by CrownRandall | May 17, 2025 | Agriculture
I hope this Newsletter finds you well. On-and-off rains continue to slow down field work, but farmers are still getting seeds in the ground as opportunity allows. The rains have at least continued to provide sufficient moisture to Darke County
(https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?fips_39037. In the fields that were able to get planted earlier, emergence has occurred. A few triticale and wheat fields have been cut for forage, while most alfalfa is ready for first cutting when weather allows. Some alfalfa weevil damage has occurred, prompting pesticide applications in some cases. I’ve seen plenty of poison hemlock, common and giant ragweed, and other weeds throughout the fields. More on poison hemlock control in pastures will be shared in the Newsletter. Be sure to cooperate with any farm equipment on the roads, and stay safe in the fields and planting season progresses.
Remember to take advantage of the Darke County Garden Giveaway! Whether you’ve obtained seeds already or not, there is always room to plant some more. There is plenty of seed to go around, so if you would like any spinach, cucumber, green bean, carrot, and lettuce seed, reach out to me or stop in at the office. Planting information will be included in the seed packet, and I’m always happy to answer any questions.
The NRCS is offering the opportunity for poultry operations to increase biosecurity on their farm through free Biosecurity Assessments. These assessments will assist producers in increasing their farm’s biosecurity and provide cost-share opportunities. More details and contact information can be found in the attached flyer.
I’ll be at Worch Library next week on June 12th at 4:00 p.m. to discuss Wildflowers, Native Plants, and Pollinators. We’ll talk about some native plants, why they’re important, and how we can manage them. I hope to see you there!
Our next Darke County Garden Roundtable will be May 21st at 6:00 p.m. This session will be at the OSU Extension office, and the agenda is attached.
2025 Farm Science Review might seem like a ways off, but it will be here before we know it. The Review will be held on September 16th-18th, and is always a great opportunity to see the latest technologies, learn from professionals, and network with other agriculturalists throughout Ohio. Presale Tickets are $10 each; please let me know if you would like to order tickets for Farm Science Review ahead of time so we can get tickets ordered.
The next Darke County Ag Breakfast will be June 20th at 7:30 a.m. at Jack’s Cabin in Greenville.
This week’s Newsletter topics include:
Conservation Reserve Program Opportunities
Dealing with Wildlife Encounters
Farm Commodity Program Payment Estimates
Managing Weeds in the Pasture
Maximum Return to Nitrogen Calculator Update
Wheat Foliar Disease and Head Scab Risk
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 | May 9, 2025 | Agriculture
ARCANUM – Arcanum MVCTC FFA attended the State FFA Convention May 1st and 2nd to cap off a very successful year. Members were recognized for their accomplishments during the 2024-2025 school year. During the course of the year, members competed in various CDE (Career Development Events) against schools from across the state. Through hard work and practice, the chapter was able to earn 4 banners by placing in the top 5 in the Ohio FFA.
The Ag Technology and Mechanical Systems team placed 5th in the State. Team members were Charlie Weiss, Lance Brinksneader, Noah Egnor and Matthew Denlinger. Charlie was also recognized for placing 3rd overall as an individual. The team qualified by placing in the top 10 on the online test, then traveled to Ohio State ATI to compete in the hands-on finals, which included electrical, construction and equipment stations.
The Farm Business Management team placed 1st in the State. Team members with the top scores were Charlie Weiss, Katelynne Michael, Landon Miller, Ethan Hartman, Lance Brinksneader, and Seth Fearon. Charlie and Katelynne were recognized for placing 1st and 2nd overall as individuals. The team completed an online test that included general knowledge and problem-solving questions about running an agribusiness.
The Grain Merchandising team placed 2nd in the State. Team members were Charlie Weiss, Lance Brinksneader, Katleynne Michael and Carrie Delinger. Charlie and Lance were recognized for placing 1st and 9th as individuals. The team qualified for the finals by placing in the top 10 on the online test, then traveled to Wilmington College to compete in the Grain Merchandising simulation.
The Outdoor Power team just missed out on a banner by placing 7th in the State and received an Ohio Plaque. Team members were Weston Stephens, Matthew Denlinger, and Hudson Knaus. The team qualified for the finals by placing in the top 2 of the district contest and then traveled to Ohio State ATI for the finals, which included individual stations and a team activity
The Dairy Judging team placed 2nd in the State. Team members were Charlie Weiss, Lance Brinksneader, Robby Denniston, Henry Weiss and Bohdan Menzie. Charlie and Lance were recognized for placing 1st and 6th overall as individuals. The team qualified for the finals by placing in the top 10 of the preliminary contest held at the Ohio State Fairgrounds and then traveled to Ohio State ATI for the finals, which included placing classes, team activity and oral reasons.
