Drought meetings set for farmers

Information submitted

REYNOLDSBURG — The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), Ohio State University Extension and USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), continue to host a series of meetings throughout the state in September and October to provide crop and livestock farmers with information on farming in a drought and on accessing available relief resources.

In July, Governor John R. Kasich signed Executive Order 2012-11K, instructing state agencies to work with Ohio’s farmers to minimize the potential environmental and economic impact of an agricultural drought. As part of the order, ODA was instructed to hold a series of educational meetings to discuss forage management, water availability, heat stress on livestock, mitigation strategies and other drought-related topics.

The meetings will include officials from ODA, Ohio State University Extension and FSA. The public will have the opportunity to talk with experts and ask questions at the following meetings:

September 27, 5:30-8 p.m., Hocking College — John Light Hall (Room 195), 3301 Hocking Parkway, Nelsonville

October 1, 5:30-8 p.m., HiTech Center — Central Conference Room, 1575 North High Street, Hillsboro

October 3, 5:30-8 p.m., Northwest State Community College — Community College Auditorium (Room E117), 22600 State Route 34, Archbold

For more information on other drought related resources, visit http://www.agri.ohio.gov/TopNews/DroughtInformationAndResources/.