Farming often is listed as one of the most stressful
occupations, yet most farmers say they wouldn’t trade it for any other job. However, stress that goes unrecognized and is not managed well can play havoc with the farm family and the farm operation. On the next Our Ohio Weekly, find out how to recognize the
common symptoms of stress, and effective ways to manage it.

Guests

Eric
Karbowski, Community Behavioral Health Extension Educator, Michigan State

David White, Account Manager for Government Relations, Ag Credit

Joe Dagher, Government and Legislative Affairs Officer, Farm Credit Mid America

In 2019, Governor Mike DeWine introduced his H2Ohio water quality initiative. The plan, which farmers in the Maumee River Watershed were able to sign up for earlier this year, is an investment in targeted solutions to help reduce phosphorus runoff and prevent algal blooms through a number of ways, including increased implementation of agricultural best practices and the creation of wetlands, improve wastewater infrastructure and replacing failing home septic systems. Despite a global pandemic, the rollout of H2Ohio began earlier this year. On the latest Our Ohio Weekly, find out how the initial rollout went and what the next year looks like for the program.

Guests:

Dorothy Pelanda, Director - Ohio Department of Agriculture

Janelle Mead, CEO - Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Kris Swartz, Past President - Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and currently serves as Chairman of the Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative

For the first time in its more than 100 year history, Ohio Farm Bureau’s annual meeting was largely held remotely across the state this past week. The yearly face-to-face gathering of members from all around Ohio was prohibited by orders from the Ohio Department of Health limiting indoor gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this first-of-its-kind annual meeting allowed members to get involved as much as they chose from the comfort of their home, physically together with other delegates from their county or while they are working on the farm. On this Our Ohio Weekly, host Ty Higgins shares some of the many highlights of this year’s Annual Meeting.

Guests:

Adam Sharp, executive vice president, Ohio Farm Bureau

Frank Burkett, president, Ohio Farm Bureau

Kim Harless, Organization Director, Ohio Farm Bureau

Dr. John Newton, chief economist, American Farm Bureau

Creating opportunities and increasing demand for soybeans means farmers that grow the commodity will get more money for every bushel. That is the task for the Ohio Soybean Council, more commonly known as the Soybean Checkoff. Promoting effective policies and legislation at the state and national levels for those same farmers falls in the purview of the Ohio Soybean Association. On the next Our Ohio Weekly, hear from leaders from both organizations.

Guests:

Kirk Merritt, Executive Director of the Ohio Soybean Council and Ohio Soybean Association

Ryan Rhodes, President of the Ohio Soybean Association and Marion County farmer

Cover crops, conservation tillage, and water management are just some of the topics you will hear about when you tune in to the Field Work Podcast, which is now in its 2nd season. This week on Our Ohio Weekly, meet the co-hosts of the Field Work Podcast as we talk about all of the hot topics that come with keeping agriculture sustainable.

Guests: Field Work Podcast hosts Zach Johnson and Mitchell Hora

Anyone who cares for another likely has experienced the stress and possibly the feelings of helplessness that can come with taking care of an ailing person. Those feelings may be enhanced due to the concerns of older citizens during the COVID-19 crisis. Managing burnout and resources for caregivers will be discussed this week on Our Ohio Weekly.

Guest - Laura Cherry Akgerman, Disability Services Coordinator, Ohio State University Extension

The Agribusiness industry in Ohio includes the entire crop and livestock supply chain, from production through distribution to final sale, as well as industries such as landscaping, parks, and golf courses. A new study looked at the career opportunities in this space. The data is promising for those looking for a career in agribusiness and those careers span far beyond barns and fields. What types of career opportunities does the state's #1 industry hold for Ohio’s up and coming workforce and will there be enough of that workforce to go around? We will get the answers to those questions and more on the next Our Ohio Weekly.


Guests - Dr. Bill LaFayette, owner, Regionomics®
Dan Durheim, Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation board member and Associate Vice President Sponsor Relations - Nationwide

Wade Smith of Whitehouse District 2 trustee of Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation chairman of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Board

Over five decades and five continents, Dr. Rattan Lal, a Distinguished University Professor in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), has reduced hunger by pioneering agricultural methods across the globe that not only restore degraded soil but also reduce global warming. His research recently paid off in a big way as he won the 2020 World Food Prize and $500,000. On the next Our Ohio Weekly, host Ty Higgins visits with Dr. Lal from some of his research plots on Ohio State’s Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Lab.

Guest - Dr. Rattan Lal, Distinguished Professor at Ohio State University and 2020 World Food Prize winner.

From chops to loins, ham to bacon, pork is the most consumed meat in the world. Pork production in the U.S. is worth an estimated $23.4 billion per year, with around 26% of the nearly 2.2 million metric tons of pork and pork products produced exported to other countries. Pigs consume billions of bushels of grain and oilseeds, giving a steady market to row crop farmers and they provide income for more than 60,000 pork producers, primarily in the Midwest. On the next Our Ohio Weekly, learn more about Ohio pork production and how the industry has weathered the challenges of 2020 and beyond.

Guests - Cheryl Day, executive vice president of the Ohio Pork Council
Dr. Chris Winslow, director of Ohio State's Ohio Sea Grant Program

The Supreme Court of Ohio was founded in 1802, established in the state constitution as a three-member court, holding courts in each county every year. The constitution was also approved that year, one year before Ohio officially became a state. The court now has seven members, a chief justice and six associate justices, each serving six-year terms and a total of 1550 other employees. On this Our Ohio Weekly, meet two of the Justices, Judi French and Sharon Kennedy, and learn about Ohio’s judicial structure and other functions of the highest court in the state.

Guests - Ohio Supreme Court Justices Judi French and Sharon Kennedy and USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue