outlook on

Agriculture
March 2014
a special supplement to

THE DELPHOS HERALD

Honey Bees Boost Crops Gearing up for spring Canning & Preserving Agriculture in Ohio Creating growth

2 The Herald Agricultural Tab

March 2014

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March 2014

The Herald Agricultural Tab 3

LAND MARKETING SPECIALISTS

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For Some Owners, It May be Your Best Time to Sell a Farm or Equipment.

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4 The Herald Agricultural Tab

Focuses on Ohios agricultural heritage including the ways that farming has shaped our landscape, our culture and our economy.

Agriculture in Ohio

March 2014

cation, and entertainment, the fair played an important role in the development of agriculture in Ohio. Governor James M. Cox, who served two terms, 1913-1915 and 1917-1921, was influential in the advancement of scientific farming. Cox grew up on a farm and hoped to encourage young people to stay on the farm instead of moving to the city. He increased state support for agricultural experiments and education, particularly in rural and village schools. During the Great Depression, Ohio farmers struggled to deal with severe droughts and erratic weather, in addition to the economic troubles prevalent throughout the country. The Agriculture Adjustment Act of 1933, passed during the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, created programs that increased the price of farm goods by limiting the amount on the market. Farm income rose significantly as a result. Three years later, the act was declared unconstitutional. Other Depression-era programs were the Soil Conservation Act of 1936, through which Ohio farmers replaced soil-depleting crops with soil-enriching crops, and the Rural Electrification Act, which brought electric power to many farmers for the first time. Demand for farm goods skyrocketed during World War II, and production increased correspondingly. The labor shortage that resulted from farmers joining the military was in part eased by migrant workers from Mexico and the West Indies. Also, more than 8,000 German and Italian prisoners of war worked on farms and in food processing plants in Bowling Green, Celina, Defiance and other cities. Ohioans also planted Victory Gardens in their yards or communities to grow their own food so that farm produce could be sent overseas to feed soldiers and allies. After World War II, many Ohio farmers were able to invest in mechanized equipment, such as twine binders, self-propelled combines, corn pickers, and tractors, which greatly improved efficiency. The percentage of farms that had electric power increased through the 1940s, which also boosted productivity. In the late 1960s, soybeans were introduced in Ohio and quickly joined corn as one of the top crops grown in the state. The second half of the twentieth century witnessed a decline in the number of Ohioans involved in agriculture. Dropping prices and a rising cost of living pushed Ohioans into non-agricultural jobs in cities and subSee AGRICULTURE, page 5

Ohios state boundaries enclose 41,222 square miles. The southeast part of the state was not shaped by glaciers, and thus has more hills and generally poorer soil than unglaciated areas of Ohio. With a growing season of approximately 160 days and 3040 inches of rain annually, all crops common to the Temperate Zone can be grown and all types of livestock raised. Agriculture in what would later become the state of Ohio began with the Adena culture (1000 B.C.-A.D. 200). Archaeological evidence suggests that the Adena people grew pumpkins, gourds, sunflowers, and maize (corn). They used tools made of stone, animal bones, and tortoise shells to clear and cultivate the land. Later American Indian culturesthe Hopewell and Ft. Ancient peoplesalso grew maize, along with beans, squash, and tobacco. Maize was the most important crop. American Indian women planted kernels in small hills, then planted beans among the corn hills that climbed the corn stalks. Women were also responsible for pounding the maize into meal. American Indians of the historic period, which included the Wyandots, Shawnees, Delawares, Miamis, Mingoes, and Ottawas, used the same tools and grew many of the same crops as did the prehistoric Adena, Hopewell, and Ft. Ancient cultures. Those included maize, beans, squash, gourds, pumpkins, muskmelons, and watermelons. Especially important were sunflowers, which produced oil for cooking and cosmetic use, and tobacco, which men used in ceremonies and religious rites. After white settlers arrived in the Ohio country, the American Indians acquired iron tools, such as hoes and hatchets, and adopted some European farming methods. Most American Indian groups were removed from Ohio by 1825; the last group departed in 1842. Early European settlers who moved to the Northwest Territory or the new state of Ohio around the turn of the nineteenth century had to clear native ash, beech, maple, oak, black walnut, chestnut, and sycamore trees before they could plant their first crops. Clearing land for farming involved pulling up the smallest trees and roots, cutting down and burning medium-sized trees,

The Land

Twentieth-Century Agriculture

American Indian Agriculture

Nineteenth-Century Agriculture

girdling large trees, or cutting a groove in the tree trunks so that they would eventually die and fall over. Settlers used some of the logs to build their homes. Early Ohio farmers used tools and methods common to their former homes in other states or countries. Typical tools included a hoe and harrow for working the soil, an ox- or horse-drawn plow, and a scythe or cradle for cutting grain. Corn was the most important crop. In 1850, Ohio led the nation in agricultural production of corn, wool, horses, and sheep. Important factors in the growth of agriculture in the state were the canals, roads, and railroads that allowed for convenient transport of farm products to markets both east and west of Ohio. After 1850, Ohio lost ground to the prairie states, although agriculture remained a vital part of Ohios economy. Innovations in equipment brought changes to the practice of farming. The horse-drawn grain reaper invented by Cincinnatian Obed Hussey in the 1830s, and a similar one made by Cyrus McCormick, resulted in significant savings in time and energy, although theye were expensive, costing about $150 in 1840. Labor shortages during the Civil War helped speed the introduction of new devices, like the reaper, steam engine-powered threshing machines, sulky plows, and other types of equipment. Fruit culture was also important in nineteenth-century Ohio. One of the states most famous pioneers, John Chapman, is better known as Johnny Appleseed. Chapman planted apple trees around the state to sell to

