Comments from Vilsack about milk pricing law

It seems that the Farm Bill has been shadowed by all the discussion about the fiscal cliff, but it is closely related. As a dairy products lover, this article has me concerned. Comments from Vilsack about milk pricing law Here's hoping that an agreement can be reached very soon and that Congress is able to finally pass a Farm Bill this year. No Farm Bill could result in some pretty drastic changes for everyone.

Merry Christmas to you! (And be sure to leave some milk for Santa with his cookies.)

Darrell Kick visits Coshocton & Tuscarawas counties

Darrell Kick, field representative for Congressman Bob Gibbs, visited Coshocton & Tuscarawas counties on August 9 as part of the OSU Extension Congressional Assistants' Tour.

First stop was the Dale & Doug Everett Farm for a roundtable discussion with some area farmers on current agriculture issues - especially the Farm Bill and the drought.


Steve Quillin, Wendell Waters, Greg Waters, Matt Durbin, Chris Zoller (OSUE ANR
Educator in Tusc County), Dale Everett, Doug Everett, Darrell Kick, and Luke Durbin 



 Then we headed to Lake Park to meet with Coshocton County Master Gardener Volunteers and learn about the Phenology Garden. The volunteers monitor specific plants and record the times at which those plants bloom and insects become active. This information is collected in a state and national database that helps gardeners and farmers all over the country.

Gail Piper, Tammi Rogers, Teresa Donley, Betty Williams, and Darrell Kick

 Darrell also had a chance to visit with Mary Thomas, a participant in Annie's Project - a 6 week program for women in agriculture. Mary shared that the program examines the types of risks that farmers encounter and how to best manage those risks. Annie's Project will be offered this January - March, so be sure to check in later for more details.

Darrell Kick and Mary Thomas

 Then on August 10, Darrell and I toured several sites in Columbus that highlighted some exciting efforts of Extension and OARDC. We learned about topics like functional foods, shale oil and gas, reducing phosphorus in waterways, bed bugs, antibiotics, local foods, 4-H STEM (science, technology engineering and math) activities and the proposed Farm Bills.  

Libby Dayton explaining current research to improve Ohio's phosphorus risk index.

A congressional assistant befriends a Jersey calf at Waterman Farm.

One of the community gardens from Extension efforts in a neighborhood near OSU campus.



Darrell and Emily at the Ohio 4-H Center