The Arcanum MVCTC FFA Chapter also had officers recognized on stage for receiving a gold rating on their officer books. Katelynne Michael, Secretary; Mora Menzie, Reporter; and Carrie Denlinger, Treasurer, all received a gold rating on their respective books and received a pin for their FFA jacket.
During the State FFA Convention, member Mora Menzie performed during the Talent Showcase after being selected as one of the top 10 from the online submissions. This is Mora’s fourth consecutive year being selected for the Talent Showcase.
The State FFA Degree is the highest honor the Ohio FFA can bestow on a member. This year, the Arcanum MVCTC FFA had 5 members reach this honor. Those members were Lance Brinksneader, Ethan Hartman, Landon Miller, Cheyenne Swisher and Charlie Weiss. They achieved the State FFA Degree by meeting the minimum standards set by the state, including CDE participation, SAE earnings, and community service hours.
Finally, Arcanum graduate Landon Haney was recognized as the National FFA Star American in Agri-Business. Landon was awarded the Star in Agri-Business at the National FFA Convention and was welcomed back to Ohio for his victory. Landon was also the keynote speaker of the Friends of FFA Luncheon held during the State FFA Convention.
by CrownRandall | May 9, 2025 | Agriculture
FORT RECOVERY – Arcanum MVCTC FFA members competed in the District 5 Ag Mechanics Skills Contest hosted at Fort Recovery High School. Members of the team were Matthew Denlinger, Henry Weiss, and Weston Stephens.
The purpose of the Ag Mechanics Skills Contest is to assess the students’ skills in agricultural mechanics that occur in maintenance and repair. Students demonstrated the proper use of tools and applied tool use and knowledge to daily situations in agricultural mechanical environments. Some of the activities students completed were: Welding, Electrical Soldering, Pipe Flaring and Fuel Identification. The team finished 3rd in the district.
Another hands-on mechanical contest was the Outdoor Power Contest which was held in Fort Loramie. Members of the Outdoor Power Team were Weston Stephens, Matthew Denlinger, and Hudson Knaus.
The Outdoor Power Equipment Career Development Event (CDE) is an extension of the Agricultural Education classroom and laboratory. Additionally, this CDE serves as an authentic assessment designed to evaluate students’ knowledge in recognizing and repairing malfunctions in outdoor power equipment.
The skills Agricultural Education students employ in this CDE are the same skills required by outdoor power equipment technicians. The team finished 2nd in the district and qualified for the State Finals at Ohio State ATI in Wooster. At the State finals the team finished 7th in the State.
by CrownRandall | May 9, 2025 | Agriculture
I hope this Newsletter finds you well. Frequent rains and cooler temperatures have kept farmers out of the fields, but many people are ready to get planting as soon as there is a window to get into the fields
(https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?fips_39037. There is crop emergence throughout the county from fields where farmers were able to get some planting done. Some alfalfa weevil damage has occurred in alfalfa stands, and nearby counties have reported numbers of black cutworm and true armyworm. Be sure to cooperate with any farm equipment on the roads, and stay safe in the fields and planting season progresses.
Remember to take advantage of the Darke County Garden Giveaway! Whether you’ve obtained seeds already or not, there is always room to plant some more. There is plenty of seed to go around, so if you would like any spinach, cucumber, green bean, carrot, and lettuce seed, reach out to me or stop in at the office. Planting information will be included in the seed packet, and I’m always happy to answer any questions.
The NRCS is offering the opportunity for poultry operations to increase biosecurity on their farm through free Biosecurity Assessments. These assessments will assist producers in increasing their farms’ biosecurity and provide cost-share opportunities. More details and contact information can be found in the attached flyer.
I’ll be at Worch Library next week on May 15th at 4:00 p.m. to conduct the program Spring Into Gardening. We’ll discuss the makings of a spring garden, what plants to grow, and how to help them be successful. I hope to see you there!
Our next Darke County Garden Roundtables will be May 14th at 12:00 p.m. and May 21st at 6:00 p.m. Both sessions will be at the OSU Extension office, and the agenda is attached.
2025 Farm Science Review might seem like a ways off, but it will be here before we know it. The Review will be held on September 16th-18th, and is always a great opportunity to see the latest technologies, learn from professionals, and network with other agriculturalists throughout Ohio. Presale Tickets are $10 each; please let me know if you would like to order tickets for Farm Science Review ahead of time so we can get tickets ordered.
The next Darke County Ag Breakfast will be May 16th at 7:30 a.m. at Jack’s Cabin in Greenville.