settlers. The Rome Beauty apple developed from a single tree planted in Rome Township, Lawrence County in 1817. Cincinnati and the Lake Erie area were well-suited to growing grapes. Nicholas Longworth of Cincinnati is famous for developing the Catawba grape. Other important fruit crops were peaches, pears, and cherries. County Agricultural Societies and the State Board of Agriculture County agricultural societies in Ohio, first established in Marietta soon after settlement, were slow to gain popularity, but grew in number and strength through the second half of the nineteenth century. Modeled after societies in England and the eastern United States, the purpose of the societies was to encourage better farming through information-sharing and competition. The societies held fairs and awarded prizes. In 1846, the General Assembly passed legislation that established a secure funding mechanism for county societies, which greatly encouraged their growth. By 1860, 84 of Ohios 88 counties had an agricultural society. Also in 1846, the state legislature created the state Board of Agriculture, the forerunner of the present-day Department of Agriculture. The boards chief activity was initially to hold an annual convention, and later to organize the state fair. Cincinnati was the host city for the first state fair in 1850, making Ohio the second U.S. state to sponsor a state fair. After several years in which the location of the fair moved around the state, the Ohio State Fair found a permanent home in Columbus. Combining competition, edu-

March 2014 (Continued from page 4) urbs. Many of those who remained on the farm had to take second jobs to make ends meet. While both the number of farmers and percentage of Ohio residents who were farmers have grown smaller since the mid20 century, the average farm size and output increased. Despite the encroachment of cities and suburbs on farms, almost half of Ohios land is used for farming and agriculture remains a dominant force in the states economy. Early experiments in agricultural education failed in Ohio. Not until the establishment of the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1873 did the state have a successful institution of higher learning devoted to agriculture. Its success was qualified, however, as liberal arts studies, part of the schools curriculum from the beginning, overshadowed its agricultural program. In 1878, the schools name changed to the Ohio State University, reflecting its broader focus. In 1882, the university established an agricultural experiment station to bolster the agriculture program. The Hatch Act of 1887, a federal act that provided funding for such activities, was a response to the land-grant universities abandonment of their agricultural and mechanical roots. In 1892, the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station (known today as the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center) moved from the university at Columbus, to Wooster, Ohio, in Wayne County. While the university and agricultural experiment station offered formalized training for farmers, other educational opportunities were also available. Farmers institutes, sponsored by the state Board of Agriculture beginning in 1880, were held around the state. The institutes offered farmers a chance to learn and socialize. Combining education and fun was the goal of another farmers organization, the Ohio State Grange. Organized in 1872, it was unique in admitting women to full membership and focusing on all aspects of farm life. Albert Belmont Graham started 4-H in Clark County in 1902 to teach children about agriculture, geology, and natural history through practical application and to build character. Three years after founding the organization, Graham became the first superintendent of agricultural extension in Ohio. The purpose of extension, as elaborated in the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, was to aid in diffusing among the people of the United States useful and practical information in subjects relating to agriculture and home economics and to encourage the application of the same. Extension exemplified a land-grant universitys duty to conduct research, provide education, and serve the public. Building communities and increasing knowledge of scientific farming methods were two important goals, achieved chiefly through research, publications, and meetings. Both 4-H and agricultural extension are still active organizations. Another federal act, the Smith-Hughes Act of 1917, encouraged vocational training in public schools in the areas of agriculture, home economics, and the building trades. This development paved the way for the formation of the Future Farmers of America Association in 1928. The organization aimed to prepare members for careers in agriculture and related professions. In 2000, the Ohio FFA had more than 20,000 members. Bibliography Brown, John T. Agriculture in Ohio: Its Beginning and Development. Columbus, Ohio Department of Agriculture, 1940. Burkett, Charles William. History of Ohio Agriculture: A Treatise on the Development of the Various Lines and Phases of Farm Life in Ohio. Concord: Rumford Press, 1900. Cunningham, John F. The Story of Ohio Agriculture. Unpublished typescript, [1960?]. Did You Know. Ohio Department of Agriculture. Web Site. April 10, 2003. <http://www.ohioaginfo.com/general_didyouknow.htm>. The Evolution of 4-H. Ohio 4-H Youth Development. Web Site. April 10, 2003. <http://www.ohio4H.org/history.htm>. History of Extension. Ohio State University Extension. Web Site. April 10, 2003. <http://edn.ag.ohio-state.edu/newpersonnel/history_of_extension.htm>. Hurt, R. Douglas. Ohio Agriculture Since World War II. Ohio History. 1999

The Herald Agricultural Tab 5 (97): 50-71. Jones, Robert Leslie. History of Agriculture in Ohio to 1880. Kent: Kent State University Press, 1983. Knepper, George W. Ohio and Its People. 2d ed. Kent: Kent State University Press, 1997. n Ohio FFA History. Ohio FFA Association. Web Site. April 10, 2003. <http://www. ohioffa.org/about/ffahistory/1920/voc1. shtml>. Roseboom, Eugene H. and Francis P. Weisenburger. A History of Ohio .Columbus: The Ohio Historical Society, 1991. Ohio. Department of Agriculture. The Farmers Centennial History of Ohio 18031903. Springfield: Springfield Publishing Co., State Printers, 1904. Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. Web Site. July 17, 2001. <http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/www/ history.html>.

