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Agriculture & Natural Resources

The emerald ash borer continues to spread throughout Ohio and other states.  At this point it seems unlikely that it will be controlled by any means. Many municipalities in our area are facing the problems of ash tree removal, utilization, and replacement. On October 30, 2006, Huron, Sandusky, and Erie Counties co-hosted a seminar to address these issues. The meeting was attended by 35 people comprised mainly of public servants.  The program which was organized by Kathy Smith and Amy Stone, both of Ohio State University Extension, was very well received. Similar programs will likely be used across the state in 2007. 

Huron and Erie County Extension will work jointly to provide pesticide training for new applicators as well as current private applicators. Between the two counties we will host three sessions to better accommodate anyone who needs to be recertified. The dates will be January 25, February 21, and March 20, 2007.

The Huron County Soil and Water Conservation District continues to be a valuable partner to Extension. HCSWCD recently received a grant to protect the Great Lakes Basin though the use of strip tillage. $60,000 was granted to approximately 20 producers for the purchase or rental of strip tillage equipment. Huron County Extension Educator Mike Gastier served on the grant advisory committee.

The Master Gardener program is up and running as its own entity in Huron County. This was the original intent of the program and the plan seems to be working very well in our county. The Master Gardeners will be meeting on Monday evenings February through April. The 2007 class of Master Gardeners currently has 18 students enrolled.

Good Foods for Good Health programs are held monthly in partnership with Norwalk Parks and Recreation Department with over 240 total attending.  Each program features a specific food topic and related nutrition, food safety, and food preparation information, food demonstration, taste testing, discussion, handouts, and door prizes.  Norwalk Parks and Recreation provides over $5,000 per year in in-kind services for this program through advertising, registration, providing a site, set-up and clean-up.  An impact evaluation shows a mean increase of 34% on all knowledge and behavior items included.  Ninety-six percent of respondents gave an overall rating to the program of excellent or very good. 

Dining with Diabetes was offered for the first time in Huron County in 2006.  OSUE partnered with Fisher-Titus Medical Center and 88 people participated in three series of classes.  The Fisher-Titus Foundation provided over $500 in support for this educational program that includes a dinner, food demonstration and lesson related to helping diabetics and their families follow a diabetic diet.  A post session survey shows 97% of respondents rated the training as excellent or very good.  Over 90% were able to list at least one behavior change they planned to make as a result of program participation.

 Additional FCS Programs in 2006 included six Health and Safety in Family Child Care Training sessions, Child Development and Child Abuse Awareness training for new 4-H volunteers, 4-H Camp Sew Fun, nutrition and food safety programs at 4-H camp, quarterly Educational Baby Showers for WIC clientele, Chef Olympics for 4-H members at the Huron County Fair, FCS Super Clinic for 4-H members, and Perspectives on Parenting classes.  

The 2006 Huron County 4-H Youth Development program had an enrollment of 1042 youth between the ages of 5 and 18 in fifty-one 4-H Community Clubs. 1004 4-H members completed their club work in 2006. This gives us a member completion percentage of 96 %. Members enrolled in 1842 projects this year. 1745 projects were evaluated and completed. Our project completion percentage is 95 %.

The first Industrial Site Improvement Fund Grant that was awarded to Huron County for the Norwalk Commons Project paid out $220,000 in its first draw of $425,000.  The remaining amount will be paid out before the end of 2006.  We will be submitting another ISIF grant application on behalf of the Norwalk Raceway Park to assist with an expansion project for 2007.

If you have questions or would like more information on these or any of our educational programs, please contact the Extension office or e-mail us at:

huro@postoffice.ag.ohio-state.edu

OSU Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, age, gender identity or expression, disability, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or veteran status.  Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Director, OSU Extension TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868.

Ohio State University Extension is committed to ensuring that all citizens have access to it's research-based information.  If you are having accessibility problems with this web site which are addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and need an alternate format, send e-mail to: huro@postoffice.ag.ohio-state.edu, or phone 419/668-8219.

Updated: December 2006