by CrownRandall | Mar 21, 2025 | Agriculture
VERSAILLES – Andrew Lyons is a senior at Versailles High School and participates in the Agriculture Education Capstone Program and has been selected as the capstone highlight student of the month. The Versailles Agriculture Education Capstone Program is in its 13th year of existence. Andrew is the son of Tim and Darlene Lyons of Versailles, Ohio. Capstone is a program that gives Versailles High School Junior and Senior Students who are enrolled in agriculture education an opportunity to gain real-world employment experiences and opportunities while in high school.
Andrew started working at Superior Aluminum in 2023 and has continued to work throughout his senior year and has worked over 1,200 hours. Andrew’s primary roles in the shipping department responsibilities include: bundling rail, loading trucks, boxing posts, parts and railing.
Jeff Langston Shipping Supervisor at Superior Aluminum, is quoted as saying “Andrew is a fine young man, respectful, hardworking, listens to detail, learns quickly, stays on task and finishes work quickly. He is willing to do whatever needs done in the shipping department.”
Superior Aluminum Products planted roots in Russia, Ohio in 1967 as a small town, family-owned manufacturer of aluminum railing and columns. Since then, they’ve grown from a 15,000-square-foot facility to 152,000 square feet today. What’s made Superior unique and successful through it all is its local workforce and culture! Even after all that growth, they’ve still maintained that family feel. Superior employees are an industry-leading, award-winning team, with a passion for creating innovative architecture.
This year 53 students are enrolled in the Versailles Agriculture Education Capstone programs and are leaving school after their daily required courses are complete and working at area businesses. The goal of the spotlight is to highlight each month one of the students that participate in the capstone program and highlight the skills/knowledge they are gaining, and the roles/assets they are to their business. The students enrolled in capstone also use their employment as their Supervised Agricultural Experience Program. As part of their grade in capstone, students are required to keep detailed records of their hours worked, earnings and skills performed. In addition to the record books, capstone students are being evaluated at the end of each nine weeks by an evaluation completed by their employer.
Congratulations to Andrew Lyons and Thank you to Superior Aluminum for this opportunity.
by CrownRandall | Mar 21, 2025 | Agriculture
I hope this Newsletter finds you well. Spring has officially arrived in Darke County, and it won’t be too long before field and garden work is happening in full force. Some work has already begun as the weather has warmed. Darke County has had cool temperatures and precipitation later in the week (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?fips_39037). Ohio weather can be unpredictable, but hopefully, we won’t have much more cold weather before spring officially arrives.
While there haven’t been any officially confirmed cases recently, it is important to remain aware of HPAI in Darke County and the surrounding region. Continue using proper biosecurity measures when working with backyard flocks. More information on biosecurity, as well as the latest numbers of Bird Flu, can be tracked at the ODA website: https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/animal-health/hpai/01-poultry
I’ll be discussing Pheasants at Worch Library on April 10th at 6:00 p.m. We’ll be discussing pheasants in nature, raising pheasants, and what we can do to support pheasants. I’ll be joined by a special guest, and I hope to see you there.
I’ll also be at Arcanum Library on March 28th at 2:00 p.m. to discuss Spring Gardening. We’ll be discussing starting a garden, crops to consider growing, and practices for having a successful garden as the weather starts to get warmer with the arrival of spring.
The next Darke County Ag Breakfast will be on April 25th at 7:30 a.m. at Jack’s Cabin in Greenville.
This week’s Newsletter topics include:
2025 Beginner’s Guide to Farmland Ownership
Checking for Contaminants in Hay
Improving Hay Quality
Spring Nitrogen Recommendations for Winter Wheat
Understanding Animal Welfare
Wheat to Beat Project
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 | Mar 15, 2025 | Agriculture
VERSAILLES – On March 11th, the Versailles FFA Chapter held its 90th Annual FFA Parent-Member Banquet at Versailles High School. Everyone present enjoyed a catered dinner by Mary Bergman and her staff, followed by an evening of awards highlighting the accomplishments of the Versailles FFA over the past year. Among the list of awards were Honorary FFA Degree Recipients, Chapter Awards, the Induction of the 2025-2026 Versailles FFA Officer Team, and much more!
