Harvest Magazine, Fall 2015

ORGANIC CERTIFICATION

NEW BUZZ ABOUT BEEKEEPING

INSIDE...

Fall 2015

Agricultural Community Review

New Name, Same Great Content!

HARVEST 1

New Name, Same Great Content

With summer drawing to a close and autumn fast approaching, our thoughts turn toward the harvesting of crops and selling of

livestock. A new cycle is approaching and the preparation has already begun. The fi elds need to be tilled, fertilized, cover crops planted and barns need to be winterized. Here within the walls of Spectrum Publications we too have been looking forward to new cycles and perhaps new beginnings.

As you have noticed, our name has changed from ‘Acre’ to ‘Harvest’. While this is convenient for the time of year we see it encompassing all the cycles present within the farming community. Spring bursting forth with new life bringing new livestock to the farm, summer’s warmth offering a bounty of colorful fruits and vegetables from our local farms and gardens and fall completing the cycle with the fi nal harvests and winter preparations of farm, fi eld and home.

The content provided between our new covers does not vary from the typical stem of previous publications. Articles relevant to the agricultural community are forefront in our minds as we choose the content and design. In-depth stories contributed from knowledgeable individuals and institutions will continue to fi ll out pages.

As you fl ip through Harvest, you will fi nd articles covering the annual Farm Science Review held recently in London, Ohio. Notably how the advanced technology of drones can offer farmers better crop planning, avian fl u concerns can be mitigated with simple procedures and if legislation can really slow the algal blooms in our lakes.

Now begins the preparation of the farm for winter. For those vehicles that will be stationary all winter, or a good portion there of, proper care will ensure a quick start in the spring. Liquids left in machinery can rupture a line and salt left to fester can lead to rust and faulty brakes. Animals can slip on walkways not properly

taken care of leading to costly veterinarian bills. Flip to pages 28 and 34 for more information on winterizing your farm.

Thinking ahead to the next season of planting, getting your certifi cation as an organic farm is a process that cannot be left to the last minute. Organic methods have improved and the yields are rising closer to that of non-organic fi elds, but preparing your fi elds and maintaining your certifi cation requires a bit of preplanning (see page 30 for more details).

Whether you are picking up Harvest for the fi rst time or a returning reader you are sure to fi nd something of interest between our covers. We offer hot topics pertinent to the agricultural community written by certifi ed professionals. We take pride in providing stories that are timely, relevant and forward thinking. Our name has changed, but we are still offering the same great content. Read, enjoy and look for us again at the beginning of the next new cycle of the Harvest.

Colette TaylorSpectrum Product Manager

2 FALL 2015

Fall 2015, Volume 2, Issue 3

PUBLISHER : SPECTRUM PRODUCT MANAGER:

SPECTRUM DIRECTOR: WRITER & LAYOUT DESIGNER:

LAYOUT DESIGNER: OFFICE:

,

22

Welcome

Features

30 ORGANIC CERTIFICATION

34 WATER QUALITY PANEL

26 NEW BUZZ ABOUT BEEKEEPING

01 LETTER FROM THE STAFF

A Division of Dix Communications ©Copyright Spectrum Publications 2015

Farm to Table

1445 THE BOYCE FAMILY

46 FALL HARVEST RECIPES

HARVEST 3

Hot Topics

08 SUPERFRUIT

10 BUYING LOCALLY GROWN

18 FARM BUREAU TAKES POSITIONS

14 FERAL SWINE

16 AVIAN FLU

20 BUGGED BY CICADAS?

Farm Safety/Technology

38 $4 MILLION FLOWS

28 WINTERIZE YOUR FARM

22 RESEARCH: EXISTING CROP MODELS CAN FORECAST YIELD

12 YIELD MONITOR CALIBRATION

Miscellaneous

04 FARM SCIENCE REVIEW

37 OSU EXTENSION TO OFFER

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COLUMBUS — Mike Gilkey completed the setup on a laptop computer, then radioed his fl ight plans to the local airport.

The latter is required every time Gilkey and others at 3D Aerial Solutions in Dayton send their unmanned air system aloft.

It didn’t take too long to complete the process and send the drone 200 feet into the air, where it soared, dolphin-like, over adjacent farm fi elds.

Throughout the short fl ight, the craft took pictures of the land underneath, which were transmitted to a computer system on the ground for review and analysis.

The latter helps farmers determine pest, drainage and fertilizer issues on their fi elds, pinpointing the places that need help.

“This could be used to fi nd where your fi elds are not doing well, maybe need more fertilizer or if you have an insect problem,” said Gilkey, who is chief executive offi cer and director of fl ight operations for the company, one of the few that has received Federal Aviation Administration approvals for its commercial drone services. “You can take the processed imagery straight into the precision farm equipment, and you can use it to [determine] where to apply the extra fertilizer or other nutrients.”

Such images have long come from satellite images or aerial photographs taken from craft fl ying higher in

the sky. The benefi t of drones, Gilkey said, is higher-resolution images taken closer to the ground.

“A little more accuracy on the results,” he said.The drones were one focus of this year’s Farm Science

Review, a three-day, large-scale agricultural trade and research show that takes place annually at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center near London, about a half an hour’s drive west of Columbus.

The event draws upward of 130,000 visitors, depending on the weather — many farmers are out in the fi eld at this time of year for harvest. More than 600 commercial exhibitors have some 4,000 product lines are on display, with dozens of workshops and presentations on the latest in agricultural research and innovation.

“This is the nation’s biggest outreach program sponsored by a university,” said Bruce McPheron, vice president for agricultural administration and dean of Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “There are other big farm shows, but those are shows that are run by private business. What we hold onto here as a very critical part of the DNA of Farm Science Review is that it’s full of educational programs.”

He added, “An agricultural producer can come and see the latest in equipment technologies... but they also can come and listen to [presentations] about how to deal with the Farm Bill and federal ag programs, to learn the

Story by |Marc KovacDIX COMMUNICATIONS

Farm Science ReviewCelebrating Agriculture

HARVEST 5

latest on technologies from the faculty and students who are actually doing the work on that.”

On any of the three days of the event, one part of the parking lot at the Farm Science Review grounds is packed full of school buses, with droves of FFA and other students scattered throughout the grounds, learning about new farm-related technologies at OSU and other agriculture-related degree programs.

There’s an increasing interest in those programs. McPheron said enrollment at Ohio State University’s Agricultural Technical Institute, for example, is up seven percent this year and 25 percent over the past three years. Some students are opting for two-year degrees and careers, while others are taking credits earned in Wooster and transferring to OSU’s main campus to pursue four-year degrees.

“We’re doing a better job of helping families and prospective students understand the career path afterwards,” McPheron said. “Second, we’ve aligned the curriculum so that if you start at ATI, you can fi nish in two years and go to the [work place] or if you decided really you would like a four-year degree, your courses are all aligned, ready to move forward into that four-year degree path.”

The annual event is also frequented by many elected offi cials — Ohio Senate President Keith Faber, House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger and a handful of state lawmakers were on hand for opening day and McPheron’s kickoff luncheon.

