enjoy FSR each year, and there is always plenty of opportunity to learn something new, see the latest in ag technology, and connect with others. I hope to see you there!
The next Darke County Ag Breakfast will be September 19th at 7:30 a.m. at Jack’s Cabin in Greenville.
This week’s Newsletter topics include:
Battle for the Belt
Corn Yield Forecast
Green Fields/Green Dollars Podcast
Ohio Fruit News
Timing Your Last Alfalfa Cutting
Weather Update
I hope you enjoy this week’s Newsletter, and as always, never hesitate to reach out to me and let me know how I can best serve you and all of Darke County.
by Caden Buschur, Darke County Extension Educator
