The Upper Sandusky FFA ag and urban soils teams will compete in a national competition in Oklahoma City on Thursday, pitting their soil judging skills against teams from across the United States. Participating teams qualify for the national event by placing among the top five teams at contests held in their home states. The teams match skills in judging the adaptability of land for various purposes including farming, range management and homesite construction.

WILBERFORCE — The Environmental and Natural Resources Career Development Event allows the top natural resource teams in the state to compete as a team against each other for the opportunity to represent Ohio at the national level.

The Upper Sandusky FFA recently hosted its 82nd annual Parent-Member Banquet to celebrate the achievements of the FFA and its members over the past year. More than 400 members, community figures and parents came to support the program.

Each year, the area’s agricultural community and area businesses celebrate National Agriculture Week during the month of March. This year National Ag Week was held March 10–16. The Wyandot County Ag Week Steering Committee sponsored a poster contest for the fourth graders in Wyandot County with the theme “Farmers Lead the Way.”

The Upper Sandusky FFA is sponsoring its 32nd Annual Farm Toy Show from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the Upper Sandusky High School gymnasium and cafeteria. There are more than 80 tables set up by over 25 different vendors dealing in farm and construction toys, NASCAR, and related memorabilia.

Gina Lewis and Kayla Weaver were recipients of honorary degrees at the 82nd Annual Upper Sandusky FFA Banquet April 4 in the Upper Sandusky High School gymnasium.

COLUMBUS — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service encourages people and groups wanting to restore and protect critical wetlands, agricultural lands and grasslands to consider enrolling their property into conservation easements.

COLUMBUS — Controlling where the cattle roam may soon get a whole lot easier. Animal science researchers with The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) will be testing a virtual fence for cows and other livestock this summer. It’s akin to an invisible fence for a dog, triggering a harmless but attention-getting shock if the animal crosses an unseen boundary.

BUCYRUS — Luke Scott will represent Wynford FFA and the state of Ohio in the National FFA Star in Agribusiness. Growing up, he spent countless hours with his father and grandfather conducting all necessary activities for agricultural production.

COLUMBUS — The next deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program applications to be considered for funding in fiscal year 2019 is May 10. The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service plans to invest up to $700 million nationally for new enrollments and contract extensions in fiscal year 2019.