“There’s actually vendors from my area that are here, not only farmers but people in agri-business,” said Rep. Tony Burkley (R-Payne), from northwestern Ohio. “... Being from an agricultural area, it is what we do in my district. The advances that they’ve made in agriculture in the past decade have just been phenomenal. Anyone from the hobby farmer clear up to the [producer in my area] that is farming 4,000 acres, there’s [something] for all of those farmers [to] take back to their farm....”

There also are county commissioners, township trustees and other local offi cials who frequent the Review.

“I get to meet with other commissioners down here as we celebrate agriculture,” said Wayne County Commissioner Ann Obrecht. “We met with several legislators down here, so I appreciate that opportunity. But the biggest thing is celebrating agriculture. I have visited a lot of the displays. I’ve already been up and down [the grounds] twice. And being in the agricultural business, we like to see what’s new, the newest things out there, maybe how we could do something different.”

On the fi rst day of this year’s Farm Science Review, visitors were introduced to the new head of OSU Extension (Roger Rennekamp, former associate dean

for outreach at Oregon State University), learned about state efforts to control harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie, listened to a presentation by a deputy undersecretary from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and heard about the impacts of the state’s emerging shale oilfi elds.

There also were plenty of fi eld demonstrations, with high-tech combines maneuvering through fi elds of corn and soybeans planted just for the Review.

There were several displays focused on drones and their increasing use on the farm, including 3D Aerial Solutions, which played host to a midday fl yover. The company sells drones and provides imaging and related services.

Some farmers have already bought into drones, which can run about $26,000 for the craft and related systems.

Gilkey said he expects others, in the short term, to rely on drone services, like the ones offered by his company, until the FAA and other regulators develop rules for drone use.

The aircraft used by 3D Aerial Solutions weighs about a pound and a half. It’s easy to fl y, with software that automates the process, and not likely to break, even if it hits the ground.

“Even if it came down and hit you on the head, it would not hurt you,” Gilkey joked.

Marc Kovac is the Dix Capital Bureau Chief. Email him at [email protected] or on Twitter at OhioCapitalBlog.

Trey Hamilton, a visual observer for 3dAerial Solutions in Dayton, prepares a drone for fl ight during the Farm Science Review near London. Farmers are starting to use drone technologies to increase their crop yields.

6 FALL 2015

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8 FALL 2015

SUPERFRUITSHealth fads aside, “superfruits” are proven to be

good for your health. Chock full of antioxidants, essential vitamins

and fi ber, these fruits, defi ned by nutritionists (or food marketers, depending on who you listen to) as being “super” sometime around 2005 are inarguably good for you. And they’ve been benefi cial for your health for much longer than they’ve had the label, but that’s beside the point.

Currently, the Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences is in the midst of research growth trials of elderberry, aronia berry and Chinese goji berry plants at the university’s center in Piketon. According to what Gary Gao, an Ohio State

University Extension specialist and associate professor of small fruit crops told the university’s website in Aug., the crops have been faring pretty well.

Does that mean that pretty soon you’ll drive around rural Ohio and see fi elds full of açaí berries, dragonfruit and mangosteen?

Probably not, according to Fred Finney, who has been gowing fruit at Maurer’s Fruit Farm (2901 Batdorf Rd.) for decades.

“The issue isn’t growing them so much as it is fi nding a market,” said Finney. “I know a farmer that took on a crop of rarer fruits, decided to grow fi ve acres of it, and then learned that his fi ve acres was more than the entire U.S. production of this fruit.”

Obviously, part of the challenge that faces all farmers when they decide to grow any crop is how to market it, and while Ohioans in general might have an interest in superfruits, whether or not they’re going to seek them out is another question.

“You can’t just take something to a produce auction and hope that it sells,” explained Finney, who said that he has experimented with lesser known fruits himself, sometimes making a profi t, sometimes not.

“Years ago we decided to grow a couple different types of heirloom tomatoes that we saw in a seed catalog,” said Finney. “And we had to decide early on that we were going to eat — eating being defi ned as “not selling” — a good portion of them.”

However, Finney wishes anyone who decides to undertake growing nontraditional crops all the best.

“First, you need to grow a small amount to see if you can actually grow these fruits, and then you need to know that you have a market for them before you invest too heavily in them,” said Finney.

Currently, Gao and the others on his reserach team have planted six types of elderberries, three varieties of Chinese goji berries and one type of aronia berries for. Several plants were planted in 2014, and a number of older plants were added in 2015.

Story by |Emily VotawDIX COMMUNICATIONS

HARVEST 9

SUPERFRUITS OF OHIOThe ability to grow Superfruits, like other plants, is

dependent on the type of soil and the area’s climate. According to the USDA created zones dependent on the average minimum temperature in a the particular area, Ohio is primarily in zone 6a with smaller portions falling into zones 5b and 6b. Below are two superfruits with growing capabilities in Ohio.GOJI BERRIES:

When planting the goji berry plant, place in fertile, well-drained soil with access to full sun. Incorporating plenty of well-rotted organic matter, such as compost or manure, will increase the health of the plant. The plant will fl ower in the late spring and summer but signifi cant fruit production will not occur until the third year after planting. Goji come in two species: Lycium barbarum, zones 6b to 9 and Lycium chinense, zones 4b to 9b.JOSTABERRY:

Choose a plot in full sun when planting jostaberries. They are not too particular about soil, but fertilizer will help the plant along. Jostaberries are self-fertile and resistant to many pests and diseases. However, birds love the fruit and the plant will need to be covered well while ripening. Zones 3b to 7.

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The popularity of organic foods and stores that cater to customers who prefer such foods continues to grow, and that growth has contributed to a growing

awareness among shoppers of where the food they eat comes from. Many consumers now recognize the impact that food production has on the environment, and that recognition has spurred interest in locally grown foods.

Locally grown foods are those that are grown within your community or a community nearby. Such foods do not need to be shipped hundreds of miles before they ultimately fi nd their way onto your plate, and many

people fi nd that contributes to meals that are more fresh than meals made up of foods shipped from afar. But freshness is not the only benefi t to purchasing locally grown foods, which pay various dividends for people and the planet.

• Locally grown foods benefi t the environment. The phrase “fi eld to plate” is signifi cant to consumers who prefer locally grown foods. That phrase refers to the distance food travels from the grower to the plate on your dinner table. Estimates vary depending on the source, but advocates of locally grown food suggest that it reduces the fi eld to plate distance by an average of 1,300 miles. That’s a signifi cant feather in locally grown foods’ cap, as the Council on the Environment of New York City notes that it takes 435 fossil-fuel calories to fl y a single fi ve calorie strawberry from California to New York. Buying locally preserves that energy that is used to transport foods from afar.

