ROOT of the MATTER Agricultural and Natural Resource NEWS in Jefferson County

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION ROOT OF THE MATTER Agricultural and Natural Resource NEWS in Jefferson County

http://www.Jefferson.osu.edu April-May 2015

http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/4hpoultry

Backyard Food Production FREE Workshop Series- April 9th @ 6pm in Hopedale! Happy Spring! New Fertilizer Legislation…….…1-3 If you are interested in Backyard Food Production, you don’t want to miss these free Upcoming Programs………………..4 educational sessions for all ages! There will be a workshop the second Thursday of the month from March- October (some will be in Harrison County and others will be in Livestock Quality Assurance……..4 Carroll). The April 9th program will be held at the Master Gardener Volunteer NEW 4-H CLUB!- Steubenville…....4 Community Garden at the USDA Service Center in Hopedale. Topics will include sessions on raised garden beds, poultry production, and more! Backyard Food Production..……5-6 The May 14th program will be held at the Carroll County Extension office. The June 101 Years of Ext Celebration……...7 11th Backyard Food Production program will happen at Barbara Dewey’s and John Quimby’s Farm in Bowerston, and the July 9th program will be at Z Garden Place Master Gardener Plant Sale…….…8 Greenhouse in Jewett. Please see pages 5 & 6 for the program flyers.

Calendar of Events…..……..….……8 I wanted to send a big thank you to all of you that attended some our winter programs! We have had some great sessions the last few months, including Fertilizer FOR AN ELECTRONIC Certification, Pesticide Recertification, Livestock Quality Assurance, and Tri-County NEWSLETTER, PLEASE VIST: Agronomy Day, which doubled in attendance from last year!

Go.osu.edu/jeffersonnewsletter Finally, I wanted to mention two big events coming up: th OSU Extension of Jefferson • Master Gardener Plant Sale- April 28 @ the Prime Time Senior Center • 101 Years of Extension Celebration- May 9th @ Jefferson Fairgrounds County gratefully acknowledges the continued support of the County Commissioners Sarah Cross Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, The Ohio State University Extension

CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. For more information: go.osu.edu/cfaesdiversity. OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Algae Control Bill Awaits Governor's Approval

Tuesday, March 31st, 2015 Peggy Kirk Hall, Asst. Professor, Agricultural & Resource Law

Ohio’s Senate and House of Representatives have agreed upon a final bill intended to control algae production in Lake Erie and its western basin. Senate Bill 1, as amended by the House, passed both chambers on March 25 and now awaits Governor Kasich’s signature.

The law will regulate manure and fertilizer applications in the western basin of Lake Erie, require monitoring of phosphorous for certain publicly owned treatment works, regulate the placement of dredged materials in Lake Erie and its tributaries, change how the Healthy Lake Erie Fund may be used and establish agency coordination and research on harmful algae management and response.

In regards to fertilizer and manure applications, the legislation includes two new amendments that were not part of the original bills passed earlier by the Senate and House:

• Certification requirements for persons using manure from CAFFs. To utilize manure from a concentrated animal feeding facility that is regulated under ODA’s Division of Livestock Environmental Permitting, a person must hold either a Certified Livestock Manager license or certification under Ohio’s new fertilizer applicator certification program. The provision pertains only if applying the manure for agricultural production on more than 50 acres. This language closes the proclaimed “loophole” that allowed persons to receive and apply manure from a livestock facility without being subject to the same regulations as the facility. ORC 903.40.

• Exemptions for small and medium operations. Small and medium agricultural operations may apply for a temporary exemption from the law’s restrictions on fertilizer and manure applications. The chief of the division of soil and water resources may grant an exemption of up to one year for a medium agricultural operation and up to two years for a small operation, if the operation is working toward compliance. An exempted operation may request technical assistance to reach compliance, and will not be subject to civil penalties for violations. The law defines small and medium agricultural operations in the same way as the Livestock Environmental Permitting program, based on the number of livestock according to species. ORC 1511(D).

Other changes to the final bill include a removal of a five-year sunset provision and attempts to address lead contamination. The final bill contains the following provisions:

Fertilizer application restrictions in the western basin

For applications of fertilizer in the western basin, a person may not apply fertilizer, defined as nitrogen or phosphorous, under these conditions: (1) On snow-covered or frozen soil, or (2) When the top two inches of soil are saturated from precipitation, or

ROOT OF THE MATTER 1 OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Algae Control Bill Con’t

(3) In a granular form when the local weather forecast for the application area contains greater than a 50% chance of precipitation exceeding one inch in a twelve-hour period, unless the fertilizer is injected into the ground, incorporated within 24 hours of surface application or applied onto a growing crop.