Agricultural Education

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Genetically modified foods, or GMOs, have been a topic of heated conversation for the last several months. People have strong opinions on both sides of the GMO debate. In January 2014, retail giant General Mills decided to produce GMO-Free Cheerios, one of its most popular and well-known cereals. This move now makes shopping for a GMOfree cereal that much easier. However, finding other products that do not contain GMOs may not be so simple, and consumers may have to do some research. Food companies in the United States are not required to label foods to indicate use of GMOs. It is safe to assume that corn and soybeans produced in the United States are genetically modified. Papayas are often modified as well. Produce that has been genetically modified will have a bar code that starts with the digit "8." One way to avoid GMOs is to buy only organic foods, which, in many instances, are GMOfree thanks to stringent regulations. In terms of other foods, it very well may be aguessing game. Speaking with a brand's customer service department may be the best way to learn if they offer any GMO-free products.

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6 The Herald Agricultural Tab

March 2014

Gearing up for spring

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Weve established a list of six easy-to-perform planter maintenance tips that will make sure your planter is ready to do its job efficiently, resulting in an optimal yield at years end. So, prior to heading into the field this spring, be sure to 1. Level the Planter: This is a very important step when preparing to hit the fields for planting. The planter should be level or running slightly uphill. If its running downhill, it will likely throw the roll unit off, causing a loss of depth, loss of ground pressure, and a loss of closing wheel pressure. Take a level and put it against the front of the beam to make sure its level or running slightly uphill for optimal performance. 2. Check Tire Pressure: As is the case with any vehicle, proper tire inflation levels are critical. Optimal tire pressure levels on the planter will ensure proper depth control and proper operation throughout the process. Refer to the operators manual for ideal tire pressure levels and be sure to align those levels with all tires across your planter. 3. Check Row Unit Bushings: Checking up on bushings is a cheap and easy way to keep your planter from chattering in the fields. A lot of chatter and movement in your bushings can result in a loss of depth in seed placement. Simply grab a hold of the unit and see if you can move it. If theres any movement occurring at all, its likely time to replace the bushings and make the unit nice and tight. 4. Check Condition of Disks: Disks that are in good condition ensure an even emergence of the crop being planted. Its very common to see crops appear in a W pattern if the disks are worn down too much, which could result in a loss of yield. A good way to test is to take the disk and measure across. It should be more than 14 inches wide at all points and if the number is less, the disk should be replaced. 5. Check Shafts, Bearings, and Chain: The hex shaft and bearings on the planter should be turning easily. First, grab the hex shaft and make sure you can spin it by hand, if you cant, you may need to replace bearings. Also, make sure your chains arent worn out. Check to confirm theres no tight spots, and keep them well lubricated. If you dont keep chains on the planter lubricated, you will likely experience chattering in your roll unit and the possibly of losing seeds and/or uneven distribution. 6. Check Seed Metering System: The seed disk and metering system are critical parts of seed distribution. As normal wear is normal on seed disks, too much wear can begin to affect the planting process through frequent skips, doubles and triples. Also, be sure to take metering units apart before use to check condition and remove any dirt that may be built up from last season.

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March 2014

The Herald Agricultural Tab 7

Agriculture Day
4 1 0 2 , 5 2 H MARC
are mostly grown as animal feed, and not just for our herds here. Chinese pigs are fed on affordable American soybeans, allowing that countrys people access to better nutrition than its seen in a long time. That means our producers are playing a more critical role than ever in everyday life, across America and beyond. Consumer values here at home are evolving, with more and more demand for locally grown fresh foods and more community supported agriculture. What is a CSA farm? According

National

Growing crops that make life good

The Agricultural Council of Ame rica will celebrate Ag Day this year with the theme Agriculture: 365 Sunrises and 7 Billion Mouths to Feed. Whether we buy prepackaged food or eat from the local garden stand, the stuff that our farmers grow is literally something we could not live without. But American farmers do more than just produce our food. The biggest cash crop in the USA these days is corn, grown for fuel. Soybeans, the second-biggest crop,

to the US Department of Agriculture, it is an agricultural business supported by a community of subscribers who collectively share the risks and benefits of food production. By pledging to buy regular produce baskets from a particular farm during the growing season, members guarantee the salary of the farmer, who in turn shares the bounty of naturally grown fruit and vegetables. This direct sales approach ensures that farmers are encouraged to continue in agriculture and keep providing Americans with fresh food, grown close to home.

