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