Our Master Gardeners finished another great year with recognitions at their annual banquet the end of October. Seven of our MG interns “graduated” to full-fledged Master Gardener volunteers by completing their training and volunteer hours: Saundra Bastian, Mark Hipple, Lynn Shaffer, Rainer Masur, Sonnie Bernardi, Mary Delzeith and Janet Nelson.
In addition, the following officers were installed for this next program year: Jim McCracken, president; Suzann Lonsbury, vice president; Teresa Freisthler, secretary; and Carol Braun, treasurer.
As at last year’s banquet, each member present was asked to identify and briefly discuss a highlight from the past year. While the Community Garden at the AGAPE site, learning, and helping out were mentioned, the most resounding response was the opportunity to get to know and work with a great group of people with similar interests. The camaraderie of the group was a highlight!
Yes, we are making plans to hold a training in the spring of 2017. If you are interested in learning more about the Master Gardener program, please contact our office. We will send you information as soon as we have something (a bit more) concrete!
Auglaize County will be holding a Grain Marketing Meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 7. Jon Scheve with Superior Feed Ingredients, LLC of Waconia, Minnesota, will be the key speaker. Topics to be discussed include how on-farm storage combined with forward selling, market carry, and basis appreciation can provide added income; hedging with futures to reduce risk; and how options can be a great addition to a farmer’s marketing tool box.
This meeting will begin with dinner at 5 p.m. and conclude by 9 p.m. It will be held at the Eagles in downtown Wapak (25 E. Auglaize St.). There is no fee for this meeting due to sponsors: First National Bank, Farm Credit Mid-America, and Minster Bank. Preregistration is required by Dec. 2: 419-739-6580 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries in the U.S. Fatalities occur at a higher rate in agriculture than most other industries. Farm families and employees can work together to protect against Farm Hazards, by using the “Three E Approach.” When you do this, you’re also making a commitment to remain a sustainable business. Here are the everyday routines for farm families to follow are:
1. Education: Teach everyone the safe way to work, and attend training programs whenever they are offered to improve knowledge of farm hazards.
2. Engineering: Keep shields and guards in place, and avoid disabling or tampering with the built-in safety devices on powered equipment. Also, install ROPS and seatbelts on all open-stationed farm tractors, and use the ROPS and seatbelts that are sold on modern day tractors and larger horse-powered lawn and garden mowers.
3. Enforcement: Even while the farm may not have an OSHA obligation or Department of Labor inspectors visiting on a regular basis, it’s a good idea to have rules in place for everyone to observe. Employer rules to ensure that workplace safety practices are followed can be developed and carried out with minimum distraction to the overall daily routine. These rules could save a farm from costly litigation in the event that a workplace injury does occur.
A commitment of farm owners to improve the workplace safety record is also making a commitment to remain a sustainable business for the future. That is why practicing farm safety is leaving a legacy for others to follow.
Yes, Farm Safety is important! We owe it to our kids and grandkids to be careful and set a good example! We want to see them grow up! Be safe … everyone!