This week’s Newsletter topics include:
Forage Maturity Across Ohio
Glufosinate Use and Label Guidelines for 2025
Managing Heat Stress in Dairy Cows
Second Quarter Fertilizer Prices Across Ohio
Using Baleage to Manage Hay Quality
Using Liquid Manure With Newly Planted Corn and Beans
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 | May 4, 2025 | Agriculture
VERSAILLES – The Versailles Agricultural Education Department and FFA Chapter are conducting their 14th Annual Greenhouse Sale. The greenhouse is open from 2:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M., Monday through Friday and open Saturdays 8:30 A.M to 12:00 P.M. and closed on Sundays. The greenhouse is located on the West side of Versailles Schools at 280 Marker Rd, close to the auditorium. The greenhouse will feature an open house on Saturday, May 10th, with greenhouse specials, activities for children, light refreshments and door prizes. The greenhouse will be open from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm on May 10th.
Specials in the greenhouse starting May 8th through May 10th include large cone and coco baskets $40.00, small coco baskets 30.00, 10 inch hanging baskets 20.00, 12 inch hanging baskets 22.00 and buy 10 annual plants in the 3 to 4 inch pots including geraniums and supertunia and get 2 free, with a total cost of $32.00 and 18.00 for 36 count full flat you can mix and match vegetables and flowers.
The annuals for sale in the greenhouse include: Pelargonium Hort Patriot: Bright Pink, Bright Red, White; Begonia: Dragon Wing Red; Coleus: Main Street Oxford Street, Main Street River Walk; Ipomoea: Blackie; Pelargonium Hyb Calliope Med: Dark Red; Verbena: Lanai Deep Purple; Vinca Major Variegata (Common Vinca Vine); Dichondra Argentea: Silver Falls; Impatiens Sunpatiens: Comp Hot Pink; Lantana: Bandana Cherry Sunrise, Bandana Gold; Lysimachia Nummularia: Goldilocks; Pennisetum Setaceum: Rubrum; Begonia Semp.: Cocktail Mix; Impatiens W.: Accent Prem White, Accent Prem Mix, Accent Prem Red, Accent Prem Rose; Marigold (Tagetes): Safari Mix; Petunia: Wave Easy Pink Passion, Wave Easy Red, Wave Purple; Salvia Splendens: Vista Red; Dusty Miller: Silverdust; Eucalyptus: Baby Blue Bouquet; Helichrysum; Plectranthus Coleoides: Variegata: Angelonia Angust: Carita Raspberry; Liner Canna: Cannova Scarlet; Dracaena Indivisa: Spike-Cordyline; Ipomoea: Marguerite; Kwik Kombo Bandolista: Lava; Senecio Candicans: Angel Wings; Begonia Bol Iconia Portofino: Hot Orange. The greenhouse features Hanging Baskets available in 10 & 12-inch pots, cone shape and round wire shape. A variety of planted pots will also be available. Versailles FFA will also fill your pots and you will be charged for the flowers and soil to fill your pots. The greenhouse features vegetable plants of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, cabbage, herbs, zucchini, cantaloupe, cauliflower, watermelon, herbs, broccoli and squash. The greenhouse will feature more vegetables as the season progresses. Versailles FFA will also fill your pots and you will be charged for the flowers and soil to fill your pots. Drop your pots off during greenhouse hours.
If you have any questions, please email Versailles FFA Advisor Dena Wuebker at [email protected] or Versailles FFA Advisor Taylor Bergman at [email protected].
We look forward to seeing you at the greenhouse. Patrick is a State Top 4 Proficiency Finalist for Ag Services for his soil sampling business. Patrick is the son of Janet and Greg Mcglinch. Patrick received a shirt and a certificate. Congrats to Patrick on being named SAE member of the month.
by CrownRandall | May 4, 2025 | Agriculture
VERSAILLES – In an effort to recognize outstanding SAE-Supervised Agricultural Experience projects, the SAE committee announces an outstanding SAE at each meeting and presents them with an FFA t-shirt. At the April 14th meeting of the Versailles FFA meeting Colin Batten and Patrick McGlinch were selected as SAE members of the month.
Colin Batten is a senior and 5-year member and he has a Job Placement SAE working for Owl Creek Dairy. At Owl Creek Dairy, he assists in all aspects of the farm from milking, scraping pens, feeding calves, working the ground, and many other miscellaneous tasks.
Through his SAE, Colin has been named a Top 4 Proficiency Finalist for Dairy Production Placement in the state of Ohio. Colin is the son of Suzanne Batten and Chris Batten. Colin received a shirt and a certificate. Congratulations to Colin Batten on being named SAE member of the month.
Patrick Mcglinch is a sophomore and third-year member, was named the Entrepreneurship SAE member of the month for his own soil sampling business. In his soil sampling business, he takes samples for local farmers and sends the samples away to a lab to be analyzed. He then sits down with the farmer to talk through the recommendations and explains what the soil sample shows. Patrick is a State Top 4 Proficiency Finalist for Ag Services for his soil sampling business. Patrick is the son of Janet and Greg Mcglinch. Patrick received a shirt and a certificate. Congrats to Patrick on being named SAE member of the month.