The first order of business was to recognize the capstone students and their employers. Juniors and seniors have the opportunity to participate in the capstone program where they leave school for the second half of the day to go to work. The students’ employers were awarded plaques with the name of the capstone employee, with room to add more names in the future. The plaques were proudly sponsored by the Versailles FFA Alumni. The Versailles FFA put together a slideshow featuring the capstone employers and student employees. The senior capstone employees and employers include: JL & Sons Power Washing student employee Caden Adkins, Manco student employee Zac Bartram, Owl Creek Dairy student employee Colin Batten, Sally’s Beauty Supply Store student employee Jensen Bruey, Rest Have Nursing Home student employee Chole Brown, DeMange Farms student employee Owen DeMange, Bensman Welding student employee Nick Gehret, All About Tops LLC student employees Quentin Grilliot, Luke Kaiser, and junior Owen Mendenhall, Versailles ACE Hardware student employee Allee Grimme, Eldora Speedway student employee Trey Huber, Smith Pallet student employees Zander Keller and juniors Nick Ellis and Logan Nerderman, Brown Chiropractic student employee Karlie Litten, Superior Aluminum student employees Andrew Lyons and Garrett Thompson, Down Home Farm student employee Maggie McGlinch, Prosperity Promotions student employee Jocelyn Mumaw, Dick Lavy Trucking student employee Josh Myers, Petitjean Farms student employee Dale Petitjean, Pothast Insulation student employee Josie Pothast, The Butcher Block and Smokehouse student employee Blake Schmitmeyer, Line View Dairy Farm student employee James Schmitmeyer, Grillot Construction student employee Kaden Starkey, Greenville ACE Hardware student employee Matthew Subler, MB Earthworks student employee Lucas Timmerman, Worch Lumber student employee Jeremiah Wagner, Brain Winner Farms student employees Lincoln and junior Roger Winner. The junior employees and employers include: Shatto Show Cattle student employee Carson Bergman, Versailles Feed Mill student employee Jace Bohman, EB Real Estate student employee Issac Brown, Goettemoeller Stock Farm student employee Caleb Bubeck, Shandy’s Bar and Grill student employee Delaynee Bulcher, Groff Mowing and Lawn Care student employee Jacob Groff, K and L Tractor Sales student employee Dylan Hemmelgarn, Hess Fencing student employee Simeon Hess, John’s IGA student employee Dalton Johns, Walnut Grove Cabinets student employee Logan King, Custom Foam student employee Ava May, Daycare Discoveries student employee Karmidy Mertz, Heckman Family Farms student employee Haley Mescher, Koenig Equipment student employee Allison Pierron, Rethman Farms student employee Daniel Rethman, Matty Q’s Restaurant student employee Seth Shafer, AL Smith Trucking student employee Gavin Simons, Village of Versailles student employee Cole Willliams, Knapke Kitchen and Baths student employee Owen Rindler.
The following people were rewarded with an FFA Honorary Degree for their outstanding services and contributions to the chapter, which included Jim Grogean and Family, Olivia Pohlman, Matt and Liz Schmitmeyer representing The Butcher Block and Smokehouse, and Suzanne Batten. Former members inducted into the Hall of Fame included 2023 graduates who all received national FFA recognition: Laura Wuebker, Luke Winner, Reagan Winner, Mallory York, Noah Shimp, and Hayley Smith.
The FFA also recognized its Proficiency Winners who completed a 25-plus-page application that was submitted to the regional and state evaluations. These members are among the top 4 in the state for their Proficiency. Plaques were sponsored by Phelan Insurance Agency represented by David Coons. Versailles FFA Proficiency Winners included: Vegetable Production: Paige Gehret, Ag Communications: Paige Gehret, Diversified Vegetable Production: Grace Borchers, Forest Management: Danica York, Poultry Production: Maggie McGlinch, Dairy Placement: Colin Batten, Ag Processing: Blake Schmitmeyer, Diversifies Agriculture: Lincoln Winner, Diversified Livestock: James Schmitmeyer.
Chapter Proficiency winners include Ag Services: Patrick McGlinch, Beef Production: Gracie Henry, Diversified Crop Production: Ben Pitsenbarger, Small Animal Production: Isley DeMange, Goat Production: Eden Barga
Having good record books is a key part of the SAE. At the banquet, the Versailles FFA recognized those individuals with outstanding record books. Outstanding Record Book Winners: 8th Grade Class: Kolt Petitjean, Maverick Keller, and Aleta Longfellow. Freshmen Class: Josh Henry, Drew Geisendorff and Jake Bergman. Sophomore Class: Gracie Henry, Nathan Timmerman, and Brandyn Heitkamp. Junior Class: Jack Borchers, Grace Borchers, and Jace Bohman. Senior Class: Allee Grimme, Nick Gehret, and Zac Bartram.
