Two years ago, the pollution in Lake Erie shut down the water treatment plant for the city of Toledo and got national coverage by the news media. The source of the blooms of algae were attributed in part to the runoff of phosphorous from the application of fertilizer on farm fields.

Asian Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) is native to China, Japan, and Korea. It was introduced to the United States in the 1860s as an ornamental plant and is used today in fall decorations.

As a part of the Hardin County for 68 years, the Hardin Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) wants to remind everyone that each of us has a connection to natural resources. The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is celebrating the 61st year of Stewardship Week, April 24 - May 1.

Corn needs to be planted during suitable conditions and not by a calendar date. For northwestern Ohio, the probability for optimal yields occurs when corn is planted between April 25 and May 10.

REYNOLDSBURG — The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is accepting nominations to honor Ohio farm families who are leaders in conservation for the 2016 Conservation Farm Family Awards.

FOSTORIA —AgCredit-one of northern Ohio's largest lenders for farmers, rural homeowners and agribusiness-recently reported net income of $47.4 million and distributed $18 million of its profits in cash to its member owners.

Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) is a non-native wetland grass that arrived from Asia and Europe in the 1800s for hay, forage, and erosion control. Both strains of native and non-native reed canary grass have been planted in the U.S. with the non-native grass being more aggressive.

Ohio State is looking for farmer cooperators and crop consultants to help conduct on-farm field trials this year. Updating fertilizer recommendations is a major undertaking that will require a collective effort from numerous OSU extension personnel, crop consultants and farmer cooperators.

REYNOLDSBURG — The Ohio Department of Agriculture is now accepting entries for the 2016 “Agriculture is Cool!” Creative Expressions contest. Children enrolled in school or home schooled in Ohio during the 2015-2016 academic year have until June 6 to capture their personal interpretation of why Ohio agriculture is cool for their chance to win prizes, including tickets to the Ohio State Fair.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A nationwide survey of farmers on cover crop use is seeking insight from growers around the country — whether or not they plant cover crops. “This survey provides us with a great perspective on why farmers do or do not plant cover crops, what they expect to gain from the practice, and what their concerns are,” …