Were lucky to have nutritious food, grown close to home.

8 The Herald Agricultural Tab

Canning & Preserving

Canning and preserving are ways to protect food from spoilage so that you can use the food at a later time. Theres no doubt that being able to offer fresh-tasting, homecanned, or -preserved foods to your family and friends throughout the year is definitely one of lifes luxuries. Whatever preservation method you choose, your efforts will benefit you in many ways: A pantry full of fresh, homegrown foods: Having a stocked pantry offers a cushion against the fluctuating cost of healthy foods. Convenience: You can build a pantry of convenience foods that fit into your busy lifestyle and that your family will enjoy. Protection against rising food costs: The whole idea of canning and preserving is to take advantage of fresh food when its abundant. And abundant food generally means lower cost. A sense of relaxation and accomplishment: For many people, working in the kitchen and handling food provides a sense of relaxation, and watching family and friends enjoy the products of your efforts gives you a great sense of accomplishment. Confidence in the ingredients that go into your food: If you love fresh ingredients and like to know what goes into your food, doing your own canning and preserving is the answer. A good time: Producing canned and preserved food in your kitchen is fun and easy and who doesnt like fun? The price of food has skyrocketed in the last few years. Food safety has become a concern for everyone. Canning is the answer to both the price dilemma and the desire to offer nutritious foods throughout the year. Youll have no doubts about preparing safe home-canned and preserved food after you discover what each method does, which method is best for different foods, the rules for the technique you choose, and safe food-handling techniques. Canning food is the most popular preserving method used today and is the pro-

March 2014

Savemoney,eathealthierandbettertaste!
degrees under a specific pressure (stated in pounds) thats measured with a dial gauge or weighted gauge on the pressure-canner cover. Use a pressure canner for processing vegetables and other low-acid foods, such as meat, poultry, and fish. Freezing food: Freezing food is the art of preparing and packaging foods at their peak of freshness and plopping them into the freezer to preserve all that seasonal goodness. Freezing is a great way to preserve foods that cant withstand the high temperatures and long cooking of conventional canning methods. The keys to freezing food are to make sure that the food youre freezing is absolutely fresh, that you freeze it as quickly as possible, and that you keep it at a proper frozen temperature (0 degrees). Drying food: When you dry food, you expose the food to a temperature thats high enough to remove the moisture but low enough that it doesnt cook. Good air circulation assists in evenly drying the food. An electric dehydrator is the best and most efficient unit for drying, or dehydrating, food. Smoking, salting, and curing food: Smoking foods, especially meats, adds a new dimension of flavor to your diet. Smoking is a simple process that infuses smoky flavors into ordinary cuts of meat. Applying rubs and curing in brine, in addition to smoking, increases the number of ways that your hohum meats can become spectacular. Fermenting: Fermenting is the process See CANNING, page 12

From Canning and Preserving All-in-One For Dummies by Consumer Dummies

Other methods for preserving food include

Basic Techniques for Canning and Preserving Food

cess of applying heat to food thats sealed in a jar in order to destroy any microorganisms that can cause food spoilage. All foods contain these microorganisms. Proper canning techniques stop this spoilage by heating the food for a specific period of time and killing these unwanted microorganisms. Also, during the canning process, air is driven from the jar, and a vacuum is formed as the jar cools and seals. This vacuum prevents microorganisms from entering and recontaminating the food. Although you may hear of many canning methods, only two are approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): Water-bath canning: This method, sometimes referred to as hot water canning, uses a large kettle of boiling water. Filled jars are submerged in the water and heated to an internal temperature of 212 degrees for a specific period of time. Use this method for processing high-acid foods, such as toma-

toes, fruit and items made from it, pickles, and pickled food. Pressure canning: Pressure canning uses a large kettle that produces steam in a locked compartment. The filled jars in the kettle reach an internal temperature of 240

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March 2014

The Herald Agricultural Tab 9

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10 The Herald Agricultural Tab

Farm honey bees to boost crop yield

BY ANNE COBURN-GRIFFIS Sentinel Editor agriffis@putnamsentinel.com bees can survive cold very well. Its the length of the cold spell. We didnt get any periodic warmups. Bees need to be able to leave the hive to defecate. If they dont, disease can spread in the hive. Its not a healthy situation for the bees. The long cold spells came on top of a soso honey year, according to Arheit. He explained that most bees had to be fed sugar syrup in the fall as most bees did not pro-

