Madison Messenger - March 21st, 2021

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PAGE 10 - MADISON MESSENGER - March 21, 2021 www.madisonmessengernews.com MADISON COUNTY FARM PAGES Watch out for farm equipment on roadway By Wayne Dellinger Union County Extension Educator Spring planting season will soon be under way across the state of Ohio. After challenging planting seasons in recent years, farmers will be taking advantage of every window of opportunity to get seeds in the ground. The combination of spring planting equipment on the road and increased motor vehicle traffic with more people transitioning from telecommuting back to work from COVID-19 means an increased risk of incidents on local roadways. In the period from 2009 to 2018, more than half of the farm fatalities in Ohio were related to tractor use, according to the OSU Extension Ag Safety & Health, Farm Fatality and Injury Database for Ohio. Of these tractor-related fatalities, about 14 percent were the result of roadway collisions. In 2020 alone, the total number of incidents between farm units (farm equipment and farm trucks) and motor vehicles in Ohio was 380, according to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Ohio Traffic Crash Facts. Of these 380 incidents, three resulted in fatalities and 99 resulted in injuries. This total was down significantly from 2019 when there were 462 crashes. The decrease can be attributed to the pandemic, as fewer motor vehicles were on the road in 2020 due to temporary businesses shutdowns and more people working from home. Distracted driving is an ongoing concern on local roadways. It is important to remember closure time when coming up behind slow-moving vehicles. In less than seven seconds, a motor vehicle traveling 55 mph will close 400 feet behind a tractor traveling 15 mph. Being aware and anticipating farm equipment actions on the roadway will help decrease the risk of collisions. When ap- proaching from the rear, watch for signals from the operator, whether it be a yellow turn signal or hand signal. With larger equipment, often it is difficult for the operator to see traffic coming from behind. Watch for upcoming field drives where the operator may turn before attempting to pass. If you are preparing to meet a piece of equipment, watch for guardrails, mailboxes and road signs that may prevent the operator from getting over far enough to meet safely. Farm equipment operators can ity and keep the operator in communication of upcoming hazards or do their part by ensuring their situations while moving from farm to farm. Finally, when possible, attempt to move equipment at off-peak motor vehicle travel times. safety lighting and marking equipment are clean and functional. For the past year, taking drives in the country has been one of the Using escort vehicles in both the few enjoyable and acceptable activities we’ve been able to do. We need front and rear may increase visibil- to enjoy the view, watch out for farm equipment, and stay safe. Farm Bureau offers scholarships SPINNING INSURANCE AGENCY LONDON Marty Spinning Agent 11 25 SO. W. UNION FIFTH STREET, ST., LONDON, OH OH 43140 43140 740-852-0642 • 1-800-846-6975 Farm Insurance and Commercial Insurance NATIONWIDE ® Insurance & Financial Services Nationwide Is On Your Side® The Madison County Farm Bureau is offering scholarship awards to Madison County Farm Bureau members’ children. Preference is given to applicants majoring in agriculture. The scholarship is for the purpose of continuing higher education at a two- or four-year college, university or technical school. Applications will be accepted from students meeting the following qualifications: • must be a high school senior or graduate (freshman status in college) of a Madison County high school; • must be enrolled as a full-time student in a four-year college/university program, or in a two-year technical program for the fall quarter/semester of 2021; and • parents/guardian or applicant must be a Madison County Farm Bureau member. Scholarship awards must be used towards the student’s tuition and fees and will be processed through the scholarship office of the chosen school. The dollar amount will be at the scholarship committee’s discretion, not to exceed the budgeted amount. Criteria considered in awarding scholarships include a student’s academics, community activities, grade transcripts, and three letter of references Completed applications are due to the scholarship committee by March 31, 2021. They can be mailed to: Madison County Farm Bureau, P.O. Box 368, Hilliard, OH 43026. Or e-mailed as a PDF to: madison@ofbf.org. The Farm Bureau office will notify all applicants of the winners. Visit https://ofbf.org/2021/01/04/2021-madison-county-farm-bureau-scholarship/ for an application. Celebrating 70 67 65 68 66 Years Serving Madison Co. Life insurance underwritten by Nationwide Life Insurance Company. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies. Home Office: Columbus, OH 43215-2220
www.madisonmessengernews.com March 21, 2021 - MADISON MESSENGER - Page 11 USDA extends CSP deadline to end of March The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on March 12 that it is accepting Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) renewal applications through March 31 for more than 11,000 contracts set to end this year. CSP is USDA’s largest working lands conservation program with more than 90 million acres enrolled. “In fiscal year 2020, NRCS helped enhance 9.3 million acres of land enrolled in CSP,” said Terry Cosby, acting chief for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). “CSP continues to prove its worth by helping farmers and ranchers advance their business operations through conservation enhancements on their land that sustain the natural resources that improve productivity and their bottom lines.” Participants with existing CSP contracts that close on Dec. 31, 2021, can benefit from recent program changes by renewing their contracts for an additional five years if they agree to adopt additional conservation practices on their land. Applications to renew expiring contracts are due by March 31. About the Program CSP is for working lands, including cropland, pastureland, rangeland, non-industrial forestland and tribal lands. The program helps producers build on existing conservation efforts while strengthening their operations. CSP provides many benefits, including increased crop yields, decreased inputs, wildlife habitat improvements and resiliency to weather extremes. It also encourages the adoption of new technologies and innovative management techniques. Through CSP, agricultural producers and forest landowners earn payments for actively managing, maintaining and expanding conservation activities like cover crops, buffer strips, pollinator and beneficial insect habitat, and soil health activities while maintaining active agricultural production on their land. Changes in the 2018 Farm Bill authorize NRCS to accept new CSP enrollments through 2023 and make additional improvements to the program, including higher payment rates for specific conservation activities on working lands. More Information Producers interested in contract renewals or applying for CSP for the first time should visit the CSP webpage or contact their local USDA service center. While USDA offices are currently closed to visitors because of the pandemic, Service Center staff continue to work with agricultural producers via phone, email, and other digital tools. To conduct business, contact your local USDA Service Center. Additionally, more information related to USDA’s response and relief for producers can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus. Madison County’s USDA Service Center can be reached at (740) 852-4003. Madison-Plains’ 2020-21 FFA officer team This year’s Madison-Plains High School FFA officer team includes: (front row, from left) Luke Furbee, student advisor; Allison Dudgeon, historian; Alyson Petee, president; Morgan Rowe, vice president; Chrysten Kell, reporter; (back row) Caden Alkire, secretary; Crystal Weimer, sentinel; Kinsey Null, assistant secretary; Brooke Edwards, assistant reporter; Laura Sampson, assistant treasurer; and Lucas Stephenson, treasurer. Car - Home - Life - Boat - Farm Business - Motorcycle - Bonds An independent agency representing
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Madison Messenger - March 21st, 2021

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