LONDON, Ohio -- Ohio State University and Purdue University are once again joining forces at Farm Science Review to provide farmers with the latest in agricultural production and management research, technology, exhibits, field demonstrations and equipment.
The 44th annual Farm Science Review, to be held Sept. 19-21 at Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio, marks the second year of collaborations between the two universities.
"The first year of collaborations was a very good year in terms of seeing where Purdue could partner with Farm Science Review, where they could add programs and where we could utilize their expertise," said Matt Sullivan, Farm Science Review assistant manager. "It's going to be bigger this year. It's going to be better and we are looking forward to Purdue coming over with a stronger presence."
Sullivan said that the Farm Science Review relationship between Ohio State and Purdue universities was developed for a number of reasons. One is the ability to tap into research and Extension areas that one university may not offer.
"For example, a specialty area at Purdue is grain systems. Ohio State doesn't have grain system specialists. So we can share projects on research that one university may have and another doesn't," said Sullivan.
Additionally, the collaboration gives the institutions the opportunity to share equally strong program areas, such as field crop production.
Purdue's presence also attracts Indiana and eastern Illinois farmers to another national farm show beyond the annual Farm Progress Show, which alternates between Iowa and Illinois.
"Farm Science Review just gives farmers another opportunity to attend a farm show that may be only two to three hours away for many interested in attending," said Sullivan.
The following is just some of the Purdue University researchers and Extension specialists who will be bringing their expertise to Farm Science Review:
• Jerry Nelson, New Ventures Extension educator, who will share information on the Purdue New Ventures Team and INVenture in the Small Farms Center. The Purdue New Ventures Team is a collaborative effort of Purdue Extension educators and campus specialists to help citizens of Indiana interested in starting a food or agriculture-related business. INVenture is a Web-based planning tool designed to guide users through the business-planning process.
• Dirk Meier, Purdue Extension agricultural engineer, who will present grain storage and grain systems seminars in the field demonstration areas.
• Bill Hoover, a Purdue forestry professor, who will be providing expertise at the Gwynn Conservation Area on the financial returns between row crops and timber production and discussing whether timber might be more profitable.
• Brian MacGowan, a Purdue Extension specialist, who will discuss turning parts of one's property into a habitat for wildlife at the Gwynn Conservation Area.
Log on to http://fsr.osu.edu for more details of schedules and events.
Farm Science Review is Ohio's premiere agricultural event, attracting upwards of 140,000 visitors and over 600 exhibitors from around the country each year.
Farm Science Review is sponsored by Ohio State University Extension, the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, and the academic units of the university's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. Tickets are $8 at the gate or $5 in advance when purchased from county offices of OSU Extension or participating agribusinesses. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept 19-20 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 21.