FOREST — Precision Ag Field Day is Aug. 23 at Kellogg Farms, 17392 TR 50 near Forest. Aaron Heilers, project manager for Blanchard River Demonstration Farms will give an overview of the water quality and nutrient management goals of the three farms in Hardin and Hancock counties.

Producers enrolled in Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) must protect all cropland and noncropland acres on the farm from wind and water erosion and noxious weeds. Producers who sign ARC county or individual contracts and PLC contracts agree to effectively control noxious weeds on the farm according to sound agricultural practices.

COLUMBUS — Recent changes to the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s home loan programs mean more rural Ohioans may be able to reach their homeownership goals, according to the USDA.

Elected officials participated in the annual soil and water conservation tour July 10. Each year the Wyandot Soil and Water Conservation District organizes the event to show elected officials projects that have involved district staff.

Hours Fair admission gates are open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., except Aug. 6, when they close at 6 p.m.

The election of pork producer delegate candidates for the 2018 National Pork Producers (Pork Act) delegate body will take place at noon Thursday during an Ohio Pork Council Board of Directors meeting at the Cincinnati Radisson, 668 W. 5th St., Covington, Kentucky.

The Farm Service Agency reminds of contract conditions and terms, landowners who plan to sell farmland enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, family members of deceased owners who had a CRP contract, owners of property that has changed from an individual to a trust or other entity and those who have added names to the deed.

FOREST — The Ohio State University Extension Office in Hardin County recently announced the Hardin County Precision Ag Field Day for Aug. 23 at Kellogg Farms, 17392 TR 50, Forest. Bill and Shane Kellogg have committed 305 acres to the Blanchard River Demonstration Farms Network in cooperation with Ohio Farm Bureau and U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In the past, aesthetic mowing of Conservation Reserve Program grass cover was a widely accepted practice by many participants. Today with more research and understanding, it has been shown that properly managed grass cover will reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and is more beneficial to wildlife than annually mowed grass covers.

COLUMBUS — Ohio’s farmers and rural communities will benefit from reforms to the state’s farmland tax policy, culminating a three-year effort led by Ohio Farm Bureau. The reforms were included in the new state budget signed by Gov. John Kasich.