High Scholastics is an important part of each high school student’s life. The Versailles FFA Chapter recognizes those students from each class who excelled in academics in all high school classes. Outstanding Scholarship Winners: 8th Grade Class: Allison Bergman, Kyra Bergman, Blair Schellhase, and Abby Wilker. Freshman Class: Monica Evers, Gabe McGlinch, and Margaret Schmitmeyer. Sophomore Class: Adam Rauh, Rhylan Broerman, Patrick McGlinch, Luke Borchers, and Hank Smith. Junior Class: Eden Barga, Sam Albers, Brooke Bergman, Paige Gehret, Ruthie Smith, and Brayden Wagner. Senior Class: Colin Batten and Emmit Demange.
The fruit-selling winners are as follows: the top-selling family was Grace and Luke Borchers, the 2nd place family was Lucas and Nathan Timmerman, and the 3rd place family was Hank and Ruthie Smith. The top-selling individual was Josie Pothast, 2nd place individual was Paige Gehret and 3rd place individual was Luke DeMange.
2025 State FFA Degree Candidates were recognized, which includes Lauren Grogean, Allee Grimme, Josie Pothast, Eden Barga, Brooke Bergman, Paige Gehret, Jayna Luthman, Haley Mescher, Ava May, Shawna Schmitmeyer, Ruthie Smith, and Roger Winner.
2025 American Degree Candidates were recognized, which includes Zoe Billenstein and Trevor Luthman.
The Chapter also gave recognition to members who assisted with all types of activities during their study hall which include: Jacob Simons, Keira Rahm, Rhylan Broerman, Greta Broering, Eden Barga, Lauren Grogean, Paige Gehret, Josie Pothast, and Emmit DeMange.
The highlight of the awards program was the announcement of the top awards.
2025 8th Grade Class Star Greenhands: Simon Broering, Russell Winner, Blair Schellhase, and Lydia Breze. The 2025 Star in Ag Placement: Lincoln Winner. The 2025 Star Leadership Award: Colin Batten. The 2025 Chapter Farmer Award: Maggie McGlinch
As part of the evening, Versailles FFA conducted a silent and live auction to benefit the Versailles FFA Chapter, and FFA Alumni: Pedal Tractor donated by Tim and Darlene Lyons purchased by Versailles Feed Mill, Rocking Pig made and donated by Gary and Jill Gehrey purchased by Bruns Animal Clinic, Wooden Barn made by Bob Frey and donated by Nick and Amber Broerman and a decorated and donated cake by Sandy Bergman purchased by Maria Stein Vet, Homemade Wood Carving made and donated by Danica York purchased by Keller Grain and Feed, Lawn Utility Trailer donated and made by the Advanced Mechanical Principles Class purchased by Dena Wuebker, Twin Quilt donated by Laura Schwieterman and Cheesecake made and donated by Olivia Pohlman purchased by Dr. Ruhenkamp, Hare Care Gift Basket donated by Gwenn and Michael Barga purchased by Janet McGlinch, Cheese and Meat Basket donated by Jeff and Dena Wuebker purchased by AL Smith, Poultry Feed donated by Greg McGlinch purchased by Erin Will, Cooler, Grill Set, and Pork donated by Jeff and Dena Wuebker purchased by Versailles Feed Mill, Welcome Sign and Spring donated by Nature Reflections purchased by Jeff Wuebker, Hella Spring Basket donated by Suzanne Batten purchased by Laura Schweiterman, Decorative Basket donated by John and Kristi Kaiser purchased by Suzanne Batten, Farm Portrait donated by Apple Farm Services purchased by Erin Will, Homemade Coffee Cakes and Coffee donated by Jeff and Dena Wuebker purchased by Johnny Schmitmeyer, Meat and Cheese Basket donated by Curt and Monica Goubeaux purchased by A.L. Smith, Homemade Wood Carved Crosses donated by Randy and Danielle Luthman purchased by Jeff Wuebker, Buy Local Gift Basket and Decorated Cake donated by Jake and Christy Broering purchased by Brad Grilliot, Classic Carriers Truck Services donated by Classic Carriers purchased by Matt Schmitmeyer, Full Sized Quilt donated Diane and Denise Elsass purchased by Jason Billenstien, Wheelbarrow donated by Versailles ACE Hardware purchase by Jason Billenstein.
