Here we are heading into mid-January with no severe weather (so far). The ground is pretty saturated with all the rain, but no snow!

At least the days are getting a little longer every day now and soon we can look forward to spring. This is the time of year for you farmers to get to some of the winter meetings. There are a few that I want to remind you of.

Next Friday, Jan. 15, from 9 a.m. to noon, a free fertilizer applicator certification training will be held at the Radnor Township Hall.

This meeting will fulfill the requirement for applicators who need the agricultural fertilizer applicator certification. Individuals who have not been certified have until 2017 to become certified as a fertilizer applicator.

Fertilizer certification is required if you apply fertilizer (other than manure) to more than 50 acres of agricultural production grown primarily for sale. If you hire a co-op or other custom applicator to make your fertilizer applications, you do not need to be certified.

Our pesticide recertification class is scheduled for Feb. 15 at the Radnor Township Hall in Radnor from 9 a.m. to noon. There is a cost of $35 and you need to call the office at 740-833-2030 to register.

On Feb. 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Evolution Ag in Plain City, OSU Extension/Delaware County will be hosting an intensive soybean management workshop.

This workshop will take an in-depth look into management, including row width, seeding rates and yield components. Soybean insect management will cover late season pests and seed treatments. The soybean fertility section will look into updating the tristate fertility recommendations. Soybean cyst nematode will be covered in the disease section along with seed treatments. CCA credits and pesticide credits (private and commercial) will be available.

The registration form is due Feb. 19 and can be found at http://delaware.osu.edu/news/upcoming-ag-programs. The cost is $70, which includes publications and lunch.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture will be conducting the pesticide applicator’s test on Thursday, March 10, at 10 a.m. at our office, 149 N. Sandusky St. There will be a training session starting at 9 a.m. before the class.

Current licensed private applicators can also add categories to their existing licenses by taking and passing specific category tests offered by the ODA on March 10.

For those of you who need to add a category – or want to take the test for the first time — you can register on ODA’s website — www.agri.ohio.gov.

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at the office — 740-833-2030.