There were a record 642 exhibitors at this year’s Ohio Farm Science Review Sept. 19-21. Those exhibitors inside buildings got a little extra foot traffic on opening day as the attendees sought shelter from the rain. It started with a few drops around 11 a.m., but turned into a torrential downpour most of the afternoon, creating challenges for attendees to exit the muddy parking lots.

Rain spared the rest of the event, but 90-degree heat moved in for the remainder. Despite the weather challenges, attendees were out in force to learn about the latest innovations in agriculture and tote home a bag of freebies from FSR, which is hosted at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center near London, Ohio.

 “The attendees who visited us, despite the rain and muddy parking lots, were still able to find ways to make their farming operations more efficient,” says Nick Zachrich, manager of the Review. “Exhibitors had new equipment, small and large, for all sizes of farmers. Those with just a few acres or a few thousand acres could find something to improve their businesses.”

Because of the rain, field demonstrations were suspended Sept. 19-20, but commenced on the final day.

The event attracted a total of 113,836 visitors over three days. The largest turnout at the Review was on the second day, Sept. 20, when 50,880 visitors arrived. The first day drew 37,812 visitors, and the final day of the farm show attracted 25,144 people.

Next year’s Review will be Sept. 18-20.

Attendees talk
Ohio Farmer welcomed FSR attendees into the Ohio Farmer building and provided free magazines, directions at times, conversation and raffle tickets. Even during a tough economic period for the ag industry, attendees shared “some good news” with Ohio Farmer:

Dennis and Judy Werling of Wapakoneta are farming about 400 acres of corn, wheat and soybeans. “We’re always optimistic that the next year will better — never give up and don’t overextend,” he says.

Rodney and Frances Ullom of Shreve farm about 400 acres of hay, corn, soybeans, wheat, oats and pumpkins, and are raising 125 head of beef cattle. “We’re excited about our son, Jason, 29, who is becoming more and more part of the business and has been growing,” Rodney says. “We’re excited about the next generation. And our great-niece Cheyene, 3, also enjoys the farm. She might be a future generation on the farm.”

Ed and Sarah Schlegel of Canfield have a small dairy farm and raise about 80 acres of corn, soybeans and hay. “It’s been way worse, and it’s been better,” he says. “But as long as we maintain a happy medium and maintain the farm, life is good. We’re happy to be alive and well.”

Lloyd King of Hartville farms about 500 acres of corn, soybeans, hay and wheat. “My wife, Mary, and I are coming up on 41 years of marriage on Nov. 25. She works as hard or harder than I do. Sometimes I wish she wouldn’t work so hard. Twenty-seven years ago she started a pumpkin business called Kings Way Pumpkin Farms. Today, it’s our most profitable crop. We have 40 acres of pumpkins. We have field trips with kids booked full through the season. On a busy Saturday or Sunday we’ll have 3,000 people.”

Butch and Barb Berger have a grain farm near Curtice and also have a home orchard. “We had a lot of water damage, and we’ll be lucky to get a 30-bushel soybean yield, but when you look at these people with all the hurricanes and everything, it makes us feel lucky,” says Butch. And, adds Barb, the wet weather seemed to help their fruit production. “We’ve had peaches two years in a row,” she says.

Chuck Harley and his neighbor Don Wilson have a tradition of attending the Farm Science Review together. Chuck operates a grain and hay farm in Jackson County and Don is a retired farmer. “This year the single most impressive thing was that we installed drainage tile, and it has greatly improved the yields,” says Chuck. He’s expecting it to pay for itself in two to three years. And, he adds, both he and Don became great-grandfathers this year.

Matt Fagan and his wife, Jamie, farm near Cambridge City, Ind., raising corn, soybeans and wheat. They also have a dairy herd share operation and raise beef cattle and custom bale hay. “We’re in east-central Indiana, and our crops will be pretty good,” says Matt. He expects yields to be at five-year averages. Another bright spot for the Fagans is their family, including youngest son, Caleb. “We have six kids, so we have good help,” Matt adds. Jamie home-schools the children, and they have their own sheep, chickens and hogs.

Atlee Coblentz and his wife, Cindy, farm in the Akron-Canton area with crops on 1,400 acres and a 130-cow dairy. “I can’t complain; God’s always blessed us,” he says. In addition to the family members pictured, their daughter Vivian came to the Farm Science Review as well, but was researching college information at the Ohio State building when the photo was taken.

Daniel Davis and his son, Jack, are new to farming. Jack’s interest in agriculture led the family to start their 30-acre farm near Stoutsville, where they are raising garlic, as well as livestock for family consumption. They are looking into raising cut flowers and hops. Jack is especially excited about getting some pigs to raise for 4-H. His dad is glad to see growing interest from consumers in where their food comes from. “There’s more interest in the idea of eating good, real food,” he says. He’s also grateful for the resources and help he’s found while starting the family farm. Even though they are newcomers to agriculture, more experienced members of the ag community have been willing to help. “I appreciate the friendliness of people when I have dumb questions,” he says