There was a scholarship awarded with the help of the Versailles FFA Alumni. Blake Schmitmeyer, Maggie McGlinch, and Lincoln Winner, received the Doug and Craig Meier Scholarship, given to students who plan on entering full-time farming or who are full time farming after graduation The last scholarship given was the Ben Overholser award from Gail and Josh Overholser with the help of SISCO, Luke Kaiser and Maggie McGlinch received this scholarship.
The Versailles FFA would like to say thank you to the following people and businesses for making the banquet a success: Mike Goubeaux, Max Kindell, Larry Weyand and the custodial staff for setting up the Banquet. Those who donated to the auction, 2024-2025 Versailles FFA Officer & Assistant Officer Parents, Apple Farm Services, Nature’s Reflections, Laura Schweiterman, Olivia Pohlman, Classic Carriers, Denise and Diane Elsass, Curt and Monica Goubeax, Jeff and Dena Wuebker, Versailles ACE Hardware, Down Home Farms- Greg McGlinch/Matt Aultman. To those who purchased items at the 2025 Versailles FFA Banquet Auction. To Phelan Insurance- David Coons for sponsoring the plaques. To North Star Hardware and Implement for donating banquet supplies. To Mrs. White and the Life Skills Class for wrapping the silverware and the water. To the Greenhouse Management class for arranging the centerpieces. To Susan Ballinger of Nature’s Reflections for donating the blue vases and assisting with the backdrop.with the program, Dannon yogurt for the yogurt and Mrs White’s class for making the homemade coffee cake.
Overall, the forum successfully fostered meaningful dialogue and provided valuable insights into the future of agriculture.
by CrownRandall | Mar 14, 2025 | Agriculture
VERSAILLES – The Congressman Warren Davidson Farm Forum, hosted by the Versailles FFA on March 8th, provided a platform for discussing critical issues facing the agricultural community.
The event brought together approximately 225 attendees, with the Versailles FFA serving made-to-order omelets, sausage, yogurt, fruit, coffee cake, chocolate milk, orange juice and coffee as a part of the gathering.
The program began with a recitation of the FFA Creed by Versailles FFA member Monica Evers, who had recently presented it at the State Public Speaking Contest. This was followed by remarks from Congressman Warren Davidson, Representative Matt Huffman, and Director of Agriculture Brian Baldridge, along with Ohio Farm Bureau staff Brad Bales. Each speaker addressed current challenges within the agricultural sector and discussed potential solutions to these pressing concerns.
The event also featured a Public Speaking presentation by Versailles FFA member Rhylan Broerman, who delivered her speech titled “The Real Cause”, which she had previously presented at the State Public Speaking Contest.
The forum concluded with an engaging Q&A session with Brad Bales and Congressman Warren Davidson, providing attendees the opportunity to interact with the speakers.
Versailles FFA members played a role in introducing all the presenters throughout the program as well.
The Versailles FFA would like to thank Weaver Eggs for the egg donation, Reiter Dairy for the milk and orange juice donation, Farm Credit for the plate and napkin donation, Janelle and Rick Bell for the sausage donation and helping with the program, Dannon yogurt for the yogurt and Mrs White’s class for making the homemade coffee cake.
Overall, the forum successfully fostered meaningful dialogue and provided valuable insights into the future of agriculture.
by CrownRandall | Mar 14, 2025 | Agriculture
I hope this Newsletter finds you well. Darke County has been having some warmer, comfortable weather recently, reminding us that we aren’t very far off from working in outfields and gardens (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?fips_39037). Ohio weather can be unpredictable, but hopefully, we won’t have much more cold weather before spring officially arrives.
HPAI in Darke County and the surrounding region continues to be an important topic, with a current number of 21 affected premises in Darke County and roughly 14.6 million birds affected throughout the state. Continue using proper biosecurity measures when working with backyard flocks. More information on biosecurity, as well as the latest numbers of Bird Flu, can be tracked at the ODA website: https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/animal-health/hpai/01-poultry
The next Darke County Garden Roundtable will be March 20th at 6:00 p.m. The agenda for the Roundtables is attached.
The next Darke County Ag Breakfast will be March 21st at 7:30 a.m. at Jack’s Cabin in Greenville.
