Overview

The Summer/Fall 2026 edition of The West Ohio Producer newsletter by the Ohio State University Extension provides research-based outreach, education, and regional updates for agricultural and natural resources communities across West Central Ohio.

Core Services Offered

• Soil and forage testing equipment lending and result interpretation.

• Workshops covering crop management, livestock care, farm business, and farm transition.

• Quality assurance training and specialized guidance for farm operations.

• Reduced-price ticket sales for the annual Farm Science Review.

• Seasonal educational offerings tailored for home gardens.

Production Agriculture Events

• Hardin County Ag Council: Monthly meetings to share operational updates and hear from Extension staff and County Commissioners. Held at the Kenton McDonald's on June 5, July 2, Aug. 7, Sept. 4, Oct. 2, Nov. 6, and Dec. 11 (7:30 am – 8:30 am; No cost).

• 2026 Small Grains Field Day (June 17): Field trials, research insights, and equipment demonstrations focused on wheat. Held at the Western Agricultural Research Station in South Charleston (8:30 am – 12:00 pm; No cost, includes lunch).

• Weed Science Field Day (July 8): Live look at herbicide injury plots, waterhemp control, and integrated pest management strategies. Held at the Western Agricultural Research Station (9:00 am – 1:00 pm; $20 registration includes digital tour guidebook and lunch).

• Western Agronomy Field Day (July 15): Hands-on look at agronomic research, management practices, and expert updates. Held at the Western Agricultural Research Station (9:00 am – 1:00 pm; Cost TBD).

• Livestock Emergency Response Program (July 18): Specialized training for local emergency responders to manage roadway accidents involving livestock transportation. Held at the Auglaize County Fairgrounds (9:00 am – 3:00 pm; No cost).

• Manure Science Review (July 22): Showcasing application equipment, nutrient management technologies, and real-world solutions. Held at Homan, Inc. in Maria Stein (9:00 am – 3:30 pm; $25 in advance, $30 after July 15).

• Farm Science Review (September 22–24): Large-scale agricultural showcase featuring new technologies and educational sessions. Held at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London ($10 advance tickets at local Extension offices, $15 at the gate; Children 5 and under free).

• Monthly Dairy Luncheon Series: Recurring Thursday educational series focusing on herd health, technology, and market trends. Held at the Southside Restaurant lower level in Coldwater on Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, and Mar. 11 (Starts at 11:30 am; No cost, includes lunch).

• Regional Weeds University (November 19): Full-day intensive program on weed species identification, growth habits, and herbicide stewardship. Held at regional locations around Ohio (9:00 am – 4:00 pm; Cost TBD).

Lawn, Garden & Community Events

• BioBlitz for Spring Pollinators (June 6): Educational session on native insect identification followed by a logging activity. Held at Indian Lake State Park (10:00 am – 11:30 am; No cost).

• Master Gardener Volunteer Summer Program Series: Three-part gardening series covering oak trees (June 16), native plants (July 21), and companion planting (August 18). Held at Friendship Gardens in Kenton (6:00 pm – 7:00 pm; No cost).

• Tree & Woodland Care Series: Field-based control strategies for woody invasive plants. Offers private and commercial pesticide credits for forestry (Core, 4, 4C). Held at Kuffner Preserve (June 20, 10 am), Indian Lake State Park (June 26, 5 pm), Lake Loramie Welcome Center (July 11, 1 pm), and Mackenbach Preserve (July 23, 5 pm) (No cost).

• Evening Garden Affair (June 23): Guided tours of Friendship Gardens focused on native plants. Held at Friendship Gardens in Kenton (6:30 pm – 8:00 pm; No cost).

• Mercer Lawn & Garden Talks Series: Monthly discussions on specific gardening topics like sunflowers, greenhouses, and dangerous plants. Held at the Mercer County Ag Center on the last Wednesday of the month: June 24, July 29, Aug. 26, and Sept. 30 (Starts at 6:00 pm; No cost).

• Shelby County Master Gardener Library Series: Informative gardening discussions with refreshments and door prizes. Held at the Amos Memorial Public Library in Sidney on June 25, Aug. 27, and Sept. 24 (6:30 pm – 8:00 pm; No cost).

• Miami County In Bloom Garden Tour (July 18): Biennial tour highlighting beautiful home gardens across Troy and Tipp City (10:00 am – 4:00 pm; $20 presale, $25 day-of).

• West Ohio Pond Clinic (July 30): Technical advice on water quality, aquatic vegetation, and fish management. Held at Eden Haven Park in Celina (5:50 pm – 7:30 pm; No cost).

• Tri-County Pond Clinic (August 10): Management clinic covering pond safety, fish stocking, and weed control. Held at Overholser Farm in Bradford (6:30 pm – 8:30 pm; No cost).

Farm Management Resources

• Ohio Farm Resolution Services (OFRS): Certified Agricultural Mediation Program providing education, one-on-one consultation, and formal mediation services to resolve business, family, neighbor, or government agency conflicts at no or reduced cost.

• Planning for the Future of Your Farm: Online course addressing farm succession, asset transfer, estate planning, and legal/financial tools. Enrollment closes September 14, 2026 ($149.00).

• Ohio Farm Business Analysis and Benchmarking Program: Financial analysis tools and assistance from Extension Technicians to evaluate farm profitability.

• Forage & Hay Testing: Forage probe lending programs through local offices, with laboratory testing handled via Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) at Ohio State’s Sustainable Agroecosystems Lab ($22.50 to $26.50 per sample).

• Rural and Farm Stress Support: Mental health and wellness resources designed specifically for the unique economic and social pressures faced by farming families. In partnership with the Ohio Department of Agriculture, support lines connect directly to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for 24/7 assistance.

2026 County and State Fair Schedule

• Logan County Fair (Bellefontaine): July 12–18

• Shelby County Fair (Sidney): July 26–August 1

• Ohio State Fair (Columbus): July 29–August 9

• Auglaize County Fair (Wapakoneta): August 2–8

• Champaign County Fair (Urbana): August 7–14 (Features the Ag Innovation Tent with daily live technology demonstrations at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm Monday–Friday, and 10:00 am Saturday–Sunday)

• Mercer County Fair (Celina): August 13–19

• Miami County Fair (Troy): August 14–20

• Allen County Fair (Lima): August 21–29

• Darke County Fair (Greenville): August 21–29

• Van Wert County Fair (Van Wert): September 1–7

• Hardin County Fair (Kenton): September 8–13