Past Warner Grant Reports

Summer Annual Double Crop Organic Forage Production

PI: Allen Gahler, (Extension Educator, Sandusky County, OSU) and Jason Hartschuh, (Extension Field Specialist, Dairy and Precision Livestock, OSU)  Farmers: Dakota Sheahan and Steve Turnow

In an organic cropping system that includes wheat, there are currently 9 months when an agronomic crop is not usually grown after wheat harvest and before corn when weeds must be controlled. Our local producers typically plant frost seeded or interseeded red clover for this weed control and mow the clover to control weeds. As they look for ways to diversify their operations, they are looking to grow a crop during part of this non-profitable time that can be sold as an organic forage or feed into a diversified livestock operation.
 

Researching Small Farm Scale Grain Storage for Heirloom Grains

PI: Laura Lindsey (Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, OSU) Farmers: Doug and Valerie Kinsman (The Kinsman Farm, Archbold, OH)

Heirloom grains are growing in popularity among consumers. The Kinsman Farm in Fulton County, Ohio, grows food grade heirloom and rare grains. The objective of this project was to determine best practices for on‐farm bulk storage of these grains.

Design Tool for Shallow Geothermal-Assisted Season Extension for Ohio Farmers

PI: Dr. Ajay Shah (Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, OSU) and Timothy McDermott, (Agriculture and Natural Resources, OSU)  Farmers: Graham and Tonni Oberly (Oaks and Sprouts Limited, Urbana, OH)

This project sought to quantify the heating and cooling benefits of a pilot shallow geothermal earth‐toair heat exchange (EAHX) system for season extension in a high tunnel and to monitor the impacts on soil thermal reserves of operating the system 24/7. It also sought to improve the flexibility of the EAHX spreadsheet‐based design tool for use at other sites.

Cost-effectiveness of caterpillar tunnels for mitigating impacts of heat on production of leafy greens in central Ohio

PI: Timothy McDermott, (Agriculture and Natural Resources, OSU)  Farmers: Michelle Nowak and Teddy Brown (Franklinton Farms, Columbus, OH)

To evaluate cost-effective ways of mitigating the impact of heat stress on small-scale production of salad greens in central Ohio.

Seeding for Success: Collaboration to Enhance Sustainability through Using Seed Mats

PI:  Matt Kleinhenz (Horticulture and Crop Science, OSU)  Farmers:  Vincent Owens (Fulfillment Microfarms Ltd., Mansfield, OH), Tim Hicks (Happy Mouth Microfarm, LLC, Mansfield, OH), Marqua Myers (Glennhaven Farm, LLC, Fredericktown, OH), Matthew & Amanda Stanfield (GrowFourth Urban Farm, Mansfield, OH), Judith Wheeler (Gro-Naked Farm, LLC, Lexington, OH), Shayne Marhofer (Willow Springs Farm, Mansfield, OH), Justin Ocheltree (NECIC, Mansfield, OH) and Walt Bonham (The Food Lab, LLC, Mansfield, OH)

Seed mat technology has the potential to help growers of micro-/baby leafy vegetables meet soil health and farm productivity goals. Farmers lack the input required to utilize seed mats most effectively. This project will help optimize seed mat design and usage,  especially among SD, LR, and B limited resource farmers.

Improving Chestnut Graft Success Using Biological Controls

PI: Melanie Lewis Ivey and Mitchell Roth (Plant Pathology, OSU)  Farmer: Greg Miller (Route 9 Cooperative)

Chestnut production is a burgeoning sector of U.S. sustainable agriculture, supporting both fresh market and value-added industries (Hunt et al. 2012). Commercial nurseries in the U.S. estimate that 200-400 new acres of chestnuts are planted every year, with most growers in Ohio planting Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) or Chinese chestnut hybrids (Revord et al. 2022). Chestnuts are a perennial food crop that promote soil stability, carbon sequestration, and wildlife biodiversity.

The objective is to test commercially available biological control and plant health booster products for their impact on graft success including plant growth promotion and alteration of endophytic communities.

Evaluating low-cost approaches to optimize yields of spinach and lettuce during hotter summers.

PI: Timothy McDermott, (Agriculture and Natural Resources, OSU) Farmers: Michelle Nowak and Teddy Brown (Franklinton Farms, Columbus, OH)

The aim of this project is to test the effectiveness of affordable ways to mitigate the negative impacts of summer heat on heat-sensitive crops and thereby increase summer yields for small farms. New production techniques during summer’s hottest months will facilitate produce sales at competitive price points for any farmer who is able to implement these affordable solutions.