March 2014

DELPHOS Once the extended cold of Winter 2014 snaps, Putnam County residents can expect to see sprouting daffodils and other bulbed flowers. Front yard shrubs will bloom and bees will race from flower to flower, if we are lucky. In recent years, the honeybee population has declined considerably and scientists continue to study and debate why bees seem to be dying out. Commercial beekeepers in the United States have reported deaths of tens of thousands of honeybee colonies. Tim Arheit, president of the Ohio Beekeepers Association, vice president of the Northwest Ohio Beekeepers Association and operator of Honey Run Apiaries, Delphos, isnt predicting good news for the near future. Unfortunately, things havent been getting any better, said Arheit. We still have the unusually high losses. Ten or 20 years ago, a loss of five to 15 percent over winter was the norm. Now its often 20 or 30 percent, which is hard to sustain. Officials in the United States Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency have not been able to determine why the honeybee population has undergone such a steep decline. Arheit said that although scientists havent pin-pointed one single cause for the decline, he does believe that lack of nutrition, the use of pesticides and pests, such as mites, are contributing factors: The bees are just stressed out from everything. What Arheit is hearing this year is that the expected loss per Ohio beekeeper is between 40 to 70 percent: The worst part of this winter is not so much the cold because

in Northeast Ohio with 150 hives called them. At this point, hes already lost 90 percent. Once winter is over, the Farmers Almanac is predicting unseasonable hot, dry temperatures for May and June. This could be good news for the bees. Arheit explained that bees love the heat, as long as there is a fresh source of water nearby that they can circulate to cool the hive.

duce enough honey to survive the upcoming winter: A typical hive will need 60 to 80 pounds of honey to survive a typical winter. Beekeepers are going to need to be very attentive to their hives, starting now, in order to keep the bees going as they start to raise young and eat through their stored honey. Arheit still expects to see big bee losses yet this year: I talked to one beekeepingequipment vendor. A small-scale beekeeper

In general, drier years tend to be more productive, within reason. In a wet year, you get so much moisture in the soil that the nectar gets watered down, he explained. If they collect nectar that has a lot of water in it, they have to work more to evaporate the water. They have to make more trips to get a certain amount of sugar in their nectar. And if its rainy, bees tend not to fly. But if it gets too dry, there may be no nectar left in the

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plants for the bees to get. Even with the uncertainties, Arheit and other beekeepers encourage people to add an apiary to their landscape. Scientists and agriculturalists do, too. Honeybees are instrumental in transferring pollen from plant to plant, which helps to foster many agricultural species. Bees help pollinate more than 90 commercially-grown field crops, citrus and other fruit crops, vegetables and nut crops. Without these insects, crop yields would decrease dramatically and some foods may cease to exist. Without bees, food production would diminish and the prices of produce would soar. A lot of people want them for their garden. Some want to do it just because they want to save bees, said Arheit. Its still farming. In some cases its kind of like raising any animal combined with raising crops. Youre not only at the whims of the health of the animal, youre also at the whims of the weather as far as producing a crop. But if you forget to feed bees for a few days, they wont die on you. If you inspect them every couple of weeks, thats generally enough. Arheit attributes beekeeping hobbyists with providing research that has helped the industry as a whole: A lot of what were learning comes from smaller beekeeping operations. They watch the behavior of the bees more than a commercial operator who has 1,000-plus hives. A lot of 4-H projects involve keeping bees. And people shouldnt be afraid to live next door to someone who keeps bees, he said. I had a hive in my yard about five or six feet away from my driveway. I have UPS pickup daily to ship out supplies and honey, he added. We had the same UPS See BEES, page 14

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March 2014

The Herald Agricultural Tab 11

Fun Farm Facts

Mature turkeys have more than 3,500 feathers. There are 47 different breeds of sheep in the U.S. Pork is the most widely eaten meat in the world. The average person consumes 584 pounds of dairy products a year. 160 degrees Fahrenheit is the correct cooking temperature to ensure safe and savory ground beef. Elevators in the Statue of Liberty use a soybean-based hydraulic fluid. Like snowflakes, no two cows have exactly the same pattern of spots. The longest recorded flight of a chicken is 13 seconds. Twenty-nine cuts of beef meet government guidelines for lean. The average dairy cow produces seven gallons of milk a day, 2,100 pounds of milk a month, and 46,000 glasses of milk a year. Turkeys originated in North and Central America, and evidence indicates that they have been around for more than 10 million years. Agriculture employs more than 24 million American workers (17% of the total U.S. work force). Todays American farmer feeds about 155 people worldwide. In 1960, that number was 25.8. Raising beef cattle is the single largest segment of American agriculture. One pound of wool can make 10 miles of yarn. There are 150 yards (450 feet) of wool yarn in a baseball. Soybeans are an important ingredient for the production of crayons. In fact, one acre of soybeans can produce 82,368 crayons. The heaviest turkey ever raised weighed 86 pounds, about the size of an average third-grader. Cows are herbivores, so they only have teeth on the bottom. There are 350 squirts in a gallon of milk. Cows must give birth to a calf in order to produce milk.

