Field days on the best ways to use nutrients on farms are set for late July in northwest and western Ohio.  Both events aim to help farmers maximize yields of their crops while minimizing nutrient runoff from their fields, said co-organizer Greg LaBarge, an agronomic field specialist with Ohio State University Extension.

To paraphrase an old U2 song, two plant parts can beat as one. It’s called grafting, and you can learn how to do it at an upcoming event in Wooster’s Secrest Arboretum.

Growing hops and barley crops is an increasingly popular way to generate additional income from the farm. But before growers decide to devote some acreage to these new crops, they need to understand the costs and labor involved in growing them. Allen Gahler, an Ohio State University Extension educator in Sandusky County, said that while there is a strong and growing market for hops and barley in Ohio, growers should put pencil to paper before making the decision. Hops, for example, require a huge initial investment, Gahler said.