Abbi Bolin-Ervin, a member of the Athens FFA, made history by being the first from her chapter to compete at the National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. Growing up in a family with a dairy farm since 1918, Bolin-Ervin has been showing dairy since the age of six. She won the state contest and went on to place in the silver division at the national level in the Dairy Cattle Handlers Career Development Event. Bolin-Ervin credits her success to her father and her FFA advisor, Sabrina Stalder. She is currently a college freshman aiming to obtain her American FFA Degree and plans to support her high school FFA chapter.

Luckey Farmers, Inc. and Ida Farmers Cooperative members have approved a merger, effective February 1, 2024. The merger was supported by 86% of Luckey Farmers and 87% of Ida Farmers members. The combined cooperative will operate 11 locations across Northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, with headquarters in Woodville, Ohio. The initial board will have 12 directors representing different geographical districts.

As hay making season concludes and feeding season nears, Christine Gelley of the Ohio State University Extension emphasizes the importance of hay testing for livestock feed decisions. Hay tests, cheaper than a single round bale, inform feed type and quantity purchases. Extension offers tools, personnel, and consultation for hay testing, which involves collecting subsamples from bales, analyzing forage nutritive values, and understanding key terms like Dry Matter, Crude Protein, and Relative Feed Value. Proper interpretation with a professional can optimize livestock productivity.

The 2023 soybean growing season in Ohio was marked by unusual weather patterns, including cool soils, a strange drought with moist soil underneath, and a period of nonstop rain. These conditions led to a variety of soybean diseases such as Phytophthora, Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, and sudden death syndrome (SDS). Ohio State University plant pathologist Horatio Lopez-Nicora and his PhD student Jenna Moore have been studying SDS, evaluating different species of the fungus, and testing treatments. White mold and frogeye leaf spot were also observed, with the latter becoming more prevalent in northern Ohio. The discussion between Dusty Sonnenberg, a Field Leader with the Ohio Soybean Council, and Horatio Lopez-Nicora provides insights into the disease issues faced by soybeans and considerations for future growing seasons.

The Ohio Forestry Association Foundation has opened its grant application period on September 15, 2023, for small-scale conservation education projects with a maximum grant of $2,500. Applications are accepted until October 13, with selections announced by December 1 for use in the next year. Past grants have supported a variety of educational initiatives, including the purchase of a portable sawmill, sponsorship of a forestry station at a State Envirothon, and funding for forestry programming at an Environmental Learning Center.

United Producers, Inc., the Midwest's largest livestock marketing cooperative, has launched the Vacc-60 program in partnership with Tennessee Farmers Coop. The program aims to increase the farm-gate value of weaned calves through comprehensive management, including animal health, nutrition, marketing, credit, and risk management. Bill Tom, Executive Vice President of Livestock Marketing, expressed that the program is intended to produce healthier, more profitable cattle and enhance their marketability.

Lisa Frost from Bloomingburg has been appointed as the accounting coordinator for the Ohio Farm Bureau. She brings experience from her previous role as finance director for Heritage Memorial Church and as office manager for the Ohio State Fair Sheep Department. Frost, who has a background in agriculture communications from Michigan State University and is a 30-year member of the Fayette County Farm Bureau, also operates Frostaire Farms with her husband.

The Franklin County Farm Bureau will host an event at Waterman Farm, The Ohio State University, featuring tours, a 'Make your own pizza' station, and dinner prepared by OSU Hospitality students. Local businesses, including Micelli Cheese and Phoenix Marketing, will contribute, and Ohio wines and brews will be available from Plum Run Winery and Grove City Brewery. The event aims to educate guests about agriculture and local produce.

The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) program is offering four open grant programs to fund sustainable agricultural practices in the North Central region of the United States. These grants are targeted at farmers, ranchers, scientists, educators, and various organizations within the 12 states of the region. The programs aim to advance agricultural innovation that supports economic viability, environmental stewardship, and community quality of life. Details and registration for informational Zoom meetings about each grant program are available online.

The 2023 Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Golf Invitational raised over $100,000 for scholarships, grants, and programs supporting agricultural communities and careers. The event, held at Pinnacle Golf Club in Grove City on June 26, hosted 156 golfers. Nationwide was the title sponsor, and the foundation expressed gratitude to all sponsors and participants. The funds will help inspire and educate the next generation of agricultural professionals in Ohio.

With wheat harvest in progress in Ohio, farmers are planting double-crop soybeans and using livestock manure to provide moisture for crop emergence. Swine and dairy manure can add moisture if soybeans are properly covered with soil to prevent damage from manure's salt and nitrogen. It's crucial to monitor soil phosphorus levels. Manure application rates are given, and the importance of not incorporating manure with emerged soybeans is stressed due to potential damage. Manure incorporation prior to planting should avoid the planting zone to prevent emergence issues. Manure application can also kill frost-seeded red clover. Farmers in the Western Lake Erie Basin must adhere to weather forecast rules when surface applying manure.

Syngenta has opened a new Seeds R&D Innovation Center in Malta, Illinois, aimed at accelerating advancements in agricultural seed products and services. The facility, situated in the North American Corn Belt, will enable real-time farmer feedback and support Syngenta's commitment to improving germplasm performance and promoting regenerative agriculture. The 88-acre, 100,000-square-foot center is part of Syngenta's $1.48 billion annual global investment in seed R&D and joins 150 other R&D production sites worldwide.

Jenna Moore, a Ph.D. student at Ohio State University, is researching the impact of planting dates on soybean and corn seedling diseases. Partnering with the OSU Extension Agronomic Crops Team, the study utilizes various methods to isolate pathogens from seedlings and soil, focusing on water molds and fungi. Early findings suggest a prevalence of Fusarium isolates in early planting dates, with molecular identification to follow. Results will be shared at the end of the summer.

Jeffrey Stimmell, an agricultural educator and FFA advisor at Big Walnut High School, was named the Ohio Golden Owl Award winner at the 95th Ohio FFA Convention. The award, recognizing the Ohio Agricultural Educator of the Year, is a prestigious honor in agricultural education. Stimmell is celebrated for his student-driven motivation, inclusive approach, and his success in expanding the FFA program. He has also led his students to national and state FFA championships. The award, supported by organizations like Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau, included 500 nominations, with Stimmell and nine other honorees being recognized for their contributions to agricultural education.

The Ohio Pork Council has partnered with SAME Café, a community-based nonprofit in Toledo, Ohio, donating $2,000 to purchase ground pork and bacon for those in need. This contribution is part of the OPC's Pork Power initiative, which aims to provide high-quality protein to people in Northwest Ohio, especially during challenging economic times. SAME Café's Executive Director, Rori Quinonez, expressed gratitude for the donation, highlighting the scarcity of high-quality animal protein for their meals. Nick Seger, president of the OPC, emphasized the agricultural community's commitment to giving back, especially in light of the increased need due to economic conditions.