Ohio Farm News
By Roger Bender

Learning about grass and legumes becomes a practical, even hands-on experience when strolling across the same acreage grazed by animals. A Sept. 16 Pasture Walk in western Ohio gives livestock farmers the chance to closely check out 115 acres of land being improved into a profitable food source for beef cattle, stockers, dairy cows or heifers, sheep, horses, goats, llamas or alpacas.

Located at 20200 State Route 47 in Maplewood, interested farmers can find the site just east of where State Route 65 intersects with State Route 47 from the north. Gibbs Farms LLC, our host, has done extensive renovation work since this spring, including the installation of a new perimeter fence, grubbing of brush and much more.

The program begins at 6:30 p.m. sharp. That is when the wagons leave the parking area for a half-mile ride to back pastures, where most of the “Harvesting on the Hoof” education begins. Please keep in mind, if you arrive after 6:30, your one-half mile hike results in missing the initial “Pasture Walk” discussion done by Jeff McCutcheon, Ohio State University extension grazing specialist.

Pasture renovation and modification is the focus of McCutcheon’s comments Thursday evening, with the Gibbs’ 115-acre pasture ideal for the walking educational tour. Question McCutcheon as he reviews stocking rates, stock piling of forages to extend the grazing season, fencing, forage species identification and managing cool season grasses.

Bob Hendershot, NRCS grazing guru, plans to be on hand as well to share his insight on various discussion items.

In addition to the installation of new perimeter fencing and brush grubbing at the site, Gibbs Farms has refurbished a well, drilled a new well, created four large 24- to 30-acre paddocks, hung 16 new gates and installed 12 under-gate electric fence applications.

Speakers and participants in the Pasture Walk will be welcome to share their ideas on the best ways to keep cleared locusts from regrowth, water distribution techniques, restoration of damaged areas of the native pasture, use of poultry manure to build soil fertility and more.

Refreshments provided by Avondale Farm (Woody and Ann Joslin) will be served at the hunting cabin/pond area near the end of the walking tour.

Keep in mind: Be on time for Thursday’s Shelby County Pasture Walk at 6:30 p.m. or walk one-half mile more than planned.
Sponsored by OSU extension and the Shelby Soil and Water Conservation District, this exercise of the mind and body will benefit your animals, as well. If driving in from outside our area and you need additional directions, call my cell at 937-489-5217.

Driving farm tour
This is one busy week! This Sunday’s Shelby County Drive-It-Yourself Farm Tour from 1-6 p.m. will be a free event showcasing western Ohio agriculture.

Begin your experience by taking Exit 102 off Interstate 75 between Anna and Botkins. Turn west, drive to the first intersection and turn left onto County Road 25A. Drive one-half mile to see beef and swine at the Robert and Tammy Barhorst Farms.

Then, pick up a map to check out dairy cows and calves, plus milking, at the Mike and Sarah Albers Dairy; reindeer at Eugene and Mary Rickert’s; a one-room schoolhouse restoration project, farm shop and dairy beef at the Bill and Bonnie Elsass plantation; Steve and Terri Heitman’s Shelby Fish Farm; Mystical Acres Alpacas owned by Mike and Marlene Peltier; and majestic work horses in the Mark and Leslie Stowe Barn.

Bring the whole family to these stops, enjoy the food and demonstrations and check out the conservation points of interest on the way. Our farm tour is scheduled for even-numbered years and attracts up to 1,000 people – half from farms and half from urban areas.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Roger Bender may write to him in care of this publication.