Pesticide Stewardship using Intelligent Sprayer Technology in the Apple Orchard.

PI: Melanie Lewis Ivey (Plant Pathology, OSU)  Farmers:  Andy Lynd (Lynd Fruit Farm) and Bill Bauman (Bauman Fruit Farm).

The objective of the proposed study is to validate the efficiency and effectiveness of intelligent sprayer technology in reducing pesticide use (by 50% in preliminary trials) while controlling diseases and insect pests at a commercial scale in two commercial apple orchards in Ohio and to validate and promote the use of this new technology to other producers across the state.

Production of yellow perch for local markets in North-East Ohio using intensive culture system.

PI: Konrad Dabrowski (Animal Sciences, SENR, OSU) Farmers: Kevin Fisher, John Grayson, Harry Speith (Pleasant Valley Fisheries)

In this proposed project, we intend to design, construct, and evaluate a filter and sprayer recirculating setup (FSRS) that could be operated in a wide variety of already established culture tanks to support the conditions needed for successful yellow perch larvae culture. If successful, newly established as well as experienced yellow perch producers could have a practical and lower-cost alternative (complementary technology) to the pond-based larvae culture method during a regular season.

Beneath the Surface: Investigating soil microbial communities and enzyme activities in a Canfield silt loam under various tillage and fertilizer management systems.

PI: Heather Neikirk (OSU Extension, Stark County) and Kathleen M. Bridges (Post-Doctoral Scholar, OSU) Farmers: Brian Simon, Bruce Baltzly, John Ickes, Jonathan Norman, Scott Hauenstein, Kenny Blim, Cliff Linder, Joyce Brahler, Alex Dragovich, Ron Frank, Ben Klick, Sharon Keister.

The objective of this proposal is to determine how management methods affect soil biological communities and their function on small farms. The measurements could reveal both the activity and diversity of the soil microbial community. The team will study how soil biology is affected by management in an on-farm setting, which can ultimately impact environmental and agricultural sustainability and profitability.

Application of Shallow Geothermal System for Season Extension in Ohio Greenhouses.

PI: Ajay Shah (Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering, OSU)  Farmers: Tonni and Graham Oberly (Oaks and Sprouts Limited)

This project will pilot an earth to air heat exchange system in a medium-sized producer greenhouse in Ohio, which will provide a blueprint for future research and installation of the earth to air geothermal greenhouse systems in Ohio, and develop a spreadsheet-based tool to help demonstrate the efficiency of shallow geothermal resources for energy resource consumption reduction and increased profitability of farms.

Disease Management for Sustainable Chestnut Production

PI: Melanie L. Lewis Ivey (Plant Pathology, OSU), and Amy C. Miller (Plant Pathology, OSU), Farmers: Route 9 Cooperative (Carrollton, OH) 

Blossom end rot (BER) of chestnut, which causes blackening of the kernels and shells, has become a significant economic detriment to chestnut production in Ohio since 2010. This project aims to explore host resistance of Chestnut trees to BER and to decipher the initial stages of infection. All studies will be conducted in partnership with Route 9 Cooperative, an agricultural cooperative of commercial chestnut orchards comprising over 200 acres in three Ohio counties for the purpose of exploring more sustainable options for controlling BER in commercial chestnut orchards.

Using Shade Cloth and Sprinklers to Mitigate Summer Heat for Leafy Greens

PI: Tim McDermott, (Agriculture & Natural Resources, OSU), Farmers: Michelle Nowak and Teddy Brown (Franklinton Farms, Columbus, OH) 

The aim of this project is to test the effectiveness of three simple, low-tech practices to mitigate summer heat and thereby increase summer yields of heat-sensitive crops at Franklinton Farms in Columbus, Ohio. The project will investigate the use of shade cloth and evaporative cooling via regular intervals of micro-sprinkler watering.

The following projects were selected for funding in 2020 and deferred due to pandemic - reports: pending

“Rabbit Grazers” Rolling Rabbit Coops

PI: Jacqueline Kowalski (Agriculture and Natural Resources, OSU Extension), Farmer: Kyla Werlin (Oxbow Orchard, Valley View, OH).

The goal of the proposed work is to determine the capabilities of “Rabbit Grazers”, a mobile coop that allow the rabbits to roll the coop forward when forage is desired. The specific objectives of the project are to: 1) determine how many rabbits can each Rabbit Grazer coop sustain, 2) verify if the coop allows rabbits to access enough forage to produce high-quality meat and to 3) establish whether the use of the coop can make pasture raising meat rabbits more sustainable for farmers.

