Do you want to know what those pesky weeds are in your garden, landscape beds, or lawn? OSU Extension, in cooperation with our Shelby County Master Gardener Doris Hibner, is holding Weed Identification and Management in the Home Garden and Landscape on Thursday, April 27, starting at 6 p.m. and going until 8:30 p.m. Weed expert and Auglaize OSUE ANR Educator Jeff Stachler will lead the discussion on the basics of weed identification, focusing on grassy and broadleaf weeds. Following the discussion will be a walk around Doris’s farm to identify weeds. After the weed walk, Jeff will talk about weed control. This should prove to be an exciting and informative program!
The meeting will take place at Charlie Webb’s shop at 11607 Ashburn Road, Wapakoneta, and at Doris Hibner’s farm. Look for the ballons to find the location. Preregister for the event by contacting the Auglaize County Extension office at 419-739-6580 or by e-mailing Jeff Stachler at [email protected]. The cost of the program is $5 per person to defray the cost of refreshments and photo copies. Please take a chair with you to the meeting!
Introduction to Beekeeping will be held on Wednesday, April 19, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Extension Meeting room on the ground floor of the Old Courthouse in Troy at 201 W. Main St. This program is geared toward those that are interested in beekeeping but need more information to get started. Topics to be covered include equipment, costs, bee biology and how it relates to the colony, bee nutrition, where to get bees, and other information.
Early bird registration is $10; due by April 14. Late registration is $25 per person. For more details, visit miami.osu.edu, email Amanda Bennett at [email protected], or contact the Miami County Extension office at 937-440-3945. Two hours of continuing education are available for Master Gardener Volunteers.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture today announced it will begin accepting entries for the 2017 “Agriculture is Cool!” Creative Expression Contest. Children enrolled in school or home schooled in Ohio during the 2016-2017 academic year have until June 5th, 2017 to capture their personal interpretation of why Ohio agriculture is cool for their chance to win prizes, including tickets to the Ohio State Fair.
“Ag is Cool!” entries, which can include an original video, photograph, drawing, or painting, will be judged in the following age categories. One winner from each age group and category will be chosen:
• Grades K-2: Photography, Drawing or Painting
• Grades 3-5: Video, Photography, Drawing or Painting
• Grades 6-8: Video, Photography, Drawing or Painting
• Grades 9-12: Video, Photography, Drawing or Painting
Entries will be judged by a panel that may include representatives from the Office of Gov. John Kasich, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Ohio State Fair, and professionals in the areas of video production, photography, drawing, painting, and other visual arts. Judging will be based on the student’s visual representation of the “Ag is Cool!” theme, if it accurately reflects 21st Century agriculture, use of Ohio images, creativity, and quality of work.
Winners of the art contest will be recognized by the Kasich and other state officials at the Ohio State Fair on July 26. For additional information about the contest, a complete copy of the rules and entry form visit http://www.agri.ohio.gov/AgIsCool/ or call 614-752-9817.
Man, it’s hard to believe we’re almost to the middle of April! It won’t be long until field and garden planting begins! (Once the soils dry out a bit, that is!) James has been working with the grandkids, discussing what each of them wants to plant/grow this season. Should be fun!