This week’s Newsletter topics include:
Considerations for Perennial Grass Species in the Pasture
Dairy Margin Coverage
New Year’s Resolutions for Cow-Calf Producers
Ohio Box Tree Moth Quarantine
Ohio Fruit News
Using Cereal Rye as a Cover Crop
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 | Mar 14, 2025 | Agriculture
Considerations for Perennial Grass Species in the Pasture: “One result of the drought of 2024 may be the need to reseed pasture or perhaps perennial grass hay fields. During the second session of the Ohio Virtual Beef School on February 26, 2025, Noble County OSU Extension Educator Christine Gelley reviewed selection criteria when considering which grass forage species to include in new seedings.” Maintaining a quality pasture an restoring it when necessary is an important practice for producers with grazing livestock. OSU Extension Educator Christine Gelley has a video presentation recorded to explain selection criteria when choosing which grasses might be worth planting in your pasture.
https://u.osu.edu/beef/2025/03/12/considerations-for-perennial grass-species-selection-when-reseeding-pasture/
Dairy Margin Coverage: “The dairy industry is a global market with a history of volatility in profits from income (milk price and the beef market) and expenses (feed prices). We have already seen this volatility in the futures market for 2025 as the potential impacts of tariffs, other changes in global trade and federal order reform are factored in as new information arises.” Dairy production, like all sectors of agriculture, can be quite volatile in terms of economic return and the cost of production. OSU Extension Specialist Jason Hartschuh discusses risk management strategies for dairy producers in this article—in particular, he discusses Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC). Hartschuh shares details on the current DMC outlook, including price points, deadlines, and other considerations.
https://www.farmanddairy.com/columns/managing-risk-on-dairy farms-with-dairy-margin-coverage/861355.html
New Year’s Resolutions for Cow-Calf Producers: “The Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions, first published in January 2022, serves as a good reminder of the management practices that almost always need fine-tuning in cow/calf operations.” New Year’s resolutions are common practice for many people, and some people find them useful for helping to make improvements in their lives. Cow-calf producers might find similar success implementing New Year’s resolutions for their beef operations. In this article, Dr. Michelle Arnold, Ruminant Extension Veterinarian for the University of Kentucky, writes on some options to consider.
https://u.osu.edu/beef/2025/03/12/the-top-ten-new-years resolutions-for-cow-calf-producers-2/
Ohio Box Tree Moth Quarantine: “The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) announced yesterday that the box tree moth (BTM) (Cydalima perspectalis, family Crambidae) quarantine zone has been expanded in southwest Ohio. As of yesterday, the BTM quarantine now includes the following counties: Butler, Clermont, Greene, Hamilton, Miami, Montgomery, and Warren.” The Box Tree Moth (BTM) is an invasive insect that has been discussed in the Newsletter previously. The ODA recently expanded the quarantine zone in Ohio; while Darke County is not included in that zone, some neighboring counties are. This article from OSU Extension Educator Joe Boggs can help keep you up to date on this matter.
https://bygl.osu.edu/index.php/node/2460
Ohio Fruit News: “Fungal diseases of specialty food crops such as strawberry, apples, grapes and vegetables are routinely managed using multiple applications of fungicides. For example, in a single season, more than 10 applications may be made depending on the crop type, cultivar, environmental conditions, and primary inoculum load.” The latest edition of Ohio Fruit News was recently released, with contributions from OSU Extension Professionals Dr. Melanie Lewis Ivey, Dr. Francesca Rotondo, Dr. Erdal Ozkan, and Dr. Ashley Leach. Topics include calibrating your sprayer, fruit disease diagnostics, fungicide resistance screening, and others.
https://u.osu.edu/fruitpathology/files/2025/03/OFN_FEB_2025.pdf
Using Cereal Rye as a Cover Crop: “The use of cover crops in Ohio has been an important focus of existing and newly created conservation efforts to improve water quality in both the Lake Erie and Ohio River watersheds. One of the more popular cover crop species is cereal rye. This fact sheet reviews cereal rye characteristics, such as the growth habit of the species, differences between cereal rye and other small grains, ideal growing conditions and tolerance for poor conditions, and how to identify the species and avoid its potential negative consequences.” The usage of cover crops in general is becoming more popular, and cereal rye is among the most common choices of cover crop for agriculturalists. This factsheet from OSU Extension professionals Rachel Cochran, Kelley Tilmon, and Sarah Noggle focuses on the use of cereal rye as a cover crop. Specific topics include this plant’s growth characteristics, the benefits it offers, how it compares to other cover crop selections, and how it is best managed.
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr 0168
