REYNOLDSBURG — As winter approaches and more people look to firewood to help heat their homes, the Ohio Department of Agriculture is offering some basic tips to help when purchasing wood.

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation will host its 98th annual meeting Wednesday through Dec. 2 in Columbus. Nearly 340 delegates from all Ohio counties will establish the organization’s policy goals for the coming year, elect leaders, recognize county Farm Bureau and individual achievements and conduct leadership training.

COLUMBUS — Ohio’s young hunters braved less than ideal weather conditions and checked 5,930 white-tailed deer during the two-day youth gun season, Nov. 19-20, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. During last year’s youth gun season, 7,223 white-tailed deer were checked.

WASHINGTON — Consumers’ holiday food costs have declined, but farmers still receive less than 20 percent of the food dollar, according to the annual Thanksgiving edition of the National Farmers Union Farmer’s Share publication.

Fifteen Upper Sandusky High School FFA members recently participated in the Wyandot County job interview contest at Mohawk School. The job interview career development event is one of the most beneficial events of which FFA students may be involved, USHS agricultural education teacher and FFA adviser Anna Creswell said.

Three area residents have been nominated in Local Administrative Area 3 in Wyandot County to serve as a Farm Service Agency committee member. LAA No. 3 consists of Antrim, Jackson, Marseilles, Mifflin and Pitt townships.

MOUNT BLANCHARD — The Riverdale FFA chapter recently hosted a leadership night for surrounding FFA chapters. Johnathon Cottingim, state sentinel, and Ryan Matthews, state vice president at large, visited to offer workshops for FFA members.

MOUNT BLANCHARD — Four Riverdale FFA members recently made up a team to complete in the district food science contest. The team, consisting of Carrol Pauley, Cara Pauley, Kohlten Shane and Hunter Shane, placed second in the district to win an opportunity to compete in the state contest Dec. 3.

COLUMBUS — Beginning Jan. 1, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Guidance 209 will be effective, and pork producers of all sizes will face major changes regarding access to feed and water medications, according to a press release from the Ohio Pork Council.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency Administrator Val Dolcini recently announced that $1.5 million will be available in fiscal year 2017 for farmers and foresters who harvest and deliver biomass for renewable energy.