Collaborative research to Improve Wild Pawpaw (Asimina triloba L. Dunal) Fruit Production

PI: Matthew Davies (Soil and Plant Community Restoration, OSU), Farmer: Ron Powel (Foxpaw Farm, Cincinnati, OH), and Chris Chimel (Integration Acres, Athen, OH).

This project aims to test whether targeted stand management focused on increasing light availability, reducing competition, and increasing genetic diversity will increase pawpaw fruit production and quality. This will be achieved by testing the efficacy of three management approaches for woodland pawpaw production: 1) increasing light availability and reducing nutrient limitation to improve fruit production 2) enhancing the genetic diversity of patches by successfully establishing commercial cultivars; and 3) establishing new pawpaw patches through direct seeding.

Effects of Foliar-Applied Plant Nutrients on Palatability & Intake of Forage by Dairy Cows

PI: Douglas Doohan (Weed Management in Fruits & Vegetables, OSU), Farmer: Marlin Miller (Organic Valley Farmer, Millersburg, OH).

The goal of the proposed work is to conduct a “choice” grazing experiment from mid-April to early July 2020 to measure the effect of foliar-applied nutrients on palatability and intake by dairy cows. Research design, conduct, and interpretation will be done in full collaboration with local organic dairy producers, and experimentation will take place on an organic dairy farm in Holmes County. Results will be shared with the farming, research and extension communities by means of a pasture walk while the experiment is underway, preparation of a farmer oriented final report, and an end-of-project meeting

Integrated No-Till Cropping Diversity to Control Topsoil and Nutrient Loss

PI: Rafiq Islam, (Soil, Water, & Bioenergy, OSU), and M.A. Rahman (Soil, Water, & Bioenergy, OSU), Farmers: David Brandt (Brandt Family Farms, Carroll, OH) 

This project proposes to establish a long-term study to evaluate the potential of NT cropping diversity with cover crop blends to decrease topsoil and nutrient loss, improve soil health, and support farm productivity relative to CT cropping diversity with and without cover crop blends. A split-plot experiment, with two tillage systems as main plots and two cropping diversity as subplots in a randomized complete block design with three replicates, will be established with Bt corn and Roundup-ready soybean.

Is Foliar Feeding an Economical Way for Organic Dairy Farmers to Boost the Quality and Quantity of Forages?

PI: Douglas Doohan (Weed Management in Fruits & Vegetables, OSU), Louceline Fleuridor (Research Scholar, Horticulture & crop Science, OSU), Farmer: Ron Milner (Milner Farms, Holmesville, OH).

Development of a Stand Assessment Decision-Support Tool for Small Grain Farmers in Ohio.

PI: Laura Lindsey (Plant Pathology, OSU), Farmers:  Caleb Wilson, Fred Pond (Pond Seed Company, Scott OH), Gary and Greg McGlinch (Darke County OH)

Is Foliar Feeding an Economical Way for Organic Dairy Farmers to Boost the Quality and Quantity of Forages?

PI: Douglas Doohan (Weed Management in Fruits & Vegetables, OSU), Louceline Fleuridor (Research Scholar, Horticulture & crop Science, OSU), Farmer: Ron Milner (Milner Farms, Holmesville, OH).

Optimizing Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation to Increase Ohio Strawberry Productivity. (Progress Report)

PI: Melanie L. Lewis Ivey (Fruit Pathology and Fresh Produce Safety, OSU), Rachel Medina (Plant Pathology, OSU), Farmer: Craig Mercer (Catalpa Grove Farm, Columbiana, OH)

Drone Brood Removal for Varroa Mite Control in Bee Hives

PI: Reed Johnson (Dept. of Entomology, OSU), Farmer: Peggy Garnes (Garnes Apiary, Medina, OH).

"College of Wooster Independent Study thesis that was made possible in part through Warner grant funding is here". - Reed M. Johnson.

Prevalence of Streptomycin-reistant Erwinia amylovora in Ohio Apple Orchards

PI: Melanie L. Lewis Ivey (Dept. of Plant Pathology, OSU), Farmer: Richard Wander (Lynd Fruit Farm, Pataskala, OH)

Soybean Variable Rate Technology to Improve Yield, Economic Return and Harvest Efficiency

PI: Laura Lindsey (Dept. of Horticulture and Crop Science, OSU), Farmers: Eric Berthold (Oberlin, OH) and Rick Bell (West Manchester, OH)  

Increasing the Yield and Quality of Stockpiled Forages

PI: Chris Penrose (OSU Extension, Morgan County), Farmer: Mark Landefeld (Berry Hill Farm, Woodsfield, OH)

