Ag Notes Week of 9/09/19

Conservancy hosts sustainable ag event

Black Swamp Conservancy is inviting the public to explore the topic of local, sustainable agriculture by attending a showing of the film, “The Biggest Little Farm” on Thursday, Sept. 19.
The screening, which is free and open to the public, will take place at 6 p.m. in the Maumee Indoor Theatre, 601 Conant St.
“The Biggest Little Farm” chronicles the eight-year quest of John and Molly Chester as they trade city living for 200 acres of barren farmland and a dream to harvest in harmony with nature. Through perseverance and embracing the opportunity provided by nature's conflicts, the Chesters uncover a biodiverse design for living that exists far beyond their farm and its seasons.
A panel discussion will follow the film. Several local farms will have displays. Attendees can meet farmers, learn about their practices and sign up for CSA (community supported agriculture) shares.
Black Swamp Conservancy, a Northwest Ohio land conservation organization, is also bringing together three local experts to speak on the role of ecologically-responsible farming in our local food economy, including Michael Schiewer, owner and farmer of Herbaceous, Ltd.; Maureen Brogan, owner of The Original Sub Shop and Sean Fitzgerald, manager of Phoenix Earth Food Co-op. The discussion will be moderated by Danielle Kusner, CCA, an agronomist with The Andersons who leads their initiatives in organics and soil health.
For more info, visit www.blackswamp.org call 419-833-1025.

Clean Your Streams
Partners for Clean Streams announced the 23rd Annual Clean Your Streams Day will be held Saturday, Sept. 21.
For more than 20 years, volunteers have gathered together on Clean Your Streams Day to remove trash from Lake Erie and the streams and rivers across the greater Toledo region.
Individuals of all ages, organizations, businesses and groups are invited to sign up for the unique service opportunity. Register online at http://partnersforcleanstreams.org/cys23/register through Sept. 13.
The cleanup will begin at 8 a.m. with a check-in, orientation and light breakfast. Groups will then be assigned a site where they will do the three-hour cleanup.
There are seven kickoff locations this year, including the Oregon Municipal Building, Middlegrounds Metropark, Three Meadows Park Shelter House, Side Cut Metropark, University of Toledo Law School, Olander Park Open Air Shelter and Monroe Street United Methodist Church.
By 9 a.m., volunteers will spread out to their assigned sites, all within the Ottawa River, Swan Creek, Maumee River and Lake Erie tributaries and Maumee Bay watersheds. For three hours, volunteers will collect as much trash as possible at their assigned sites and track the information on data cards.
After the cleanup is over, at 12:30 p.m., all volunteers are invited to celebrate at a Volunteer Appreciation Picnic, where they will be treated to a free lunch, thanked with a Clean Your Streams t-shirt, and provided cleanup results, door and raffle prizes, challenge awards, educational activities from partnering organizations, and more.
Clean Your Streams Day is part of the annual International Coastal Cleanup, during which hundreds of countries participate.

Sheep expert to speak at September breakfast forum
Roger High, director of livestock, Ohio Farm Bureau, and executive director, Ohio Sheep Improvement Association (OSIA) and Ohio Sheep & Wool Program (OSWP), will provide an update on statewide initiatives to increase the sheep population and producer profitability at the Northwest Ohio Ag-Business Breakfast Forum, Thursday, Sept. 19.
The event will be hosted by the Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT) at the Agricultural Incubator Foundation (AIF), 13737 Middleton Pike (SR 582) in Bowling Green.
A lifelong farmer at his own sheep operation in Union County, High is an expert in the industry.
Breakfast and informal networking will start at 8 a.m., with the program to follow. The cost is $10 for those who RSVP in advance, or $12 (cash or check) at the door without RSVP, which includes breakfast and networking opportunities. Reserve a seat online at ciftinnovation.org
The Northwest Ohio Ag-Business Breakfast Forum is an educational networking opportunity to provide information on current issues, trends and programs available to the agricultural community and those who support its advancement.