Farm Bill Summit planned for April 11

0

It’s April! The sun has been shining! It’s even a bit warm! Excitement! Can you tell I’m excited for spring-like weather!? Yep, my desk is still piled high and it was busy every day last week, but the only evening commitment I had was Wednesday evening church service! Wow! I even had a little energy left!

This week is the Farm Bill Summit being held at Versailles High School, 280 Marker Road in Darke County. This will be held on Thursday evening, April 11, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. with a light supper at 6 p.m.

This program will address changes in the 2018 Farm Bill and what those changes may mean for Ohio farmers and producers. Speakers will address government assistance in the farm bill including crop insurance; compensation for farmers who set aside a portion of their land for conservation; and payments to farmers who grow corn, soybeans, wheat, and other commodities when losses occur due to low commodities prices or low revenue.

There is no cost, but reservations are requested by Wednesday, April 10. Contact Sam Custer at 937-548-5215. You can find more information at go.osu.edu/Cpkg.

For those of you who grow produce for sale, there is a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course being held in Delaware on April 16 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This will be held at the Methodist Theological School Ohio Campus on Columbus Pike north of Columbus.

This program is designed to meet the Produce Safety Rule training requirement of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and is free for Ohio residents; $85 for out-of-state residents. The registration deadline is April 11. You can find details at go.osu.edu/CuEJ. The 12th Annual Buckeye Bonanza Open House and Sale Horse Preview will be held Saturday, April 13th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the OSU Equine Center at Don Scott Field, Kays Road, Dublin, Ohio. Ohio State students will be on hand to answer questions and demonstrate their equine handling skills. A petting zoo, wagon rides, and other fun activities will be offered for the whole family.

The actual auction will be held online and opens at 8 p.m. on April 11th. It will close a week later on April 18. If you’re interested in purchasing, this visit to the Open House would be an excellent time to get a close-up look at the horses being offered for sale. You can find more details at go.osu.edu/CsqQ.

As the weather gets better, we’re gonna start seeing more tractors and farm equipment on the roads, so I’m here to remind all of you to be safe! Vehicle collisions can happen at any time. Many are a result of the speed differential between slower-moving farm equipment and passenger vehicles traveling at “normal speeds.” Sometimes cars don’t slow down in time before colliding with machinery. Other collisions are a result of cars and trucks passing farm implements without a clear distance of on-coming traffic.

Farmers, you can help by enhancing your visibility with lights and by using that Slow Moving Vehicle sign! And, even though you’re not required to get out of the way to let traffic pass, you may want to do so when enough room is available. That can help limit the build-up of frustration for those behind you!

Those of you driving cars can also help with roadway safety! Farm machinery has a legal right to use public roads just as other motor vehicles do. All drivers in rural areas should be alert to the possibility of encountering slow moving farm vehicles, and be prepared to slow down or stop. A little patience is always needed when farmers are “on the move.” Limit tailgating behind the equipment where you can’t be seen. Remember: If you can’t see the driver, the driver can’t see you!

https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2019/04/web1_BrownDeborah-Reinhart_12-1.jpg

By Deborah Reinhart Brown

Ag update

The writer can be reached at the OSU Extension office (937-498-7239) or by email at [email protected].

No posts to display