Improving the Productivity and Quality of Woodland Pawpaw Production in Ohio

PI: G. Matt Davies (School of Environment & Natural Resources, OSU) & Brad Bergefurd (Horticulture Specialist, OSU South Centers), Farmers: Chris Chmiel (Integration Acres, Albany, OH), Ron Powell (Fox Paw farms, Manchester, OH) 

Augmentative  Biological Control of Spider Mites on Hops

PI: Celeste Welty (Bee Laboratory, OSU), Susan Ndiaye (Graduate Student, OSU), Farmers: Jamie Arthur (Little Miami Farms, Xenia, OH), Dell Dine (Enon Artesian Hops, Springfield, OH), Michael Ford (Grandpop's Hops, Marysville, OH), David Volkman (Ohio Valley Hops, Maineville, OH) 

Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation to Improve Soilborne Disease Management for Ohio Vegetable Growers

PI: Sally Miller & Anna Testen (Department of Plant Pathology, OSU), Farmers: Bob Jones & Cathy Seamans (The Chef's Garden, Huron, OH).  

Farmer-centered Evaluation of OMRI-approved Microbe-containing Products

PI: Matt Kleinhenz (Vegetable Crop Physiology & Management, OSU), Julie Laudick (Graduate Student, OSU), Zheng Wang (Post-Doc, OSU), Farmers: Mike Anderson (Whitebarn Organics, Albany, OH), David Benchoff (Banzhaf Garten Organic Farm, Ashland, OH), Chester Bowling (Black River Organics, Wellington, OH), Adam Welly (Wayward Seed Farm, Marysville, OH).

Maximize Continuous No-Till Sustainability with Cover Crop Blends and Zeolite 

PI: Rafiq Islam (Soil, Water & Bioenergy, OSU South Centers), Randall Reeder (Extension Engineer, OSU), Farmer: David Brandt (Brandt's Family Farm, Carroll, OH).

Evaluation of the Effect of Humic Acid Application on the Yield and Quality of Alfalfa Forage

PI: Rory Lewandowski (Wayne County OSU Extension Agriculture Educator), Farmer: Virgil Gasser (Creston, OH), Scott Ruck (Wooster, OH).

Early Broadcast Seeding of Cover Crops into No-Till and Conventional Till Corn 

PI: Rory Lewandowski (Wayne County OSU Extension Agriculture Educator), Dean Slates (Holmes SWCD Program Assistant, Holmes County OSU Extension Agriculture Educator),  Farmers: Mose Hershberger and Willis Miller (Fredericksburg, OH), Wayne Keim and Danny Gingerich (Millersburg, OH), Reuben Yoder (Dundee, OH).

Addressing Labor Requirements and Broiler Performance Issues in a Pastured Poultry Production System

PI: John Anderson (OSU), Farmers: Cara and Jason Tipton (Loudonville, OH) 

More Food And More Weeks – Evaluation of On-Farm Budget Friendly Produce Storage Methods to Extend Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Seasonal Share Lengths to its Members

Friendship Farms

Sustainable Mushroom Production for Small Scale Specialty Crop Growers

PI: Jacqueline Kowalski (Extension Educator, OSU), Farmer: Dianne Morgan (Maggie's Farm LLC, Cleveland, OH).

Season Extension with November Seeded Cool Crops 

PI: Douglas Jackson-Smith (Water Security, OSU), Farmer: Valerie Kinsman (Kinsman Farms, Archbold, OH)

Improving Manure Nutrient Utilization through Direct Application to Growing Crops

PI: Glen Arnold (OSU Extension Specialist), Farmers: Paul Dohlinghaus, Mike Shumm, Sam Fry, Chris & Eric Niekamp, Bob Homan, Gerald Vian, Dave Eyink. 

Participatory Plant Breeding of Crops for Organic and Sustainable Farming in Southwest Ohio

PI: David Francis (Plant Breeding and Genetics, OSU), Alfredo J. Huerta & Nancy L. Smith-Huerta (Dept. of Botani, Miami Univ., Oxford, OH), Farmers: Robert Rauen, Kristi Hutchinson, Scott & Rene McKinstry, Harv Roehling (Oxford, OH)

Cover Crop Demonstration Plots for Family Farm Field Day

PI: Gary Graham (Extension Educator, OSU), Farmer: Reuben J. Yoder (Dundee, OH)

Comparing the Effect of Different Organic Fertilizer Regimes on Garlic Bulb Size

PI: Jacqueline Kowalski (Extension Educator, OSU), Farmer: Alex Restaino (Amalfi Gardens, Cleveland, OH)

