Ag Notes Week of 10/7/19

Milkweed pod collection
Due to the drastic decline in the population of the Monarch butterfly, the Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative (OPHI) is seeking public involvement to collect and drop off common milkweed seed pods from established plants at collection stations around the state.
The seeds will be used to establish new plantings and create additional habitat for the Monarch butterfly and other pollinators throughout Ohio.
The Lucas Soil and Water Conservation District is participating in this program and will serve as a local collection station for Lucas County. Collected pods can be dropped off anytime in the designated bin outside the Lucas SWCD office at 130-A West Dudley St., Maumee.
For a list of the participating Soil and Water Conservation Districts, visit www.ophi.info.
Milkweed is essential to the survival of Monarch butterflies and Ohio is a priority breeding area for Monarchs. The Monarch butterflies that hatch here in the late summer migrate to Mexico for the winter and are responsible for starting the life cycle all over again in the spring.
Through Oct. 31, everyone is encouraged to collect fully-mature, dry milkweed pods from established plants on their property and drop them off at the nearest pod collection station. Seed pods should be collected when the pods are dry and gray or brown in color. If the center seam pops with gentle pressure, they can be picked.
It is best to put harvested pods in paper bags or paper grocery sacks. Avoid using plastic bags because they can attract moisture and allow mold to develop. Store seeds in a cool, dry area until they can be delivered to the closest pod collection area.
Harvesting seed pods from milkweed plants will not have any effect on the population of milkweed in established areas.
Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative (OPHI) was formed in response to the 2014 petition to list the Monarch butterfly as federally endangered.
For more information, call OPHI at 614-416-8993 or the Lucas Soil and Water Conservation District at 419-893-1966 or www.lucasswcd.org.

Fish sale deadline
The Ottawa Soil and Water Conservation District is accepting orders for its Fish Sale through Wednesday, Oct. 9.
The sale offers a pond owners convenient and low-cost way to stock or add to their current fish population.
Fender’s Fish Hatchery will deliver fish Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 1-3 p.m. at the Ottawa SCWD, 240 W. Lake St. Unit B, Oak Harbor. Pond owners should bring their own containers, filled with pond water. A trash container with a plastic trash liner serves as an ideal container.
For more info or an order form, call 419-898-1595 or email beki.hineline@ottawaswcd.com.

Water quality workshop
The Black Swamp Educators of the Northwest Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Districts will host a Water Quality Workshop at the University of Toledo Lake Erie Center, 6200 Bayshore Rd., Oregon, on Friday, Oct. 26 from 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
This one-day educator workshop will cover water quality education topics for all grade levels with make-it, take-it back-to-the classroom activities, education models and curriculum activities. The cost to attend is $25, which includes lunch, refreshments and resource materials.
The registration form is available online at www.woodswcd.com/educators.html or at wcswcd@woodswcd.com. The registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 11.
Call the Wood SWCD at 419-354-5517, #4, with questions.