Small and medium operations may apply for a temporary exemption from the restrictions, as explained above. The ODA will have authority to investigate complaints of potential violations and to assess penalties for violations, which may not exceed $10,000 for each violation.

Manure application restrictions in the western basin

A person may not surface apply manure in the western basin under any of the following circumstances: (1) On snow-covered or frozen soil; (2) When the top two inches of soil are saturated from precipitation; (3) When the local weather forecast for the application area contains greater than a 50% chance of precipitation exceeding one-half inch in a 24 hour period. unless the manure is injected into the ground, incorporated within 24 hours of surface application, applied onto a growing crop, or if in the event of an emergency, the chief of the division of soil and water resources or the chief's designee provides written consent and the manure application is made in accordance with procedures established in the United States department of agriculture natural resources conservation service practice standard code 590 prepared for this state.

Applications of sewage sludge

In issuing sewage sludge management permits, the director of Ohio EPA may not allow the placement of sludge on frozen ground.

Agency responsibilities for harmful algal management and response

The law appoints the director of the Ohio EPA or his/her designee to serve as the coordinator of harmful algae management and response.

• Requires the Director of Environmental Protection to consult with specified state and local officials and representatives to develop actions that protect against cyanobacteria in the western basin and public water supplies and that manage wastewater to limit nutrient loading into the western basin. • Requires the Director to develop and implement protocols and actions regarding monitoring and management of cyanobacteria and other agents that may result in harmful algal production.

ROOT OF THE MATTER 2 OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Algae Control Bill Con’t

Healthy Lake Erie Fund

The fund shall now be used in support of conservation measures in the western basin as determined by the director of ODNR; for funding assistance for soil testing, winter cover crops, edge of field testing, tributary monitoring and animal waste abatement; and for any additional efforts to reduce nutrient runoff as the director may decide. The director must give priority to recommendations that encourage farmers to adopt agricultural production guidelines commonly known as 4R nutrient stewardship

Phosphorous monitoring for publicly owned treatment works

Requires certain publicly owned treatment work to begin monthly monitoring of total and dissolved phosphorous by December 1, 2016. Requires a publicly owned treatment works that is not subject to a specified phosphorous effluent limit on the bill's effective date to complete and submit an optimization study that evaluates its ability to reduce phosphorous to that limit.

Dredged material in Lake Erie and tributaries

Beginning on July 1, 2020, prohibits deposits of dredged material from harbor or navigation maintenance activities in Ohio’s portion of Lake Erie and direct tributaries of the lake unless authorized by the Director of Ohio EPA.

Allows the Ohio EPA Director to authorize a deposit of dredged material for confined disposal facilities; beneficial use; beach nourishment; placement in the littoral drift; habitat restoration and projects involving amounts of dredged material of less than 10,000 cubic yards. Requires the Ohio EPA Director to endeavor to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on long-term planning for the disposition of dredged materials.

Implementation review

The final version of the legislation requires a review three years after the law’s effective date by the appropriate House and Senate committees, who must assess the results of implementing the new measures and issue a report of their findings and recommendations for revisions of repeal to the Governor.

Transfer of Agricultural Pollution Abatement Program

The law declares that the legislature intends to enact legislation to transfer the Ohio Agricultural Pollution Abatement Program from ODNR to ODA by July 1, 2015.

The bill is now awaiting action by Governor Kasich. The final version of the legislation and accompanying documents are available at http://www.ohioagmanager.osu.edu **Please note, Senate Bill 1 was signed after this article was written.