Vinegar as an Organic Herbicide in Naturally Grown Blueberry Production

PI: Brad Bergerfurd (OSU Extension), Farmers: Daniel Greenfield (Greenfield Berry Farm), Katie Myers-Griffith (Countryside Conservancy)

Utilizing Multiple Water Systems for Small Scale Livestock Operations in a Water Deficit Area: Pumping Water from the Cuyahoga River

PI: Rory Lewandowski (OSU Extension), Farmer: Terry Smith (Goatfeathers Point Farm),

Enhancing Sustainability of Freshwater Prawn Production in Ohio

PI: Laura Tiu (OSU South Centers), Farmer: Betty Jo Ratliff (Winchester, OH)

Aquaponics for High Tunnels – Developing a Design and Demonstration Unit for Local Food Production

PI: Laura Tiu (OSU South Centers), Farmer: Barry Adler

Using Leaf Humus as an Alternative Planting Material at the East Coit Urban Farm Project

PI: Jacqueline Kowalski (OSU Extension, Cuyahoga County), Joe Jerdonek, Sandra Pancoe & Gloria Jahlil (East Coit Urban Farm Project, Cleveland, OH)

Preparing farmers to meet crop quality goals

PI: Matt Kleinhenz (Vegetable Crop Physiology & Management, OSU), Natalie Bumgarner (Grad. Student, OSU), Farmers: Please see the report

Liquid Gold - Utilizing the Waste Product Whey from Ohio's Artisan Creameries as a Farm Based Feed Supplement in the Production of Whey Fed Pork and Cabrito (Goat)

PI: Jeff McCutcheon (OSU Sheep/Small Ruminant Specialist), Farmers: Abbe Turner (Lucky Penny Farms, Garrettsville, OH), Katrina Kohout (Salt of the Earth Farm, Randolph, OH), Kevin and Kristyn Henslee (Henslee Cattle, Seville, OH).

Herbicide Carryover Injury of Ohio Cover Crops following Corn, Soybean and Wheat

PI: Justin Petrosino (OSU Extension), Farmer: Vernon Ahrns (Ahrns Farms, Loramie, OH).

Pesticide Contamination and Honey Bees: Determining the Diversity and Concentration of Compounds found in Hives Located Across Ohio Agricultural Landscapes

PI: Mary Gardiner, Scott P. Prajzner and Larry Phelan (Entomology, OSU),  Farmers: 20 Beekeepers in OH.

Growing perennial grasses for biofuels on marginal land amended with municipal waste biosolids and flue gas desulfurization gypsum

PI: Rafiq Islam (Soil, Water & Bioenergy, OSU South Centers),  Farmer: Randall Reeder

Fall through Spring Sustainable- Organic Lettuce Production in Ohio

PI: Matt Kleinhenz (Vegetable Crop Physiology & Management, OSU), Natalie Bumgarner (Student, OSU)

Soil Nutrient Contribution to Perpetual Warm Season Grasses

PI: Mike Gastier (OSU Huron County Extension), Farmer: Robert and Linda Wheeler

Successful Transitioning to No-Till Corn-Soybean Rotation with Cover Crops for Home-Grown N, Weed Control, and Soil Quality Improvement

PI: Jim Hoorman (OSU Extension, Lima), Yogi Raut (OSU Piketon), Farmers: Aaron Lemaster, Robert Hartman

Community Supported Agriculture Integrates Sustainable Agriculture

PI: Gene McClure (Hardin County Extension), Farmers: William VanScoy (VanScoy Farm), Stephanie Jolliff (Ridgemont Schools)

Utilization of Companion Planting to Attract and Maintain Populations of Arthropod Natural Enemies of the Lepidopterous Pest Complex of Sweet Corn

PI: Dan Pavuk (Integrated Regional Vegetable Extension Educator, OSU), Mark Koenig (Agricultural and Natural Resources Extension Educator, OSU), Matt Hofelich (Farm Manager, North Central Agricultural Research Station, OSU). Farmers: Tom Creque (Creque Farms, Sylvania, OH), David Bench (Bench Farms, Curtice, OH), Don Bench (Benchmore Farms, Elmore, OH)

Evaluating the Potential of Strawberry Runner Tip Production in Ohio

PI: Brad Bergefurd (OSU South Centers), Farmer: Jon Branstrator (Branstrator Farms, Clarksville, OH) 

Developing Targeted Risk Communication Efforts for the Management of Food borne Disease Among Minority and Small to Midsize Vegetable Producers

PI: Robyn Wilson (School of Environment and Natural Resources, OSU), Farmers: Collaborating Multiple farms