The Hardin County Pork Producers will hold their annual pork banquet on Saturday, March 12 at St. John's Evangelical Church, starting at 6:30 p.m. The fun-filled evening will include selection of the queen and scholarship recipients as well as amazing food and door prizes.

High input costs coupled with low grain prices anticipated in 2016 means that growers have to make smarter, calculated choices to grow profitable crops this year. Also important is the need to build and maintain healthy soils to help ensure good water quality, said Randall Reeder, a retired Ohio State University Extension agricultural engineer.

The annual Hardin County Dairy Banquet will be held on Saturday, March 12 at noon at the Plaza Inn Restaurant, Mount Victory.

Two Riverdale FFA Chapter members placed first in the tractor trouble shooting contest at Cory Rawson High School on Jan. 21.

The Hardin County Sheep Improvement Association will hold their annual Lamb Banquet on Saturday, March 5 at St. John's Evangelical Church at 6:30 p.m.

Hardin County has a rich tradition of active livestock commodity group organizations. There are organizations for each of the major livestock species, and these groups have royalty and scholarship opportunities to recognize the youth of the county.

Winter eventually arrived bringing daily cold temperatures. Farmers have outdoor tasks that need to be done regardless of the weather or temperatures. Livestock producers have to feed and care for animals and the grain farmer has to check or load stored grain. Wood may need to be cut for fuel.

COLUMBUS — Hunters checked 12,505 white-tailed deer during Ohio’s muzzleloader season, Jan. 9-12, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). During last year’s muzzleloader season 13,724 white-tailed deer were checked.

The OSU Extension Beef Team has announced the details for the 2016 Ohio Beef Cattle School. The Hardin County Extension office will serve as a host site for this winter's series.

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) is strengthening its advocacy efforts on behalf of Ohio’s farm and food community with the implementation of a new membership structure. The new membership model enhances the organization’s inclusive approach to ensuring food security, economic opportunity and quality of life for all Ohioans.