Educational Marketing Program Workshops are being offered to provide food producers practical information on best marketing practices, including strategies that can be used to better promote your direct marketing businesses. Presenters will be specialists from the Direct Agricultural Marketing Program of OSU Extension and the ODA’s Ohio Proud program.

The workshops will be offered in three locations statewide: March 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ohio Department of Agriculture in Reynoldsburg; March 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ohio State University South Centers in Piketon; April 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at OSU Extension Huron County office in Norwalk.

Registration of $15 is required by March 22. This includes a box lunch and handouts. Payments can be mailed to Ohio Proud, 8995 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. Contact Christy Welch (740-289-2071 or [email protected]) or Lori Panda (614-466-8798 or [email protected]) with questions.

LAST CALL for our “Growing Women in Agriculture, An Empowerment Celebration”!

This will be held on Thursday, March 30th at St. Michael’s Hall in Fort Loramie. The evening begins at 6 p.m. with “Mixing and Mingling,” followed by our keynote speaker, Shelly Thobe, Director of Innovation for The Wendy’s Company.

Each attendee will have the opportunity to attend two of the four educational sessions listed to round out the evening: Old-to-New (upcycling and repurposing furniture and home décor), Succession Planning (advice on estate planning and farm transition), Cooking Demo (using fresh olive oils and balsamic vinegars), and Farm Safety (keeping kids aware and safe on the farm). The evening should wrap up by 9 p.m.

While there is no meal, per se, there will be “heavy hors d’oeuvres” at the beginning as well as beer and wine tastings throughout the evening. Cost for this “Women in Agriculture” event is $20 per person; a portion of the fee will be used to support women in crisis. In addition, everyone will be sent home with a “Goody Bag” of candy, wine, a notebook and flash drive, and other gifts. Registration is still open, but it needs to happen soon! Pick up a flier at our office or go online at Shelby.osu.edu to print one off!! Invite Friends and Family and make it a “Girls Night Out”!!

An Ohio AgritourismReady Conference will be held on Wednesday, April 5, at All Occasions Banquet Facilities in Waldo; 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Some of the topics to be addressed include Liability Management, Profitable Strategies, Fun, School Tours, Zoning, Marketing, and Hiring. Creative ideas will also be shared. Presenters will include farmers with agritourism businesses, OSU Extension Ag Law Program and Wright & Moore Law, Farm Credit, and OSU Extension Educators.

Cost is $25 per person/$40 for two from same farm/business; includes light breakfast and a hot lunch. Register by contacting Charissa Gardner ([email protected] or 740-289-2074). Deadline is April 3rd.

Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 19–25 in 2017. (Yes, that’s “this” week!) As we know, Ohio doesn’t just have severe weather in the springtime, but experiences extreme weather conditions throughout the year. During the spring months, however, weather conditions can change drastically within a week, or even a day.

Springtime severe weather conditions in Ohio can include floods, tornadoes, windstorms, thunderstorms; maybe even winter storms, extreme cold, and severe heat. So, take some time to refresh on the difference between a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning and other weather terms such as Flash Flood Warning, Flood Warning, Flood Watch, and Flood Advisory. Take a few moments with your family, friends, and neighbors and update your emergency plans, safety kits and supplies. More information is available at www.weathersafety.ohio.gov.