• Locally grown foods fuel your local economy. In addition to benefi tting the environment, locally grown foods stimulate your local economy. Local, independent farmers have largely fallen by the wayside in the 21st century, as industrial agribusinesses have taken over the produce sections in grocery stores across the country. But local, independent farmers are making a comeback, thanks in large part to consumer demand for organic foods. Supporting such farmers who grow their foods locally means you’re putting money back into your own community, a worthwhile effort at a time when so many small communities are struggling economically.

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• Buying locally maintains beautiful landscapes. Farmland has been on the decline for decades, as cement and asphalt have made millions of acres of once beautiful farmland disappear. Buying locally helps to maintain the green space your community and surrounding

communities have left. That makes for great road trips and even helps to sustain local wildlife populations.

• Locally grown foods can be more nutritious. Fruits and vegetables can rapidly lose nutrients once they are harvested. That’s problematic when buying such foods from industrial agribusinesses that need substantial time to get their products from the farm to the shelves at your local grocery chain. But buying from local farmers increases the likelihood that the fruits and vegetables you purchase were just picked and therefore have yet to lose a signifi cant amount of nutrients.

Locally grown foods are growing in popularity, and that popularity can be traced to the freshness of such foods as well as the numerous additional benefi ts that locally grown foods provide.

12 FALL 2015

Story by | Rory LewandowskiOHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION EDUCATOR, AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES

Increasingly, yield maps are being used to make field-level management decisions such as plant population, type of hybrid, fertilizer application and

soil drainage. Sometimes yield maps are used for crop insurance information or provided to landowners as part of the equation in generating a land rental agreement or payment. Yield maps are used to garner bragging rights at the local coffee shop. So consider these points: yield maps are generated from the information collected during harvest by yield monitors and secondly, accurate yield monitor information is dependent upon calibration.

This year our weather conditions have created a lot of field variability that will translate into expected yield differences within and between fields. Calibration of the yield monitor so that it can account for these variable conditions is necessary to collect reliable harvest yield data. Some good recommendations and procedures regarding yield monitor calibration can be found in two recently written articles -- one by Bob Nielson at Purdue University and available at: http://tiny.cc/PurdueYldMonCalibr and the second by John Fulton, Andrew Klopfenstein, Kaylee Port and Scott Shearer at The Ohio State University, available at: http://corn.osu.edu/. Here are some highlights from the articles:

Yield monitors do not measure actual yield. Yield monitors estimate yield based on the electrical signals they receive from a mass flow, mass impact or optical sensor. Generally, these sensors are located in the clean grain elevator and provide an estimate of grain flow per set travel time. In order to estimate the grain yield the yield monitor uses the flow rate, an estimate of distance traveled dependent upon GPS positions, the combine header width and an estimate of grain moisture content. Calibration involves harvesting loads of grain that will represent or mimic the range of grain flow (yield

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levels) that will be encountered when harvesting a field. Essentially, calibration is teaching the yield monitor how to interpret the electrical signals it is receiving from sensors and then convert those signals into grain flow rates. Typically, varied grain flow rates are simulated by either running the combine at different ground speeds or harvesting strips of varying widths.

Some general rules of thumb regarding yield monitor calibration are:

1) Corn and soybeans require separate mass flow calibration.

2) A different calibration is required for high moisture corn ( 20 percent) versus lower moisture corn.

3) A different calibration is needed for “green” versus dry stem soybeans.

4) Grain test weight can influence mass flow sensors so again, you might need to manage different calibration numbers as test weight differs by two or more values between fields.

5) Double-check calibration routinely for a crop and operating conditions.

6) Remember to calibrate grain moisture sensor for each crop.

7) Calibrate temperature sensor for those monitors requiring this step.

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With the recent sightings of feral hogs and subsequent reports of damage to property, there has been an upswing of interest and

concern in Guernsey County over these pests. To fi ll this need for information, the Guernsey Soil and Water Conservation District hosted an educational program on feral hogs.

Craig Hicks and Eric Householder, both of USDA Wildlife Services, spoke on the subject at Deerassic Park. ODNR Wildlife Offi cer Roby Williams was on hand to answer questions about feral swine and on state game laws.

There were more than 60 county residents in attendance, who learned that feral swine can vary greatly in appearance, even within the same family unit. Typical fur coloration for true Eurasian boar can be gray to dark brown to black, while domestic breeds can display a wider variety of colors and even striping or spots. Piglets with strong Eurasian infl uence will display distinctive striping from nose to tail, while those with domestic lineage may appear as miniature versions of the parent.

As with coloration, the size of mature adults can vary greatly depending on the ancestral infl uence. In Ohio, adults range in size from 125 to 200 pounds. Larger individuals do occur, but rarely exceed 350 pounds in Ohio without supplemental feed.

Male feral swine are typically solitary, while females tend to live in family units called “sounders.” Sounders include adult breeding females, offspring that are weaned but not of breeding age and piglets.

Feral swine typically reach sexual maturity at 8 months of age and can breed year-round. Under ideal conditions, feral swine can produce up to two litters per year.

As with coloration and weight, litter size can also vary greatly depending on the ancestral lineage. Domestic breeds have the ability to produce much larger litters, sometimes of 10 piglets, while those of Eurasian lineage

produce much smaller litters, averaging four to fi ve piglets.

In Ohio, corn and soybeans tend to be the most sought after agricultural food source, but damage to other resources such as turnips, watermelon, squash, orchards and timber have been reported.

Feral swine are often referred to as “living rototillers” due to their destructive digging in search of roots, tubers, eggs and invertebrates. Rooting can range from a depth of two inches to two feet (sometimes as deep as three feet), causing signifi cant damage to roots and soil integrity.

As the summer months heat up, feral swine seek out wet areas to roll in the mud or “wallow.” These wallows range in size from small mud puddles to churned slurries exceeding 300 square feet, which severely damage downstream water quality through silt deposition and bacterial contamination.

Whether by rooting or wallowing, disturbed soil from feral swine activity is subject to extensive erosion. The resulting poor-quality soil is often damaged so badly that it can only be colonized by invasive plant species.

Feral swine are omnivorous feeders and will eat almost anything in their path. As a predator, feral swine will consume invertebrates, small vertebrates and even the

Feral Swine ClinicStory by | Kristen SpickerDIX COMMUNICATIONS

HARVEST 15

young of larger animals such as white-tailed deer and livestock. Feral swine will also feed on the eggs and young of ground-nesting birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Feral swine compete with native wildlife species for valuable resources, like food and shelter. Acorns that would normally be cached by squirrels and other rodents, or used to boost winter body fat by white-tailed deer, raccoons and wild turkeys, are consumed at an alarming rate by feral swine.

Wildlife Services, a branch of the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, conducts feral swine

disease surveillance activities throughout the U.S. In 2009, Wildlife Services began collecting samples from trapped and hunter-harvested feral swine in Ohio.

A wildlife disease biologist with Wildlife Services works with private and public landowners experiencing damage to agricultural and natural resources. Locally, the contact is Eric Householder.

If a property owner suspects damage on their property is caused by feral hogs, they should call the USDA Wildlife Service at 1-86-487-3297 or 614-993-3444.

