I’m going to start off this week with my silver lining, which is agriculture and farmers. This week we are celebrating National Farmers Market Week.
This time of year there is all kind of gardening activity, especially finding lots of fruits and vegetables ripening in our gardens and for us to enjoy in a number of meals and desserts.
The annual celebration was started by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to highlight the role farmers markets play in the food system, which includes stimulating local economies, increasing access to fresh nutritious food, improving community and promoting sustainability. There is nothing better than produce right out of the field or meat locally grown.
Whether it is a celebration or not, I suggest you all get out and visit the Clinton County Farmers Market which is now located downtown Wilmington at the Mulberry Street location between Main and Locust streets (watch for the signs).
Right now there should be all kinds of food items such as: Cuts of lamb, pork, chicken, and beef; fresh seasonal vegetables — greens, zucchini, summer squash, tomatoes, fresh garlic, sweet corn, green beans, onions, and more; fresh flowers bouquets; honey; roasted coffee beans; a variety of home baked breads and baked goods; locally made pottery and art; and alpaca fiber items.
Vendors accept cash payments. Stop in at the Market booth to purchase credit/debit tokens and to use your SNAP benefits.
Support local business along with local agriculture and get to the Clinton County Farmers Market this summer! The Summer Market is held every Saturday morning from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
If you are interested in starting a fall garden, you might want to check out this blog post with additional links and a table of fall producing fruits and vegetables: https://u.osu.edu/powers-barker.1/2019/07/24/planting-a-fall-vegetable-garden/ .
Container recycling
Finally, if you recall my column last week, I mentioned the upcoming Ohio Department of Agriculture “Clean Sweep” pesticide disposal program.
This week I want to inform you of the upcoming Pesticide Container Recycling Event 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14. There will be an opportunity for you to recycle empty pesticide containers thanks to Nutrien Ag Solutions (Melvin Location), G. Phillips and Sons, and the Ohio State University Extension.
What can be recycled? Any plastic agriculture pesticide container, which includes jugs, drums up to 55 gallons and mini bulks. It is asked that mini bulks be removed from the metal carrying case and cut into two feet by two feet strips.
What are the requirements at the drop-off location? All containers need to be triple rinsed, remove the caps from the jugs and of barrels, remove the loose paper labels, containers must be dry and mini bulks cut into 2 feet by 2 feet sections with no lid, valve or screws. These requirements are strictly enforced at the drop-off location.
How do I get my containers to the site? An easy way to handle several of the gallon to two and half gallon jugs is to run a piece of twine or rope through the handles and tie them together. A livestock trailer or enclosed trailer is also a great way to get them to the recycling site.
The recycling location will be at the Nutrien Ag Solutions, Melvin location at 6704 E. US 22/SR 3, Wilmington.
There is no pre-registration required and the drop-off is free of charge. The requirements previously listed will be strictly enforced by the personnel at the location.
For additional information or questions you can contact Tony Nye at the Clinton County Extension office at 937-382-0901, 740-606-0031 or by email at [email protected].
Tony Nye is the state coordinator for the Ohio State University Extension Small Farm Program and has been an OSU Extension Educator for agriculture and natural resources for over 30 years, currently serving Clinton County and the Miami Valley EERA.
