Paulding Commissioners Update on OSU Extension Office Activities | Local News

PAULDING — An update on the activities of the OSU Extension Office here was given at a recent meeting of Paulding County Commissioners.

County OSU Extension Educator Sarah Noggle reviewed the first quarter of 2022 with Michael Schweinsberg, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development; Erika Johanns, program assistant for SNAP-Ed; and Rachel Cochran, water quality topic manager for Van Wert, Paulding and Defiance counties.

Recertification of pesticide and fertilizer applications were among the tasks handled in the first three months of the year.

Eighty-six applicants were recertified in Paulding County over three sessions, while instructions were provided to 171 applicants in Defiance, Henry and Williams counties.

Some 127 fertilizer recertifications were provided in Paulding County over three sessions, along with 92 in Henry and Williams counties.

Cochran explained that she has held five water quality seminars to discuss topics such as phosphorus, nitrogen and conservation drainage. Over 200 people were reached.

She noted that 211 farmers were trained on fertilizer application laws during the recertification process. The minutes of the meeting noted that “this will allow farmers in the region to make decisions about their fertilizer and nutrient management plans.”

According to Cochran, she also “co-authored an article published in Ohio Country Newspaper on the interactions of drainage water management and cover crops. This will allow farmers in the region to combine two best agricultural management practices to reduce nutrient losses in the fields.

In addition, three “5-Minute Agricultural Topic” videos were produced to provide information on phosphorus, manure and cover crops” to assist area farmers.

Other highlights from the OSU Extension Office: monthly meetings were held by Master Gardener volunteers from January through March, 296 Paulding County youth were reportedly involved in 4-H programs, and a virtual presentation on the new “stress on the farm” program was conducted virtually with 496 young people. participate and

The “farm stress” program – made possible by a grant from the Ohio Department of Agriculture – provides instruction for social workers, licensed counselors and practitioners “to understand farm life for guidance” in rural areas.

On another topic, Schweinsberg reported that a school 4-H club has been established at Divine Mercy Catholic School where students undertake a project and a school fair is planned. It would be the “first program of its kind” in Ohio, according to the minutes of the commissioners’ meeting.

Schweinsberg noted that 22 sophomores from Antwerp High School took part in “Adolescent Mental Health First Aid” while 27 juniors took part in the same program there from February 23 to March 30.

In other cases, Commissioners:

• Hosted the county land bank meeting.

• Attended Defiance County and Paulding County Employment and Family Services meeting in Defiance.

• met in executive session with Matt Miller, Assistant County Attorney, to discuss personnel.

• passed a resolution appointing Josh Sinn to a three-year term on the planning commission.

• Received the Paulding County Jail Monthly Report from Sheriff Jason Landers. He reported that in March the prison housed 46 inmates (32 men and 14 women) who served 505 days (10.9 days per inmate). Some 1,411 meals were served in March.

• Met with County Maintenance Manager Tim Yenser for his weekly update. He noted that a tour of the courthouse window and exterior door replacement project took place recently.

• approved a resolution allowing the Paulding County Senior Center to sell surplus equipment at public auction.

• passed a resolution allocating $250,000 in the 2022 budget for capital improvements.


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