by CrownRandall | Apr 7, 2025 | Agriculture
VERSAILLES – On Saturday, April 5th, Maggie McGlinnch, a member of the Versailles FFA Chapter, participated in the State FFA Officer interviews vying for a spot on the 2025-2026 State FFA Officer Team.
As part of the interview process, Maggie completed an application, agriculture education and agriculture industry, along with a personal interview, led a scenario conversation with an agriculture business leader, recorded a video on why he desired to be on the Ohio FFA Association State FFA Officer and sent in thank you notes to be evaluated.
The announcement of the Ohio FFA State Officer ballot will take place at the upcoming State FFA Convention.
Versailles FFA and Maggie McGlinch wish to thank the following individuals who assisted in preparing Maggie for the officer interviews they included: Maria Homan, Tommy Shaw, Amy Hoying, Jacki Stonebraker, Laura Wuebker, JoAnn Pfeiffer and Lucy Bambauer.
Good luck to Maggie!
by CrownRandall | Apr 6, 2025 | Agriculture
NELSONVILLE – On Saturday, March 29, the Versailles FFA Wildlife team participated in the State FFA Wildlife Career Development Event at Hocking College, where they earned an impressive 8th place overall in the state.
The team was composed of Luke Kaiser, Josh Henry, Jace Bohman and Sam Albers, who represented the top four members. Additional team members included Josie Pothast, Reed Grilliot, Danica York, Ethan Wilker, Jack Borches, Natalie Gehret, Kallie Banks, Eli Keiser, Colten Spradlin, Jaelyn Hecht, Dale Petijean, Cole Williams, Simeon Hess, Logan Nerderman, Jacob Simons and Drake Ahrens. Luke Kaiser demonstrated exceptional skill and knowledge, achieving 4th place individually in the state.
In the middle school division, Ben Kaiser distinguished himself by placing 8th overall. The Wildlife Career Development Event required participants to demonstrate their proficiency in identifying mammals, birds, plants, fish, and wildlife-related equipment.
Additionally, team members engaged in practical exercises related to pond management, game laws and regulations, and habitat management.
The Versailles FFA Wildlife team extends its sincere appreciation to Coach John Kaiser for his guidance and dedication in preparing the team for this prestigious competition.
by CrownRandall | Apr 6, 2025 | Agriculture
I hope this Newsletter finds you well. Hopefully nobody has faced too much impact from harsh weather this past week. We have been receiving some significant rains, with more expected in the coming days. Even with the precipitation, part of Darke County is considered to be abnormally dry (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?fips_39037). The wet soils are limiting field and garden work, but we’ll likely see more before long. More information on the weather will be shared in the attached Newsletter.
Today is International Carrot Day! This may not be a widely celebrated day, but it’s a good opportunity to promote a classic garden staple. Whether or not you’ve grown them in the past, consider including this root crop in your garden this year. There are countless varieties available, and they are a fun crop to grow.
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.
The next Darke County Garden Roundtables will be April 9th at 12:00 p.m., and April 23rd at 6:00 p.m. The agenda is attached.
The next Darke County Ag Breakfast will be April 25th at 7:30 a.m. at Jack’s Cabin in Greenville.
This week’s Newsletter topics include:
· Checking Your Soybean Seeding Rate
· Encouraging Good Behaviors in Heifers
· How Grain Source Impacts Dairy Rations
· Spring Nitrogen Fertilization for Winter Annual Grain Forages
· Using Dairy Manure with Newly Planted Corn and Soybeans
· 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 | Apr 6, 2025 | Agriculture
I hope this Newsletter finds you well. We’ve had some typical back-and-forth weather at the beginning of spring, but hopefully, nice weather will be here to stay before long (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?fips_39037). Some field work has begun already, and the fields will be buzzing with activity before we know it.
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.
The next Darke County Garden Roundtables will be April 9th at 12:00 p.m., and April 23rd at 6:00 p.m. The agenda is attached.
The next Darke County Ag Breakfast will be April 25th at 7:30 a.m. at Jack’s Cabin in Greenville.
This week’s Newsletter topics include:
· Early Spring Lawncare
· FARMS Comprehensive Tool for Farm Transition Planning
· Forming a Nutrient Management Plan
· How and Why to Hire an Arborist
· How to Onboard New Hires Successfully
· Using Early Seeded Spring Forage to Fill Shortfalls
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 27, 2025 | Agriculture
DARKE COUNTY – The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) announces the deadline of June 1 (No Exceptions) for the Darke County Quality Assurance (QA).
All junior fair exhibitors taking a market or lactating animal must complete a quality assurance.
Exhibitors are eligible to test out at ages 12-14 & 15-18 as of January 1, 2025. You MUST receive 70% to pass. By appointment ONLY – March 25, March 27, & April 2. Register at go.osu.edu/2025darkecoqatestout
In-person sessions will be held at Birchwood Training Center, 5844 Jaysville-St. John Rd, on
April 9th, April 15th, April 24th, and May 22nd, beginning at 7 p.m. Register at go.osu.edu/2025darkecoqa
To complete an online session, visit yqcaprogram.org. Certificates must be emailed [email protected]
by CrownRandall | Mar 27, 2025 | Agriculture
GREENVILLE – The Buckeye Buckaroos Club met on March 10 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Greenville.
The club heard a demonstration on “Giving horses proper intramuscular injection” given by Emily Hartman.
The members were then divided into groups and were able to practice giving injections on an orange.
The club will be taking a trip to Equine Affair on April 12. Also the club’s fundraiser golf outing will take place on August 9.
The next meeting will be held on April 14 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
