October highlights agriculture

By MIKE WILSON 

As I write this column during the end days of summer, with a hint of fall in the air, I look forward to two upcoming agriculture-related events during the same weekend in early October.

First is the upcoming Trumbull Soil and Water Conservation District's 52nd annual meeting and awards ceremony on Oct. 12 at the Trumbull County Agriculture and Family Education Center in Cortland.

It all starts with the election of two SWCD supervisors, with voting from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. There are three candidates, Nick Bellas from Warren, Richard Houk from Newton Township and Peter Kepner from Hartford Township, running for two positions.

Then the Friends of the Land Conservation Awards ceremony at 9:30 a.m. is to be followed by a meeting which includes the kickoff orientation session to a new conservation initiative from the Ohio SWCD Federation called the "4-R Tomorrow" program.

The demand for food continues to build as our world population increases by 2 billion people in the next 40 years, with our seed industry predicting a 3 to 4 percent yield growth per year. Then you figure in nutrient-related water impairment in all of the continental U.S. states, and there will be pressure to limit the use of fertilizers.

The 4-R Tomorrow program will address these issues through urban backyard conservation and agricultural nutrient stewardship.

On the following day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 13, will be the annual Trumbull County Farm- Foliage Tour, a drive-it-yourself event which will feature seven main stops throughout Mesopotamia Township.

On this year's tour in the Amish part of our county, stops will include Miller's Amish Furniture, Kuhn Farm Equipment, End of Commons General Store, Ridgeview Farm, and the Mesopotamia Historical Society as well as Mesopotamia United Methodist church, which both will be selling breakfast, lunch and dinner.

This is a Farm Bureau event that will help educate residents about the farming community and offers a view of the ever-changing colors in the fall here in northeast Ohio. There will also be a leisurely, tractor-drawn hay ride near the square to visit Miller's Amish Furniture, since there is very limited parking at that stop.

The tour committee thanks the Trumbull County Tourism Bureau, Trumbull County Farm Bureau, Trumbull County Antique Tractor Club, Mesopotamia Business Association, Farm Service Agency and Trumbull SWCD for their support.

Many other local businesses will be open and supporting the event including the Old Stone House Bed and Breakfast, available to visitors wanting a place to stay close to the stops.

So be sure to attend both the SWCD annual meeting where you can vote, congratulate our award-winners and learn about the latest conservation program in Ohio and then the next day visit the annual Farm Foliage Tour stops which highlight our number one industry in Trumbull County, Agriculture.

Mike Wilson is the Executive Director of the Trumbull Soil and Water Conservation District and is an Associate Member of the Trumbull County Farm Bureau.

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