ROOT OF THE MATTER 3 OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Composting With Worms @ Adena Library, April 16th @ 1pm

Are you a small scale gardener that would like to produce a high quality soil or fertilizer. If so, composting with worms might be a good option. Whether its starting a worm box or adding organic matter to your garden to attract worms, these invertebrates add more micronutrients and microorganisms than most soil amendments. Please RSVP by calling the Jefferson County Extension office at 740-264-2212 or email [email protected] Livestock Quality Assurance

April 28th @ Jefferson County Extension office, 6pm May 9th @ 3pm @ Jefferson County Fairgrounds

If you have children involved in the Jefferson County Fair, Quality Assurance Trainings for 2015 are listed above. You will be required to pre-register for a class. Mark your calendar now to attend. How To Grow Salsa May 14th @ Jefferson County Extension office, 7-9pm

Learn how to prepare, plant and grow the ingredients you would need to make salsa (tomatoes, onions, peppers, cilantro, etc.) with Sarah Cross, OSU Extension. This session is part of a series hosted by the Jefferson County Farm Bureau. Please call to RSVP at 740-266-6603 or email Jennifer Barnett at [email protected] Attracting Butterflies to the Garden May 20th @ Puskarich Library, 6:30pm

Creating butterfly gardens is easy and fun for all ages. A landscape that attracts butterflies will also provide colorful flowers throughout spring, summer, and fall. In addition, these types of flowers and trees will also attract other beneficial pollinators. Learn how to spice up your yard to attract butterflies. New 4-H Club in Steubenville! Starting in June 2015

If you have a child interested in joining 4-H in the Steubenville area, now is your chance to join a brand new club. Sessions will likely occur on Mondays throughout June and July 2015. Topics sessions will include cooking, nutrition, gardening, photography, recreation, and more! For more information, please contact the Jefferson County Extension office at 740-264-2212 or email Janine Yeske at [email protected] ROOT OF THE MATTER 4 Backyard Food Production Program

The Carroll and Harrison Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and NRCS along with OSU Extension will be offering a series of programs on Backyard Food Production for 2015. This is a great program for Gardeners of all skill levels.

Topics: Thursday April 9th o How to Plan Your Garden Layout 6:00PM o Garden Types: Lasagna Gardens, Vertical Gardens, Raised Beds, Container Gardens LOCATION: o Companion Planting: Carrots love Tomatoes USDA Service Center o Backyard Poultry: How to Start a Backyard Flock 104 Firehouse Lane, o How Do I Test My Garden Soil? Hopedale

Due to the success of this program last year, we have expanded to include many new topics as well as additional “hand’s on” activities. This program encourages the utilization of your backyard or unused green space for food production while creating wildlife habitat and supporting the conservation of our natural resources. Please call to register for all workshops so that we may have handouts available for all attendees. You may call the Carroll SWCD at 330-627-9852 or the Extension office at 330-627-4310. (You may call the day of the workshop to register)

Coming up:

th June 11th May 14 Nutrient Management in the Garden Let’s Build Rain Barrels! We will order supplies for you to build These Bugs Are Out of Control a barrel! Call the office to get on the list. Compost Bins Micro-Irrigation in Your Garden Backyard Poultry: How to House and Fence Your Flock Backyard Poultry: How to House and Fence Your Flock This class will be held in Harrison County

We gratefully acknowledge the continued help and financial support of our Commissioners In Carroll, Harrison and Jefferson Counties. CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. USDA is an equal opportunity For more information: http://go.osu.edu/cfaesdiversity provider and employer Backyard Food Production Program

The Carroll and Harrison Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and NRCS along with OSU Extension will be offering a series of programs on Backyard Food Production for 2015. Due to the success of this program last year, we have expanded to include many new topics as well as additional “hand’s on” activities. This program encourages the utilization of your backyard or unused green space for food production while creating wildlife habitat and supporting the conservation of our natural resources. This is a great program for Gardeners of all skill levels. To register for a workshop or to be added to the mailing list please call: Carroll SWCD at 330-627-9852 or the Extension office at 330-627-4310.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS March 12th

Choosing a Garden Site

Seed Selection and Propagation

Planting Trees

What Do I Do With These Cover Crops?

What to Plant in Your Low Tunnel for a Spring Harvest April 9th How to Plan Your Garden Layout Garden Types; Raised Beds, Lasagna Gardens, Vertical Gardening Companion Planting; Carrots Love Tomatoes Backyard Poultry: How to Start a Backyard Flock How Do I Test My Garden Soil? May 14th Let’s Build Rain Barrels! Micro-Irrigation in Your Garden Backyard Poultry: How to House and Fence Your Flock June 11th Nutrient Management in the Garden These Bugs are Out of Control! Compost Bins Backyard Poultry: How Your Chickens can Help Your Garden July 9th How to Start a Greenhouse Cold Storage Options August 13th Planning Cover Crops for the Fall Canning and Preserving Your Harvest September 10th Fall Feast (Let’s Celebrate our Harvest!) What to Plant in Your Low Tunnel for Fall How to Prepare Your Garden for Winter Plan to Rotate Your Crops October 8th Looking Ahead to 2016 Introduction to Backyard Fruit Production Observation of Our Low Tunnel Production

