Poultry, dairy, swine, beef cattle and other livestock producers wanting to learn economically and environmentally beneficial ways to handle the death of their animals can earn livestock mortality composting certification through a course offered by experts and hosted by OSU Extension and the local Soil and Water Conservation District.

The Hardin County Cattle Producers will hold their annual Beef Banquet on Saturday, March 24 at 6 p.m. in the Community Building at the Hardin County Fairgrounds. Presale adult tickets are $15 ($20 at the door), youth ages 6-12 are $7.50 ($10 at the door), kids under 6 years old are free, as well as 2017 Hardin County Junior Fair Beef Barn exhibitors with a reservation given to any Cattle Producers director.

The Boots and Buckles 4-H group met on Monday, March 12 at adviser Jolene Buchenroth's house at 6:30 p.m. Members recited the pledges, then the meeting was officially started. New business is the Boots and Buckles 4-H club is having a bake sale at TSC on Saturday, April 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The proceeds will go the club. Then, the meeting was adjourned.

Goshen Youth met on Saturday, March 3 at the OSU Extension Office Spark Lab. Current members chose projects, and completed online enrollment.

CESSNA MINUTEMEN The Cessna Minutemen 4-H Club will hold an open house and sign-up on Monday, March 19 from 7 to 7:30 p.m. at Walnut Grove Church. Past members have been from Ada, Hardin Northern, Kenton and Riverdale school districts. All are welcome. There are lots of projects to choose from.

The High Flyers 4-H Club will meet Tuesday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the basement of the Epworth United Methodist Church. Member enrollment forms will be distributed so parents should stay to help fill them out. New members are welcome.

The second annual Hardin County Poultry Banquet is slated for 6 p.m. Saturday, March 17 at the Kenton Christian Missionary Alliance Church Family Center, located at 15436 Ohio 309, Kenton. There is no charge to attend the meal. Each family is asked to bring a side dish and dessert. Meat and table service will be provided. The 2018 Hardin County …

Benjamin Logan FFA members on Tuesday, March 6 had the opportunity to work with Tyler Myers, a 2013 Ben Logan graduate and current member of the South Dakota State Livestock Judging Team.

When weary winter weather leads to thoughts of spring, imaginations meander through ideas of gentle breezes flowing through the trees and filtered sunlight casting dancing sprites through the leaves. Tender chartreuse shoots of new growth tease us for the smell of fresh spring flowers and urge us to bend our backs and embed soil under our nails for another year of luscious gardens and fresh landscapes.

The Blanchard Pleasant Buckeyes 4-H Club met Monday evening, March 5 at the Hardin Northern School with 48 members, 20-plus guests, and 9 advisors present. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Heidi Trachsel and the 4-H pledge led by Emori Criner.