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COLUMBUS — State agriculture offi cials are keeping a close eye on the skies this fall, as migratory birds pass through Ohio —

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to bio-security measures to ensure chickens and turkeys and other domesticated fowl aren't infected.

"Migration has already started, so we'll see what this virus looks like when it comes back down through from Canada," Tony Forshey, who heads the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Division of Animal Health, said during a recent Q&A session at Ohio State University's Farm Science Review. "We've stepped up bio-security. We've


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had a lot of education outreach on bio-security for our producers and the public in general. We will continue that through this fall."

Poultry is big business in Ohio. The state is the second largest egg producer in the country, with 28 million laying chickens. The state's poultry industry employs more than 14,600 people and pumps $2.3 billion into the state's economy, according to statistics compiled by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

Avian fl u, which is believed to be spread by migrating birds to domestic fl ocks, has affected tens of millions U.S. birds, with Iowa and Minnesota hit hard earlier this year.

"This is the worst livestock disaster this country has ever seen fi nancially," Forshey said. "It's incredibly expensive. We've learned a lot of things now on cleaning and disinfecting and those sorts of things. Those fl ocks are repopulating now in Iowa and Minnesota, and we're just hoping they don't get hit again."

No cases of avian fl u have been identifi ed in Ohio in domestic or wild bird populations. Earlier this year, the agriculture department banned live bird displays at county fairs as a precaution against spreading highly pathogenic avian fl u in Ohio.

Forshey said the state will reevaluate the fair ban at the end of the year to determine whether to continue to bar live bird displays at next year's events.

"We essentially disappointed 9,000 kids this year by not allowing them to show their birds at the fair," he said. "But the positive part of that is I've had a lot of contact from fair boards after fairs were over saying they had some really good, positive education opportunities this year. They implemented some things, very creative, and in fact they tell me next year even if they have birds they're going to still do some of these things. It's pretty neat."

The bottom-line message to producers, Forshey said, is to make sure they're keeping their poultry operations secure and free from outside contaminants, with a focus

on "enhanced bio-security — have their plans in place so that they establish clean areas and dirty areas and watch as they move back and forth between those. Simple things like where do you park your cars as employees... You don't park in between buildings, you park them out away from that and then walk in. It only takes on little mistake in bio-security and you have an outbreak."


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The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) is encouraging Ohioans to vote Yes on State Issue 1, Yes on State Issue 2 and No on State Issue 3.

The state’s most infl uential farm and food organization will engage its grassroots membership in campaigns to inform voters about the three measures on the November ballot.

Farm Bureau’s state trustees recently voted to support Issues 1 and 2; they previously announced their opposition to Issue 3. All three issues deal with amending the state constitution. The board action refl ects organizational policy established by its voting delegates who represent all Ohio county Farm Bureaus.

ISSUE 1 would change the process by which state legislative districts are drawn. Ohio Farm Bureau favors the change because it will establish a transparent process that encourages public input and bipartisan support for newly drawn districts and requires districts to be drawn to keep counties, municipalities and townships as intact as possible. It also promotes a more civil political process by making elections more competitive and encouraging candidates to appeal to a broader base of voters.

ISSUE 2 would limit the ability for wealthy special interests to manipulate the state constitution to create a monopoly, grant a commercial right or specify a tax rate for a person or group of persons. Ohio Farm Bureau believes the state constitution should be reserved for outlining specifi c freedoms and describing how Ohioans govern themselves.

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ISSUE 3 would grant a small group of investors a monopoly on the commercial growing and selling of marijuana. The investors would profi t from an industry estimated to be worth more than $1 billion. In July, Ohio Farm Bureau was among the fi rst statewide groups to oppose its passage saying that the measure distorts Ohio’s Constitution, creates a monopoly that excludes average Ohioans and puts the state at odds with federal law.

OFBF members will receive background and analysis of the issues in the organization’s publications, websites, e-newsletters, social media and its weekly public affairs radio program. Additional information will be shared at county Farm Bureau meetings and other events throughout the state. Members will be provided yard and farm signs, literature and other campaign tools. Farm Bureau also is working with several coalitions of community, business, health and church organizations that share OFBF’s positions.

Ohio voters are asked to learn more about the ballot measures and are encouraged to vote Yes on 1, Yes on 2 and No on 3.

The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation is Ohio’s most inclusive food and farm organization with more than 200,000 members. Its mission is to forge a partnership between farmers and consumers.

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20 FALL 2015

In 2016, the alien-like creatures will emerge from the ground in swarms, invading neighborhoods throughout southeastern Ohio and inducing near-

panic among some inhabitants.Sound like an apocalyptic prophesy, or the summary of

a horror fi lm plot? For some, it practically is.Next year, the newly hatched Brood V of Magicicada

— the periodical cicada — will emerge from the ground, the females of the species will lay their eggs and then will die, beginning the 17-year cycle anew.

But before the passing of an estimated billions of the insects comes that sound that grates on the nerves of some, sending them scurrying indoors when the brood is active and leaving porches, yards and patios vacant.

The sound is generated by the males of the species. Each has a “tymbal” on their abdomens. Moving these organs in and out rapidly creates the characteristic cicada sound.

Females generate a different sound, responding to males with a fl icking of their wings.

Damage from cicadas — though sometimes referred to as “locusts,” they’re not — is not due to the stripping of plants of their leaves. That’s what locusts do. Rather, damage is wrought to trees by cicadas as they lay their eggs, said Clif Little of the Guernsey County OSU Extension offi ce.

“Cicadas don’t feed once they emerge,” he said. “The actual damage is from the female depositing her eggs in the branches of trees. She generally chooses branches that are a half-inch diameter or less. She’ll slice a hole

Story & Photos by | Dan DavisDIX COMMUNICATIONS

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A cicada "straggler” that had just molted found at Salt Fork State Park recently. The 17-year cicadas return here in 2016.

and deposit her eggs. The eggs will develop and pop out of there and develop in the soil. The damage comes from the splitting of the branches. Those branches eventually lose nutrient and water fl ow.”

Lawn mowers or other equipment and even hail can infl ict similar damage to trees, according to Little.

“But cicadas, when they emerge in those massive numbers ... they are particularly destructive,” he said.

What can be done to protect trees from the damage of egg-laying cicadas? Suggestions range from wrapping aluminum foil around trunks to prevent them from climbing to placing netting over trees as a physical barrier to using insect barrier tape. Some have even suggested bagpipe music acts as a deterrent.

Broods of cicadas emerge in different cycles in different years and in different areas throughout portions of the United States. The territory of Brood V includes the approximate eastern two-thirds of Ohio, most of West Virginia, a small portion of southwestern Pennsylvania and small portions of north central Virginia.

Though the 17-year cicadas are perhaps the best known, annually emerging broods do exist, and certain periodical broods follow a 13-year cycle.

Periodical cicadas can emerge in small numbers in off-cycle years. These are known as “stragglers.”Scientists speculate the reason cicadas follow cycles based on the relatively large prime numbers of 13 and 17 is that animal predators generally do not live long enough to synchronize their births and lifespans to coincide with cicada emergences.

