Enhancing Agriculture and the Environment

Ohio’s diverse agricultural, horticultural and forestry industries contribute more than $100 billion to the state’s economy every year. OSU Extension agriculture and natural resources (ANR) programs assist with technology, marketing and educational support – protecting Ohio’s position in the global marketplace.

OSU Extension also works to help local residents and community leaders enhance and sustain the environment and natural areas throughout the state, balancing economic advancement with environmental sustainability.

Our ANR professionals help producers develop and expand profitable, sustainable farming and other agricultural businesses – thereby creating jobs and economic opportunity for Ohio’s citizens. They also provide leadership, collaboration, consulting, unbiased information, applied research, and access to land-grant university knowledge to address local issues and needs.

The OSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources program area assists farmers and agribusinesses with one-on-one instruction as well as group instruction and research throughout Hardin County and beyond.  Agricultural and Natural Resources issues and problems are addressed using research-based information from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University and other land grant universities.  The county Extension office serves as a local hub for on-farm agricultural research as well as a location for programs and program development around the county.

Current on-farm research being conducted in Hardin County include soybean yield-limiting factor studies, corn seed population test plot, seed treatment insecticide research, rainfall research,  Western Bean Cutworm trapping, and a county weed survey.  The office cooperates with area farmers to collect data to help make recommendations to improve agricultural production in the county and around the state.  Weekly agronomic crop production issues are communicated through conference calls and recommendations are given through the statewide Crop Observation and Recommendation Network (C.O.R.N. Newsletter).

Yearly instructional programs include Farm Bill education, pesticide recertification, fertilizer certification, Ag Council and Tillage Club breakfast programs, Conservation Tillage Conference, fruit and vegetable production Crop Walk, pond clinic, carcass show, sheep management tour, Twilight Tour events, as well as webinars for agronomic crop production and sheep/goat producers.  The Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator coordinates the Hardin County Agriculture Hall of Fame Banquet, as well as works with other agricultural groups in the county such as the Soil and Water Conservation District, Farm Bureau, Cattle Producers, Dairy Service Unit, Pork Producers, Sheep Improvement Association, and the Hardin County Agricultural Society.

You can also learn more about all OSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources programs at http://agnr.osu.edu.


Extension has been helping all Ohioans build better lives, better businesses and better communities since 1914.