‘Solar farms’: How to get unbiased information
Tony Nye - OSU Extension
Solar farms have become a hot topic of discussion in Ohio, and especially here in Clinton County and neighboring Highland County.
Large “utility-scale” solar energy development is on the rise in Ohio. In the past few years, the Ohio Power Siting Board has approved several large-scale solar projects with generating capacities of 50MW or more, and many more projects are pending approval.
These “solar farms” require a large land base, and in Ohio that land base is predominantly farmland.
These solar energy facilities noted on a map at the Ohio Siting Board website at https://bit.ly/3tEuolq will cover about 75,000 acres across Ohio, and many of those acres are currently in agricultural use.
Supporting Clinton County Master Gardeners
Tony Nye - OSU Extension
Roses are red, violets are blue, we have plants, how about you?
The Master Gardener Plant Sale is next weekend, Saturday, May 15 at the Clinton County Fairgrounds and I hope to see all of you! I realize I have already mentioned this event in an earlier column, but I wanted to acknowledge the Master Gardeners and all their efforts for this sale and what the proceeds of this event go for.
First off, the Clinton County Master Gardeners are OSU Extension volunteers that have gone through many hours of training and learning about many horticulturally related topics. In return, they provide literally hundreds of hours each year of volunteer service and education back to the Clinton County Community through several community activities.
Cicadas’ Brood X rising up
AIM Media Midwest
ODNR
COLUMBUS – The so-called “Brood X” cicadas are set to emerge in parts of western and central Ohio after 17 years underground, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
The cicadas will begin to emerge when the soil, eight inches beneath the ground, reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit. This typically happens between late-April and mid-May.
Shortly after emerging, cicadas will climb a vertical surface, like tree trunks, shed their exoskeletons, and develop into winged adults. The dried, shed exoskeletons are orangish in color and may remain in place or on the ground for several weeks.
Cold and snow vs. corn and soybeans
Tony Nye - OSU Extension
So, how many of your pro football teams drafted the right player the last couple of days? How many of you really don’t care? Either way, it has provided lots of discussion amongst many conversational circles.
The weather has certainly been a topic of discussion as well with snow over a week ago, highs in the 80’s this week and now the rain. Welcome to Ohio weather.
The rain put a screeching halt to planting progress late this week and the amount we received will keep producers out of the fields for a few more days. So, what’s ahead? According to weather, experts there appears to be some weather challenges ahead of us.
Brood X on its way sort of: We’ll soon see and hear cicadas, but just wait ‘til 2025
News Journal
COLUMBUS – The so-called “Brood X” cicadas are set to emerge in parts of western and central Ohio after 17 years underground, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
The cicadas will begin to emerge when the soil, eight inches beneath the ground, reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit. This typically happens between late-April and mid-May.
Shortly after emerging, cicadas will climb a vertical surface, like tree trunks, shed their exoskeletons, and develop into winged adults. The dried, shed exoskeletons are orangish in color and may remain in place or on the ground for several weeks.