We gratefully acknowledge the continued help and financial support of the Commissioners In Carroll, Harrison and Jefferson Counties. CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory. basis. USDA is an equal opportunity For more information: http://go.osu.edu/cfaesdiversity provider and employer OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION

101 Years of Extension Saturday, May 9 Jefferson County Fairgrounds

Clinics 9:00 – 2:00 p.m. Classes 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Dinner* 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. Auction 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Dance 7:00 – 10.00 p.m. Campfire 10:00 p.m. (Your chance to participate in a campfire just like at camp)

Come and help us celebrate 101 years of Extension and also raise the remaining monies needed for our 3-year rent campaign for offices at the Bantam Ridge School Building.

Clinics 2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 9:00-Pygmy Goats Remote Control Vehicles RCV (cont’d.) Family Campfire Preparation 10:00- Horse, Beef, Small Animal Scrapbooking Scrapbooking (cont’d.) 11:00-Goats, Rabbits Gardening 30 Minute Meals Noon-Swine, Dogs Cloverbuds Quality Assurance 1:00-Sheep, Poultry

*WE’RE BRINGING BACK AN OLD FAVORITE…4-H Chicken Noodle Dinner - $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for anyone 12 and under – Dinner will include Chicken Noodle Bowl (mashed potatoes, noodles w/chicken & gravy on top), Salad, Beverage (iced tea/lemonade) and Dessert. Pop/Bottled Water will be available for $1.00. A Bowl of 4-H Noodles will also be available for $3.00 jefferson.osu.edu

CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. F or more information: go.osu.edu/cfaesdiversity ROOT OF THE MATTER

Jefferson County Extension 587 Bantam Ridge Road, Suite C Phone: 740-264-2212 Fax: 740-264-2039 [email protected]

Jefferson County Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all research and related educational programs are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. This statement is in accordance with United States Civil Rights Laws and the USDA. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration; Associate Dean, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences; Director, Ohio State University Extension; and Gist Chair in Extension Education and Leadership. For Deaf and Hard of Hearing, please contact Jefferson County Extension using your preferred communication (e-mail, relay services, or video relay services). Phone 1-800-750-0750 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday. Inform the operator to dial 740-489- 5300.

https://go.osu.edu/mgvjhOHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION

Upcoming Calendar Events Location Legend

APRIL AL (Adena Library) 7 Grazing School • 6:30pm • Hopedale BF (Bowerston Farm; Barbara Dewey’s) 9 Backyard Food Production • 6pm • Hopedale Hopedale (USDA Facility across from fire hall) 14 Grazing School • 6:30pm • Hopedale JF (Jefferson County Fairgrounds) 16 Composting with Worms • AL JMH (Jefferson County Metropolitan Housing) 18 Grazing School • 6:30pm • Hopedale OSUEC (OSU Extension- Carroll office) 28 Master Gardener Plant Sale • 10am-6pm • PT OSUEJ (OSU Extension- Jefferson office) 28 Livestock Quality Assurance • 6pm • OSUEJ PL (Puskarich Library) PT (Prime Time Senior Center) MAY 9 101 Years of Ext Celebration • 9am-12am • JF 14 Backyard Food Production • 6pm • OSUEC Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Sale 14 How to Grow Salsa • 7pm • OSUEJ 20 Attracting Butterflies to the Garden • 6:30pm • PL th April 28 @ Prime Time Senior Center, 10am-6pm JUNE 300 Lovers Lane, Steubenville, OH 1 Steubenville 4-H Club Meeting • 10am • JMH 8 Steubenville 4-H Club Meeting • 10am • JMH Please join us for the first Jefferson/Harrison County 11 Backyard Food Production • 6pm • BF Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Sale! This will be a fun 15 Steubenville 4-H Club Meeting • 10am • JMH 22 Steubenville 4-H Club Meeting • 10am • JMH filled day, full of plants, good conversation, and 29 Steubenville 4-H Club Meeting • 10am • JMH education. Funds will go towards the groups various projects, such as Farm-To-School programs, community *RSVPs are often required for gardens, and other educational events serving our local educational programs. Please call/email communities. our office ahead of time. ROOT OF THE MATTER 8