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*Limited-time offer valid from 12/01/13 through 03/31/14, subject to product availability. Requests must be postmarked on or before 04/30/14. Once submitted rebate requests are validated, rebate will be issued in the form of a prepaid card. Prepaid card is issued by MetaBank, Member FDIC, pursuant to license by MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated. Cards are issued in connection with a loyalty, award orvalid promotion program. Card issued insubject the name submitted on rebateRequests form andmust is not *Limited-time offer from 12/01/13 through 03/31/14, to product availability. betransferable; postmarked card be issued to minors. Card does requests not haveare cash access rebate and can bebe used wherever Debit MasterCard is on orcannot before 04/30/14. Once submitted rebate validated, will issued in the form of a prepaid card. accepted. Card valid for to 6 months, unused funds forfeit at midnight EST the last day of the month of the valid Prepaid card is issued byup MetaBank , Member FDIC, pursuant to license by MasterCard International Incorporated. thru date, subject to applicable law. Country restrictions apply and Incorporated. are subject to Cards change. terms, conditionswith and MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International areCard issued in connection limitations apply;or see MyPrepaidCenter.com/site/mastercard-promo for details. Offer cannot be combined with any a loyalty, award promotion program. Card issued in the name submitted on rebate form and is not transferable; othercannot offers, promotions discounts. Offer limited to 16cash qualifying Firestone brand rearwherever radial tractor tires per address. card be issued toorminors. Card does not have access and can be used Debit MasterCard is Offer subject to Terms and available onfunds the official Form and FirestoneAg.com. Offer valid only for accepted. Card valid for upConditions to 6 months, unused forfeitClaim at midnight ESTatthe last day of the month of the valid purchases of qualifying tires at participating Certified Firestone Farm Dealers in the 50Card United States and DC and thru date, subject to applicable law. Country restrictions apply and areTire subject to change. terms, conditions and void whereapply; prohibited, taxed or restricted. This is a limited-time offer and may be Offer subject to change. limitations see MyPrepaidCenter.com/site/mastercard-promo for details. cannot be combined with any other offers, promotions or discounts. Offer limited to 16 qualifying Firestone brand rear radial tractor tires per address. Offer subject to Terms and Conditions available on the official Claim Form and at FirestoneAg.com. Offer valid only for purchases of qualifying tires at participating Certified Firestone Farm Tire Dealers in the 50 United States and DC and void where prohibited, taxed or restricted. This is a limited-time offer and may be subject to change.

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12 The Herald Agricultural Tab

March 2014 (Continued from page 8) introducing good bacteria into foods, in a 3. Arrange food on dehydrator trays. safe way. Much more than beer-making, 4. Dry at specified temperature, occasionfermenting is the technique behind the sour ally turning food and rotating trays. tang of sauerkraut, vinegar, and yogurts. 5. Check for doneness, using guidelines in Fermenting is also the perfect beginners recipe for what properly dried food looks preserving technique because it takes very and feels like. little time and requires a short list of ingre- 6. Place in airtight storage container and dients. store in cool, dry place out of direct sunJuicing: Juicing is a wonderful way to light. introduce healthy eating in a playful (and Freezing delicious) way to anyone who eyes a sal- 1. Gather supplies. ad with suspicion. Juicing includes fruits, 2. Prepare food. greens, and vegetables in combinations that 3. Place food in freezer containers, leaving may surprise you. Full-bodied and filling, specified headspace (if using rigid containjuicing is a great way to bring tasty foods ers) or pressing out all excess air (if using that might otherwise be overlooked to the freezer storage bags). table. 4. Slightly chill food or, if it was blanched, This at-a-glance guide shows how to preserve foods by canning, freezing, and drying. People have been preserving food for eons. Newer, safer food preservation techniques and equipment enable you to stock your pantry or freezer with delicious, healthy foods. Pick your preferred method water-bath canning, pressure canning, freezing, or drying and follow these basic instructions.

Tractor overturns are the leading cause of death on farms. It takes less than a second for a tractor to roll over. Men aged fifty years old or more are the main victims of tractor overturns because they sometimes use old equipment that does not meet modern safety standards. The circumstances of these accidents are commonplace and almost always preventable. Side overturns occur when the tractor is manoeuvred too close to a ditch or a bank. Rear overturns are often linked to pulling logs and can be avoided by never attaching a towing chain above a tractors tool bar. Older tractors were not originally equipped with a safety frame or a roll-over protective structure (ROPS). New tractors now come equipped with safety frames, but it is possible to install them on older tractor models. Tractor drivers should also wear seat belts to hold them in the safety zone of the tractor and prevent them from being ejected into a dangerous area. Equipping tractors with safety frames and ensuring that drivers wear seat belts are by far the most effective safety measures that can be taken in order to avoid death and serious injury when roll-overs occur.
Tractors should be equipped with a safety frame and a seat belt in order to avoid fatal accidents.

Avoiding tractor overturns

Canning

Preserve Food by Canning, Freezing, and Drying

allow to come to room temperature. 5. Loosely pack food in freezer. 6. When completely frozen, repack more tightly in freezer. This material is reproduced with permission of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Copyright 2014 & Trademark by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved. FARM INSURANCE

1. Gather supplies and equipment; keep jars hot. 2. Prepare food. 3. Fill your jars, leaving proper headspace and releasing air bubbles. Put on lids and hand-tighten screw bands. . 4. Place jars in water-bath canner. 5. Bring water to boil and allow to boil for amount of time specified in recipe. 6. At end of processing time, remove jars and allow to cool completely. 7. Test seals. 8. Store! 1. Gather supplies and equipment; keep jars hot. 2. Prepare food. 3. Fill your jars, leaving proper headspace and releasing air bubbles. Put on lids and hand-tighten screw bands. 4. Place jars in pressure canner. 5. Close and lock the canner. 6. Process jars as outlined in the recipe. 7. At end of processing time, allow pressure to return to 0. 8. Remove jars from canner and allow to cool completely. 9. Test seals. 10. Store! 1. Gather supplies. 2. Prepare food.

