COLUMBUS — The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation is providing $200,000 for county Farm Bureau-led projects that help improve water quality in local communities. With additional matching funds from partnering organizations, the projects are expected to provide more than $460,000 in total resources.

The nomination period for local Farm Service Agency county committees began June 15. It is important for county committees to reflect America’s diversity.

COLUMBUS — The deadline is less than a week away for Ohio home cooks to submit their best culinary recipes for the 2016 Ohio State Fair. At this year’s fair, which runs from July 27 to Aug. 7, the Ohio Poultry Association once again will offer Ohio cooks opportunities to compete in three different culinary contests on July 30, including a new grilling competition.

BUCYRUS — The Crawford Soil and Water Conservation District will host a pasture clinic June 21 for area farmers and landowners interested in learning how to improve their grazing and pasture management skills. The field day will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a light meal, followed by the clinic for beginning and seasoned grazers or pasture owners.

MOUNT BLANCHARD — Before school ended for the year, the Riverdale FFA took the school’s fourth graders to 3 Flags Dairy to teach them about what is done on dairy farms. The dairy is located in Forest and owned and operated by the Kruiter family, which has two children in the FFA program.

CAREY — The Carey FFA chapter recently held its annual banquet to celebrate the past year with about 200 attendees.

BUCYRUS — The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association is seeking volunteers for an invasive species control project from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 18 at Daughmer Savannah State Nature Preserve, Bucyrus. The ONAPA calls Daughmer Prairie Savannah, a state nature preserve managed by the Crawford Park District, “one of the finest prairie savannas in the country.”

FINDLAY — Hunters interested in hunting Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area on the opening day of teal season and Labor Day may enter the online lottery, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.

WASHINGTON — The National Farmers Union has released a series of 10 educational videos to spread awareness about farm safety issues and best practices.

COLUMBUS — State environmental officials are reminding anglers planning to pursue striped, white and hybrid-striped bass to check 2016-17 Ohio fishing regulations before dropping their lines in the water.