COLUMBUS — For the seventh consecutive year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service will offer an opportunity for agricultural producers in three Ohio watersheds to apply for assistance to install conservation practices that protect water quality through the National Water Quality Initiative.

REYNOLDSBURG — Areas across Ohio are slated to receive gypsy moth aerial treatments by the Ohio Department of Agriculture in early spring to slow the spread of the destructive insect. Department staff members will host several open houses in treatment areas that will offer attendees the opportunity to speak directly with those who work with the program, learn about the pest and view maps of treatment areas.

MARYSVILLE — The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association awarded Kyle Nickles, of Sycamore, the Young Cattleman of the Year Award at the OCA awards banquet held Saturday at the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center in Lewis Center.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency temporarily will suspend accepting most new offers until later in the 2018 fiscal year. The FSA temporarily is suspending acceptance of most offers going forward to provide time to review CRP allocation levels and to avoid exceeding the statutory cap of 24 million acres.

FOSTORIA — Planning for the next farming generation involves many challenges as well as emotional issues. To help, AgCredit is hosting four succession planning seminars across northwest and north central Ohio.

BUCYRUS — The Crawford Soil and Water Conservation District is hosting a workshop series that will highlight a few unique operations around our county in the conservation and agriculture fields. Guests may take part in one or all of the workshops.

BUCYRUS — The Crawford Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors reorganized for 2018. Nathan Brause is the chairperson, Paul E. Hartschuh is the vice chairperson, Adam Spiegel is the secretary, Zach Stuckey is the treasurer, and Larry Leonhardt is the fiscal agent.

Brad Weaver (right) took the oath of office for his first term on the Wyandot Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors. Wyandot County Commissioner Bill Clinger administered the oath.

Wyandot County Commissioner Bill Clinger (right) administered the oath of office for Brian Frisch to begin his second term on the Wyandot SWCD Board of Supervisors. Frisch will serve as vice-chairman for 2018.

This is an opportune time to take another look at your farming operation and determine if there are areas that could benefit from the establishment of one or more conservation practices. For instance, do you have a ditch or stream running through your farm that needs a filter strip?