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March 2014

The Herald Agricultural Tab 13

The no-till agricultural revolution

What would farmers do without their ploughs and fertilizers? Save money, according to some farmers in the United States! More and more of them are switching to the no-till farming method as well as reducing their use of fertilizers. The result is revitalized soil that is all natural. This quiet revolution may seem like a miracle, but in actual fact it is simply a new technique called conservation agriculture, one that opens the way to intensive farming methods that are less costly and more respectful of the environment. No-till farming is based on three inseparable principles: organic soil cover, no-till seeding, and crop rotation. According to latest figures from the US Department of Agriculture, one third of American crops are not ploughed, and 50 percent of those are soy crops.

Conservation agriculture allows for the rebuilding of nutrient levels in soils that have become dependent on fertilizers. To prepare a field, a ground cover such as clover, alfalfa, or ryegrass is seeded. These plants produce a sort of carpet which protects the soil from erosion and develops roots several metres deep. During the winter, these grasses capture and store nitrogen from the air in the form of nitrates (nitrogen transforms into nitrates) within the root nodules. When these plants die, the nodules become nitrogen reservoirs that decompose much more slowly than fertilizers. These white nodules, packed with natural, free fertilizers, can be found just by turning the soil over with a spade. Corn, for example, can feed from the richly decaying organic matter of the preceding season as well as the cover crops.

Its common knowledge that before planting the soil needs to be prepared, either in the form of tillage or the use of chemicals to kill the weeds. Tillage methods can be divided into three main categories, depending on the amount of crop residue they leave on the surface. Conventional tillage A bit of a history lesson, up until about 20 years ago the standard tillage practice for corn was the use of the moldboard plow followed by several secondary tillage and mechanical cultivation. Todays farmers have turned away from that method because moldboard plows tend to leave minimal crop residue on the soil surface, in turn decreasing valuable organic matter. Reduced tillage is usually done with a chisel plow and leaves 15% to 30% residue coverage on the soil. Conservation tillage leaves at least 30% residue coverage on the soil. An example of conservation tillage is no-till, where no tillage is done at all. Other examples are strip-till, ridge till, and mulch till. The use of herbicide may be used in

Soil preparation for spring season

addition to all these tillage methods to kill weeds. In no-till fields, the herbicide is applied directly on last seasons crop residue. In other methods, some soil preparation takes place before the herbicide is applied. A common myth is that more herbicide is used with conservation tillage methods, but in fact farmers rely on herbicides for weed control under all tillage practices. The amount used is more or less independent of tillage methods. Along will tillage comes the risk of soil erosion. The best tillage method to reduce tillage is conservation tillage. This method leaves at least 30% residue cover on the ground. The simple, low-cost practice can have a huge impact on the amount of soil eroded. Due to energy saving and improvements in soil quality, conservation tillage has been widely adopted across the Midwest. Soil preparation is a crucial step for a healthy crop and longevity of the land. Its important to determine whats the best method for your farm ground.

With planting season right around the corner, everyone is itching to get out into the field. Before the time comes, its important to think about proper soil preparation.

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14 The Herald Agricultural Tab

March 2014

BEES
(Continued from page 8) driver for about two years who parked his truck every day right next to the hive. After two years he asked, What are you shipping out all the time? When I told him, he asked, Where are your hives? I said, Youre standing right next to one. There are a few shampoos that might attract them but as long as you follow best-management practices, the impact to your neighbors should be negligible. And you can share honey. The Ohio Beekeepers Association offers a guide to best-management practices at www. ohiostatebeekeepers.org that can help to eleviate tension between bee enthusiasts and their neighbors. Local association contact and beekeeping supply information can also be found on the website. For more face-to-face information about beekeeping, the Northwest Ohio Beekeepers Association meets 7:30-9:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of every month, January-May and September-November at Pandora-Gilboa High School. For those interested in starting a hive or two in 2014, Arheit encourages them to order now as packages of bees are selling out quickly this year.

Water quality and nutrient management toolkit developed to address growing need
by Matt Reese The complexities of nutrient management do not simply require occasional attention on the farm. Properly managing nutrients requires year-round effort, attention to details and careful record keeping. With these things in mind, the Shelby County Soil and Water Conservation District, Cargill in Sidney, and the Shelby County Farm Bureau teamed up to help farmers in the increasingly important management of the nutrients that are necessary components of crop and livestock production. I am not sure you can go to any farm meeting in the state right now and not have this topic come up, said Andrea Guckes with Cargill. We were very fortunate to work with a lot of people who really know their stuff and we were really excited to be a part of this. The effort that began last August has resulted in an educational toolkit for producers Water Quality & Nutrient Management from Planning to Placement to Profit. The toolkit contains a glossy wall calendar featuring pictures of local agriculture and a monthly tip for nutrient management during that time of year. Each page has a tip of the month that makes them think about nutrient management to get folks thinking about what they need to be doing at that time of year, said Jason Bruns, with the Shelby County Soil and Water Conservation District. Anything we can do to keep nutrient management in the forefront of producers minds is an added benefit. The toolkit is an educational binder containing data recording sheets for farmers to track applications of nutrients, seed varieties, planting dates, marketing information, and other pertinent data. The binder also contains a variety of Extension fact sheets to help producers make informed nutrient management decisions. Topics include the 4Rs, phosphorus fertility recom-