And yes, 17-year and 13-year broods do co-emerge in a cicada “perfect storm” every 221 years. Mark your calendars for 2115, the next such occurrence.

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Story & Photos by | Darrin PackAG ANSWERS

Research: Existing Crop Models Can Forecast Yield in

Uncertain Climate Conditions

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A study led by Indiana State Climatologist Dev Niyogi of Purdue University has determined that existing crop models can reliably forecast corn

yields during times of climate variability, specifi cally the El Niño and La Niña systems that infl uence temperature and precipitation in certain growing seasons.

Knowing what kind of yield to expect even in uncertain growing conditions should help climatologists, farmers, agricultural planners and public policymakers more effectively manage the global food supply, Niyogi said.

“We talk about climate change, which occurs over

time, but we all experience climate variability,” Niyogi said. “This study proved that the models we use for looking at long-term trends are equally accurate for the shorter term, although there will still be anomalies, as we experienced this year.”

He noted that the torrential rains that caused fl ooding and damaged crops across parts of the Midwest this season were not a result of El Niño or La Niña but an uncommon confl uence of weather systems.

“Now that we have proven the validity of the concept, we can perhaps begin to think about ways of capturing data from this year so we can develop models for similar conditions in future years,” Niyogi said.

The study, part of the Useful to Useable climate initiative at Purdue, was designed to fi nd out whether existing crop models could accurately capture the impact of previous El Niño and La Niña events on corn yields in the Midwest and whether there was a signifi cant difference in accuracy between local and regional observations.

El Niño and La Niña are phases of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation cycle, also known as ENSO, a term for fl uctuations in surface and atmospheric temperatures in the Pacifi c Ocean. The ENSO cycle has a signifi cant,

HARVEST 23

although temporary, impact on global weather. ENSO systems typically last 9-12 months.

Previous studies have shown that El Niño years tend to be cooler and wetter across the Midwest Corn Belt, resulting in higher corn yields. La Niña years have proven to be warmer and drier, with lower yields.

Based on the Ocean Niño Index, Niyogi and his team identifi ed seven growing seasons that were infl uenced by El Niño and six impacted by La Niña during the period of 1981 to 2010. The team then ran yield simulations using three crop models of varying complexity and compared the results to the U.S. Department of Agriculture actual yield data for those years.

The study showed that there was no signifi cant difference in the outcomes between the two site-specifi c models that were tested - Hybrid-Maize and Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer - and the Integrated Science Assessment Mode can function on a local, regional or global scale.

“One of the challenges in developing climate assessments is that we don’t have data from our backyard,” Niyogi said. “What we found is we should not be limited by lack of local information. We should have confi dence in regional datasets to develop future projections.”

Xing Liu, a graduate research assistant on the project, said the fi ndings could lead to more accurate short-term yield forecasts.

“The regional assessments not only can be used by agricultural research communities, but also can provide useful information to policymakers,” she said.

Otto Doering, a Purdue agricultural economist and member of the research team, said using the models to look at future conditions could change how growers plan their operations. If the models forecast lower yields due to drought conditions from a La Niña event, for example, a farmer might decide to invest in irrigation.

“If we have crop growth models that can track the impact of climate variability, we can look at economic costs into the future,” he said. “In terms of new tools to manage decisions, this is really neat.”

The study has been published in Geophysical Research Letters, a journal of the American Geophysical Union.

The regional assessments not only can be used by agricultural research communities, but also can provide useful information to policymakers...

24 FALL 2015

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26 FALL 2015

There’s a new buzz about beekeeping. As consumers become ever more conscious of where their food comes from and seek to have

a role in its production, an increasing number of people are turning to the ancient practice of beekeeping.

Few in the area, however, have been practicing the art for as long as Andy Hostetler, whose apiary is located in the rolling hills of Holmes County between Fredericksburg and Holmesville.

This year, Hostetler is marking his 40th anniversary as a beekeeper, and he says after all this time he still probably has more questions than answers about many aspects of the hobby — as, he says, is the case with most beekeepers.

Hostetler said he became fascinated with beekeeping in the 1970s when his brother pursued the interest. He said he was attracted to bees because of the way they kept order within their hive, and how they resolutely pursued the purpose for which they were born.

“The Creator created them to do their one thing, which is to make food for mankind,” Hostetler said. “In spite of a changing world, bees do what they have always done. They’re not lazy and they don’t complain.”

He also noted, “These little guys work for me. They’re the only insect that produces human food.”On May 21, 1975, Hostetler said, he bought his fi rst two hives of bees from a neighbor. Between 1975 and 1978 he went from two to six hives — each with between 50,000 and 75,000 bees — and he was producing enough honey for he, his wife and eight children. At that time, he noted, honey was selling for $8 a gallon.In 1980, Hostetler’s hives underwent state inspection for the fi rst time at a cost of $1.

Three years ago Hostetler, who had begun selling beekeeping equipment himself, began packaging and

selling bees. He said he sold honeybees in 3-pound packages for $90 each, with a queen bee packaged separately and shipped with the colony.During shipping, bees are fed sugar water inside the package.

Hostetler said the increase he saw in his own business in recent years convinced him there is a lot of new interest in beekeeping.

“Last year we doubled the package bees we sold, and almost doubled the hive sales this year,” he said. In April he sold 40 packages of bees, and in May sold more than 100.

While beekeepers have for some years been fi ghting varroa mites, which invade the ears of bees and eventually kill them, leading to colony collapse disorder, Hostetler said the larger problem for him has been Ohio winters. He said the bitter cold temperatures have resulted in

Story & Photos by | Paul LocherDIX COMMUNICATIONS

New BuzzAbout Beekeeping

HARVEST 27

substantial winter kills of bees.He said with experience, coupled with trial and error,

has come knowledge of how to get his hives through the winters relatively unscathed.

“The key is you need good ventilation in the wintertime,” he said. “I keep one empty deep super (hive drawer) on top of the hive where it is just a vacant space, like an attic. I cover that with a sleeping blanket.”Also, Hostetler said, you have to allow the hive to go into winter with a good supply of honey and pollen or the bees will starve

“How strong your hive is in the fall will determine whether it will make it through the winter,” he said.He said the ideal temperature that must be maintained in the hive is 93 to 94 degrees, and the bees maintain this by flapping their wings at greater or lesser velocity. He said bees become inactive at 50 degrees and freeze to death if the temperature reaches 32 degrees.

During the rest of the year, Hostetler said, the hives must be protected from rain, and must have good ventilation. In addition, they should be kept in full sun rather than in a wooded environment.

For Hostetler, pure honey from the hives is the sweet reward for his labors and he enjoys sharing it with his friends and neighbors. He said that by the Fourth of July this year he had extracted 97 pounds of honey using a centrifuge.

“From April to July I got more than a pound a day of honey from each hive,” he said.

Hostetler’s advice for those getting into beekeeping or thinking about getting into the hobby is, “Talk to somebody who has been doing this. Don’t just try to learn from a book. Beekeeping is different in every area.”

