Does your Private Pesticide Applicator’s License expire on March 31, 2018? If so, the Portage County Extension office will be hosting a re-certification session for private pesticide applicators on Friday, February 9, 2018 at the Portage Soil and Water Conservation District Office from 9:00 a.m. to noon. This session will offer 3 credits for pesticide re-certification for CORE and All Categories (1-7). The cost of this session is $35 per registrant.
Does your Fertilizer Certification expire on March 31, 2018? If so, a fertilizer certification session will be held following the pesticide re-certification session from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. This session will allow farmers to renew their fertilizer certification (for farmers who apply commercial fertilizer to 50 or more acres). The cost of this session is $10 per registrant.
Pre-registration is required by February 1, 2018. A late fee of $25 will be added for any registrations made after this time (so make sure to register on time!). Registration includes refreshments, speaker travel expenses, and program handouts. New in 2018, all registrations have to be made on-line. The registration link for this program is: http://www.cvent.com/d/mtqmtn?lang=en&sms=7&cn=2IJ8f9Y-UkCA3U7hkBXoRg
The on-line registration procedure does allow for payment via a credit card or by mailing a check. If you are unable to register on-line or need additional information about the registration process, please call the Portage County Extension office at 330-296-6432.
Can’t attend on February 9, 2018? If you cannot attend on February 9, three other re-certification sessions will be held in northeast Ohio. These will be in Ashtabula County: Friday, January 12, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon; Geauga County: Friday, February 2, 2018; and Trumbull County: Friday, March 9, 2018 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Registration links and flyers can be obtained at: http://go.osu.edu/neohio-pat
Additional Classes and Webinars Available
January 5, 12:00 pm. A VOLATILE ISSUE: PERSPECTIVES ON DICAMBA DRIFT- WEBINAR. Join presenters Mark Loux, Professor and State Weed Specialist, and Peggy Hall, Asst. Professor and Ag Law Specialist for an update about dicamba use, volatility, and legal consequences of drift. Learn more at: u.osu.edu/emergingissues
January 5, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm. LUNCH AND LEARN- LAND AS YOUR LEGACY. Join program speaker Tony Daprile, Nationwide Insurance and Farm Bureau Members. Registration for this event is $5, which includes the program, lunch, and handouts. Contact Mahoning County Extension for more details at 330-533-5538 or Mahoning.osu.edu.
January 18th & 25, 2-3 pm. THE ART OF NEGOTIATING: GETTING WHAT YOU NEED. Negotiation is an essential business strategy. Whether you are negotiating a land rental contract, an employee’s salary or want to clarify a delivery schedule, negotiation is part of every business owner’s toolkit. But women frequently feel unprepared and unskilled in this form of communication. Join Women’s Agricultural Network Director Mary Peabody for a two-part virtual series on negotiation. This session will meet twice in an online classroom. Participants should plan to attend both sessions. Learn more at https://wagn.wufoo.com/forms/z128qvwo1gt1jik/
January 20, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. NORTHEAST OHIO SMALL FARMER WORKSHOP. This workshop in Jefferson, OH is designed to help landowners increase profits from their small acreage. This program is open to all new or aspiring farmers, new rural landowners, small farmers, and farm families looking for new ideas. Participants will learn how to develop a business plan for their operation. During the workshop, participants will learn more about the current opportunities in small-scale farming; how to identify the strengths & weaknesses of your farm; how to keep records and develop budgets; and how to effectively price & market your products to consumers. Learn more about farm insurance, governmental assistance, farm taxes, and ways to mitigate risk. This workshop will provide the road map for small producers to move their hobby to a viable farm business. Make connections to resources, information and people that will help your farm business grow! Pre-registration is required by January 12, 2018. Registration fee is $25/per person. Make checks payable to OSU Extension, and mail to Ashtabula County Extension office, 39 Wall Street, Jefferson, OH 44047. If you have any questions please call 440-576-9008.
January 29. 10:00 am – noon. FARMER/LANDOWNER INCOME TAX ISSUES WEBINAR. Join OSU Extension’s Barry Ward, David Marrison, and Chris Bruynis for this webinar to learn about new and proposed tax legislation, ag income and expenses, net operating losses, buying and selling farmlands, rental property, and demolition of structures. Registration opens Dec. 1, 2017. $35/Participant. Learn more at: http://go.osu.edu/taxschools
SAVE THE DATE:
February 15th- 17th. Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association- 39th Annual Conference: A Taste for Change at Dayton Convention Center. Registration is now open and scholarship are available for new small farmers. Learn more at http://www.oeffa.org/conference2018.php
March 21st, 5:30-7:00pm. OSU Extension Portage County will be hosting a shitake mushroom growing workshop. All registrants will take home their own mushroom log. More information on registration to follow.