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mendations and soil test interpretation Soil tests are not easy things to read and they can say many things. This helps producers because they can put it on their shelf and refer to it when they need to. We want to see folks have a basic understanding of nutrient management on their farms. The bulk of the publication is the Tri-State Fertility Guide. Lots of folks have heard about it, but many people dont actually have one, Bruns said. We also thought about, What are we lacking when we talk about managing nutrients in Ohio? A big chunk of that is record keeping. Hopefully, when a producer is done with this field record sheet, they will have all the information right here when they come into the Farm Service office or for crop insurance. Weve been missing the records of what they have been doing historically. This is a tool to move us in the right direction with record keeping. Ohio Farm Bureau senior director of environmental policy Larry Antosch said that this tool kit fills an important need in agriculture in Shelby County, and around Ohio. This tool can be invaluable in helping Ohio agriculture. As this water quality issue has been surfacing over the last several years, we have been searching for some type of record keeping system that works. There really isnt one out there, Antosch said. This can help track and document what you need. Farmers need to be prepared for coming legislation on this issue and this tool can help. This is something that is not going to go away. This is a national and international concern that is getting a lot of attention. The public has different expectations that everything is going to be blue skies and rainbows tomorrow, Antosch said. We need to be able to say, Here is what we are doing and here is what we can expect.

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March 2014

Four of us sat in a doctors office waiting area. The Price is Right was on TV, but wasnt entertaining any of us. A pile of Prevention magazines sat on the end table untouched. Small talk about Ohios crazy winter weather turned into a conversation about what each of us does for a living. A 40-ish smartly dressed man is an attorney, specifically one who prosecutes criminals. A woman with silver gray highlights said she had recently retired from 20 years teaching special education, and is beginning a second career as a small business owner. The third individual is a self-proclaimed tech nerd web developer.

I Farm

The Herald Agricultural Tab 15

Ivory Harlow at Dickie Bird Farm

I farm I farm, I said rather sheepishly. I didnt think farming warranted bragging rights like their fancy and interesting jobs. I assumed these professionals didnt want to hear about my livestock or vegetables. Boy was I wrong. What kind of farming? The lawyer asked with enthusiasm. You do important work! The retiredteacher-turned-entrepreneur exclaimed, after I gave a detailed description of Dickie Bird Farms small sustainable farm structure. Did you always want to be a farmer? The nerd inquired. Later it occurred to me that their interest in my occupation and farm operation was twofold: First, Im not a stereotypical farmer. Most city and suburban people imagine a farmer as an aged, bib-wearing male with a lip packed with chaw. They suppose a farmer inherits his great-grandfathers farmland. I on the other hand, am young, college-educated, and female. I dont wear overalls or chew tobacco. My parents did not farm. The second reason for my new friends interest in my profession is that none of them

had ever met a farmer. The days of milk deliveries from your friendly dairy farmer are bygone, as are the days when grocery shelves were stocked with fruits and vegetables from the farm down the road. Most modern eaters go their entire lifetimes without knowing the men and women who raise their food. The good news is that the future of farming favors a return to the small farm model. I built Dickie Bird Farm with the intention of shaking my customers hands. Many of my fellow young farmers are creating similar sustainable systems on their own small pieces of land. Did you always want to be a farmer? After completing a military enlistment and college, I worked in numerous occupations including: short order cook, retail sales, logistics, and Government contracting. I waitressed and managed a massage clinic. Although I gained experience and friends at each job, no job satisfied my craving for real and meaningful work. I dreamed of doing something that nurtured my spirit, the earth and my community. I wanted work that inspired confidence and creativity. Farming offers all this and more.

The greatest fine art of the future will be the making of a comfortable living from a small piece of land. Abraham Lincoln
loom vegetables. We raise free range chickens and turkey for eggs and meat. I milk a small herd of dairy goat and make cheese. I recently added a Red Wriggler Worm ranch to the farm to enhance our composting system. In farming, Ive found that even undesirable chores like cleaning the barn in negative temperatures and hauling manure in the rain is real and meaningful work that is satisfying, honest and true. I invite you to join in my weekly farm adventures at farmanddairy.com. Ill share insight Ive gained building a sustainable farm system at Dickie Bird Farm. Ill talk about how you can grow-your-own and doit-yourself. I hope youll join in the conversation with what has worked on your farm or in your backyard. About the Author Ivory Harlow lives and farms in Southern Ohio with her husband, pet turkey Big Mama, and other livestock. Be her farm friend at www.facebook.com/dickiebirdfarm or email farmer@dickiebirdfarm.com.

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My favorite thing about being a farmer is that I wake up every day knowing exactly what needs to be done and Im empowered to do it. At Dickie Bird Farm my husband and I cultivate over 100 varieties of mostly heir-

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16 The Herald Agricultural Tab

March 2014