He also noted that, “It can be costly. Make sure it’s what you really want to do. Go to the big convention they have at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. The speakers there are very good.”

Finally, he said, “Don’t give up, even if you aren’t successful at first. Keep on trying.”

Hostetler, who recently got out of the beekeeping equipment business, selling that operation to Monroe J. Miller at 6925 S. Carr Road, Apple Creek, said honeybee populations are clearly threatened by a variety of forces, and it will take teamwork to assure their survival.

“There are a lot of concerned people trying to preserve bees, and hopefully it will get straightened out. But everybody has to be involved. Everybody has to work together,” he said. “There is no ‘i’ in ‘team,’ and all this has to involve teamwork.”

In the meantime, Hostetler continues to be fascinated with bees and the way they work.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “These little guys really know what they’re doing.”

Reporter Paul Locher can be reached at 330-682-2055 or [email protected]. He’s @plocherTDR on Twitter.

28 FALL 2015

Late summer and fall is a great time to ready the farm for winter by making general repairs, cleaning equipment and storing liquids properly.

The approaching winter creates specifi c hazards around the farm. As the earth freezes walkways become slippery and possible injury to livestock a reality. Regularly laying down salt or sand will prevent unnecessary injury. Farm owners should also be aware of the water run off zones on their properties. Water running from spouts, roofs and other locations may run directly toward walkways.

Fuel and other liquids left in machinery or containers have the potential to freeze. The frozen liquid could then rupture pipes or containers causing expensive repairs.

Fumes emitted from heaters and pressure washers can produce deadly carbon monoxide gas. Practicing caution

while using such devices could save a life.Whether the machinery will be stored all winter or

in use the proper winterization will extend the life of the equipment and ensure its readiness come spring. Owner’s manuals, dealerships and product labels will aid with the process and should be consulted before you begin a project.

Following six simple guidelines will aid in the winterizing of your farm. Inspect, install, check, clean, create and remind are the key words to remember. For your convenience, the six guidelines are compiled on the following page.

If there does end up being some large repair job, scheduling the work for the winter will decrease the likelihood of a delay in the spring.

Story by | Kate MinnichDIX COMMUNICATIONS

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1. INSPECT the entire farm from machinery to equipment to buildings, walkways, gates and pesticides. Conducting repairs, and cleaning the items as needed.

2. INSTALL carbon monoxide alarms within the buildings where non-electric heaters are in use.

3. CHECK the levels of hydraulic fl uid and antifreeze within machinery, replacing the liquids as recommended. In some instances, fi lling the tanks to their fullest capacity will prevent condensation from forming. Water is the leading culprit in winter-related issues. Drain water separators within equipment and replace any water-absorbing fi lters.

4. CLEAN and drain all pesticide application equipment. Use lightweight oil to prepare for storage.

5. CREATE an inventory of all pesticides. Take the time to read the label, noting the expiration dates and storage temperatures. It may be necessary to move certain pesticides to a heated building. Also be sure to store dry pesticides above the liquid pesticides.

6. REMIND anyone who works on the farm that using pressure washers indoors can be potentially hazardous.

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30 FALL 2015

Organic Certifi cation Can Make Dollars and Sense for Your Farm

For many farmers, keeping the family farm up and running can be a challenge, but a growing number of producers are discovering that

organic farming can provide a pathway to profi tability. Converting to organic production is not a decision to

take lightly and the process will be unique to each farm depending on its goals and values. Organic certifi cation requires a systems approach to farming and year-round record keeping. Transitioning farmers can face a signifi cant learning curve, and may need to absorb the costs of organic seed, soil-building practices, and approved inputs, before being able to cash in on the higher prices organic foods merit in the marketplace.

However, many producers fi nd it’s worth the work, as the benefi ts of organic certifi cation can be substantial:

Organic Price PremiumsIt is not uncommon for organic dairy and grains, for

example, to sell for two or three times the price of their conventional counterparts. In August, conventional feed-grade corn and soybeans were trading in the market for around $3.75 and $10 per bushel respectively, compared to roughly $11 for organic corn and more than $23 for organic soybeans during the same period, according to the USDA. Organic Valley’s average pay price in 2015 for organic milk is $34.13/CWT, while the USDA

reports a 2015 average year to date base Class 1 price for conventional milk of $16.33/CWT.

Higher Profi t MarginsIt’s not surprising, then, that a study published this

year in the Proceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences found that even though organic farming can result in lower yields and higher labor costs, the price premium that organic farmers receive makes organic agriculture 22 to 35 percent more profi table.

Competitive YieldsIncreasingly, organic farmers are coming close to

matching conventional yields. Researchers at the University of California Berkeley analyzed 115 studies and found organic yields are about 19 percent lower than conventional ones, although no yield difference was observed for some crops, such as beans and peas. Moreover, methods like multi-cropping and crop rotation were found to substantially reduce the yield gap.

Growing DemandConsumer demand for organic food and fi ber is

growing, creating an opportunity for farmers to supply this expanding market. Eighty-three percent of U.S.

Story by | Lauren KetchamCOMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR, OEFFA

HARVEST 31

families say they buy organic, according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), and more than half said they have increased their organic purchases from a year ago. Sales of organic products in the U.S. broke previous records in 2014, totaling $39.1 billion, up 11.3 percent from the previous year, according to the OTA. More telling, the growth rate of organic food sales, which has averaged almost 10 percent every year since 2010, has dwarfed the average annual growth of just more than 3 percent in total food sales.

Organic Farming in our BackyardThere are a growing number of certifi ed organic farms

across the country and in Ohio responding to these economic opportunities. According to the USDA, there are 19,474 certifi ed organic operations in the U.S., an increase of more than 250 percent since 2002, when the count began. Of those, there are 736 certifi ed organic operations in Ohio, with more than 130 located in Wayne and Holmes counties.

Organic Valley, the largest organic farming cooperative in North America which provides about a third of the nation’s organic milk supply, has 182 farmer-owners in Ohio, many in the northeast part of the state.

For example, Jim and Janice Gasser have more than 80

cows in milk production outside of Wooster, and supply Organic Valley. When they started out, they were the only organic farmers in their area. Today, according to Jim, “Our road is like a row of organic. It doesn’t seem like much in the big scheme of things, but when you drive down our road, there’s continuous organic farming for over two miles.”

Scott and Charlene Stoller are also Organic Valley farmer-owners in Wayne County. Before transitioning to organic, Scott says he would argue that “you cannot feed the world farming organically.” He doesn’t feel that way anymore. “The system has proven itself. It works.” And, the success that organic farming has brought has paved the way for his children to continue in agriculture. “There’s no question that farming organically gives my kids a better chance at farming in the future,” Scott says.

The Basics of Organic FarmingThe National Organic Standards Board defi nes organic

agriculture as “an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity.” Organic producers are prohibited from using genetically engineered seed, feed, or ingredients, and most synthetic

“Organic” Continues on pg 33

32 FALL 2015

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products and chemicals. Organic livestock must be provided access to the outdoors and organic ruminants must be on pasture during the grazing season. Organic animals are prohibited from receiving growth hormones or antibiotics.

The Organic Certifi cation ProcessTo become certifi ed, each year a farmer must fi ll out an

Organic System Plan, which describes in detail how he/she will manage his/her certifi ed land, crops, and animals. A certifi cation agency reviews the plan to verify it meets the national organic standards. An inspector travels to the farm to observe farming practices and review records and receipts. Finally, the certifi er reviews the client’s fi le again, including the inspector’s report, and issues a certifi cate if the farm meets the organic standards.

Organic Transition Resources are AvailableThere are resources available to help farmers

understand the transition process and to make the costs of organic certifi cation more affordable.

Through support from the USDA National Organic Program’s Sound and Sensible initiative, this winter OEFFA will be releasing an updated Organic Transition Guide and Organic Transition Workbook to help transitioning farmers or organic farmers transitioning new land or livestock to organic production. OEFFA’s website also offers many additional resources for current and prospective organic farmers. Fact sheets on various topics, including treated wood, crop rotation, organic labeling, and record keeping templates are available on the website, or in print form by request.

Certifi ed producers and handlers can receive National Organic Certifi cation Cost-Share Program reimbursements for 75 percent of their certifi cation costs, up to a maximum of $750 per certifi cation scope. This OEFFA-administered program offsets one of the costs of certifi cation and recognizes the many benefi ts that organic farming provides to our communities.

Lauren Ketcham is the Communications Coordinator for the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA), a statewide, grassroots, nonprofi t organization working to create and promote a sustainable and healthful food and farming system. OEFFA operates one of the country’s largest and most respected USDA-accredited organic certifi cation agencies. For more information, go to www.oeffa.org.

“Organic” Continued from pg 31

34 FALL 2015


Water Quality Panel

COLUMBUS — It will take a lot of money or a lot more regulation and tax consequences to achieve short-term, large-scale reductions

in farm fi eld runoff that have contributed to the state's toxic algae issues, according to one Ohio State University economics professor.

And Brent Sohngen, professor in OSU's Department Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics, said existing programs probably are not suffi cient to meet the 40 percent phosphorus reduction being sought by some state offi cials.

"Individual farms are a minuscule part of the problem, even if they happen to apply manure in the middle of winter...," he said. "I think that if you're going to have some actual regulations that would have an impact, they'd have to dig a lot deeper than that. They'd have to get substantially more extensive in terms of regulating the amount of phosphorus and nitrogen applied every year to have an actual impact."

Sohngen was one of the speakers featured in a panel discussion on water quality issues at this year's Farm Science Review, a large-scale agricultural trade and research show that takes place annually about a half an hour west of Columbus.

One focus of the discussion was this session's Senate Bill 1, which was passed by state lawmakers in March

and signed into law by Gov. John Kasich.The new law prohibits manure and fertilizer

applications onto northwestern Ohio farm fi elds during soggy weather or freezing temperatures unless the nutrients are injected or incorporated into the soil within 24 hours or applied to growing crops. Farmers who ignore the restrictions could face fi nes.

Additionally, the legislation requires increased monitoring and testing of phosphorous levels at certain publicly owned treatment facilities and restricts the disposal of dredge material, among numerous other provisions.

Lawmakers have said the legislation is not the fi nal solution to the harmful algal blooms that have hit Lake Erie and other areas of the state, and they are eying additional legislation and policy changes to further address the issue.

There's no silver bullet to fi x the situation quickly, said Sam Custer, an OSU Extension educator from Darke County.

"We have a lot of work to do in this area...," he said. "It's occurred over many, many years, and it's going to take some time to work through this and try to come up with a solution."

Custer said heavy rains in the state through July have added to algae issues this year.

HARVEST 35

"As I looked at the charts this morning, much of Lake Erie has algal blooms in it...," he said, adding that most of the areas are ranked in the medium range, not severe.

Glen Arnold, state fi eld specialist for manure nutrient management systems and an associate professor at OSU Extension, questioned how much of a role livestock farmers are having in the algae situation.

He used northwest Ohio as an example — the manure produced by livestock in that area of the state provide less than 23 percent of the phosphorus needed by corn, soybeans and wheat grown annually in the western Lake Erie basin.

"We don't have an excess of phosphorus in northwest Ohio by any stretch," he said, adding later, "A lot of times in the media, livestock is the whipping boy of the media. It's just important to point out, I think, that we're a relatively small percentage of all the phosphorus in the watershed."

Sohngen said, based on his calculations, the recent legislative changes won't have a huge impact on water quality.

"The state is saying it needs a 40 percent reduction in phosphorus emissions... that's an enormous threshold to meet," he said. "I don't think there's any [existing] voluntary/subsidy program ... that would actually get us to that 40 percent reduction. ... We could use the programs we have to get a measurable reduction, I don't doubt that. But it's not going to be the reduction that everybody says we need to solve the water quality problem we have."

Accomplishing the latter, he said, will require broader-based programs, different incentives for farmers and regulations on the amount of phosphorus and nitrogen applied to fi elds.

"Our current regulatory system or our current subsidy system is not leading to any desired reduction...," he said. "If you want to use these less effective methods, it's just going to cost more."


"The state is saying it needs a 40 percent reduction in phosphorus emissions... that's an enormous threshold to meet."

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Story by |Tracy TurnerOHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Beef cattle producers who want boost their profi t potential and become more competitive in the cattle industry can

learn how by attending the 2016 Ohio Beef Cattle School series Jan. 19, Feb. 2 and 16, taught by experts from Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Scienes.

The three-session program will include a wide range of topics focusing on management decisions that producers can make to take full advantage of the beef economic outlook in the present and prepare for the long term, said John Grimes, beef coordinator for Ohio State University Extension and a member of the OSU Extension Beef Team.

The overall goal of the program, he said, is to help producers continue to take advantage of the increasing consumer demand for high-quality beef products as well as position themselves for continued long-term success.

“It’s been a great year for producers thanks to lower corn prices, improved pasture conditions and increased domestic demand,” Grimes said. “this workshop series is designed to provide producers with the information they need to keep them competitive and help them make their operations more profi table for the long term.”

OSU Extension and Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center researchers and educators will teach the workshops. OSU Extension and OARDC are the outreach and research arms, respectively, of the college.

Each workshop begins at 7 p.m., will be broadcast via Internet and can be viewed at several host locations that will be announced later this year. The workshop topics will also be announced at that time, Grimes said.

For more information on the beef school, contact Grimes at 740-289-2071, ext. 242.

Save the date:

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Jan. 19, Feb. 2 and 16

38 FALL 2015

$4 Million Flows into Water Quality Research

The Ohio Board of Regents and a consortium of Ohio universities and state agencies are investing $4 million in 18 research and development efforts

aimed at solving water quality and algal toxicity issues in the western Lake Erie basin.

Critical activities include developing a warning network for harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie and research into currently unknown effects of algal toxins on human health, fi sh and food crops.

Story by | Maureen LangloisAG ANSWERS

HARVEST 39

Other projects focus on detection and treatment technologies that will eliminate drinking water crises such as the one that affected Toledo and other lakefront communities in August 2014.

“This research will start answering the most urgent questions related to water quality in Lake Erie,” said Bruce McPheron, vice president for agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University.

McPheron and Thomas Bridgeman, professor of environmental sciences at the University of Toledo, co-chaired a working group of 60 water quality experts from Ohio universities, state agencies and the Ohio Board of Regents that identifi ed priority investment areas for greatest impact in addressing and preventing harmful algal blooms, also known as HABs, in coming years.

In addition to detection and treatment technologies for HABs, the consortium is investing to reduce pollutants fl owing into the lake. One project, led by CFAES’s outreach arm, Ohio State University Extension, and Heidelberg University’s National Center for Water Quality Research, aims to create an early warning system for high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen, the main chemical contributors to the formation of HABs.

Another set of projects advances more sensitive technologies that allow researchers to distinguish problematic forms of pollutants such as phosphorus.

“Our strong statewide effort will help protect water supplies from potential blooms this summer while we look for the most effi cient ways to prevent future blooms,” said Bridgeman, who will lead the development of an HAB detection, mapping and warning network for western Lake Erie’s Maumee Bay.

The projects include research teams from Ohio State, the University of Toledo, Kent State University, Heidelberg University and Bowling Green State University, along with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio Department of Agriculture.

A total of $2 million in project funds will fl ow from the Ohio Board of Regents, with another $2 million in matching funds coming from the universities.

“This collaborative effort is evidence of the value of higher education in Ohio to solving the toxic algae issue,” said Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor John Carey.

The Ohio Sea Grant program, headquartered at Ohio State, will oversee project management and execution.

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The Boyce Family Life-long FarmersStory by | Gayle AgnewDIX COMMUNICATIONS

They never considered anything but farming. Matt and Ruth Boyce, owners of Marhaven Jersey Farm in Knox Township, both grew up working

on a farm. Ruth was raised in Goshen Township on the Phillis

Dairy Farm, where they had Holstein cows. She was a member of Meadowbrook Country 4-H Club.

Matt grew up on what he calls the “home farm” — owned by his grandpa, Horace Dye, and operated by his uncle, Marvin Dye, who lived around the corner. Matt’s father was an airline pilot, so the rest of the family worked the farm.

Matt’s family raised dairy cattle and crops. The couple now lives and works on the 100-acre spread. Out of two sisters and one brother, Matt is the only farmer of the family.

“I worked for farmers while I was in high school and I’ve had not other jobs,” Matt said. “Ruth never had any other job either.”

When asked what they liked about their choice of profession, Ruth said, “Getting to spend time with family, teaching our kids what hard work can bring you.”

Other benefits include being their own bosses and getting to be together all the time. “Not many people get

to be together 24/7,” Ruth said with a smile. The Boyces will celebrate 26 years of marriage Oct.

14. They have four children, Racheal, 26; Courtney, 22; Russell, 20; and David, 15, who is a sophomore at West Branch High School and a member of FFA.

At the recent Canfield Fair, the couple had 13 head of their best Jersey cows on display. Son David showed a heifer and took first place.

The family has some other award-winning Jerseys: two-time grand champions at The Ohio State Fair and the Supreme Grand Champ several times at the Canfield Fair. In addition, Marhaven Farm’s Jerseys have won awards at the National Jersey Show in Louisville, Kentucky, and at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin.

Back at the farm, the couple has no hired help. They milk twice a day — at 4 a.m. and 4 p.m. — and it takes two and a half hours from start to finish, Ruth added. Despite working in the barn, Ruth also cooks a full meal every night and, of course, the couple has a garden and freezes produce to use in the off-season.

Matt added that his mother, Dana Boyce, who lives on the farm in a smaller house, has always been there to help.

330-455-5997330-455-5998 fax

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Winter Indoor Farmers Market9-Noon • 1st & 3rd

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46 FALL 2015

Ingredients:1lb. lean ground beef. 4 mushrooms, chopped3 ears of fresh corn kernels, or 1 1/2 cups frozen corn1 medium onion, chopped3 tablespoons butter1 onion, finely chopped2 cloves garlic, minced1 medium zucchini, diced1 medium yellow squash, diced2 medium tomatoes, diced2 tablespoons basil1 tablespoons oreganoKosher salt and ground black pepper to taste1 1/2 cups cooked long grain rice6 bell peppers1 cup shredded fontina cheese or monterey jack cheese

Directions:1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Brown the ground beef for 5 minutes or until nearly done. Add the mushrooms, corn kernels, onion and garlic. Cook until vegetables are softened. Stir in tomatoes, basil and oregano. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 15- 20 minutes. Stir in cooked rice and cook for another 5 minutes or until the rice is warmed through.

3. Cut bell peppers in half and spoon out the seeds, then rinse. Microwave for 5 minutes or until they start to soften.

4. Place peppers into 3 qt. baking dish. Fill peppers with hot meat mixture. Sprinkle cheese on top and bake for 20 minutes or until peppers are tender and cheese is browned.

In celebration of our current harvests from the fi elds, here are a few recipes that will make your mouth water.

Our main course is composed of stuffed bell peppers. These bell peppers are not the sauerkraut fi lled green peppers your mother made. Filled with ground beef, mushrooms, corn, zucchini and many other farm fresh materials, this version is guaranteed to please any picky eater.

What would a dinner be without dessert. Warm your belly with a nice helping of Apple Cobbler. This time of year offers several different varieties of apples to choose from so fi nding that perfect apple could be diffi cult. Combining two different kinds, a sweet apple with a tart apple, makes a great combination. No matter which apple you choose the dish is sure to please any apple pie enthusiast.

Servings: 6

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HARVEST 47

Ingredients:5 tablespoons margarine or Ohio butter3/4 cup brown sugar1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder1/2 cup white sugar1/4 teaspoon salt1 cup flour1 Ohio egg3/4 cup Ohio milk6 cups fresh Ohio apples, sliced1 to 2 cups Goldenrush Cider3/4 teaspoon cinnamon1/4 cup brown sugar

Directions:1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Melt margarine or butter in 2 1/2 quart casserole dish.

3. In medium bowl, mix brown sugar, baking powder, white sugar, salt, and flour together.

3. In small bowl, mix egg and milk together

4. Add egg and milk mixture to dry ingredients. Mix well and pour over melted butter in dish. Place apples over mixture in dish. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour.

Servings: 6

The following apple varieties cook to the ideal texture of soft slices: Suncrisp, Honeycrisp, Jonathaon, Stayman Winesap, and Golden Delicious. Granny Smith, McIntosh and Cortland should be reserved for apple sauce or like textured options; Red Delicious are not recommended for baking.

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48 FALL 2015

Agricultural Community Review

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Harvest Magazine, Fall 2015

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