WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency Administrator Val Dolcini recently announced that $1.5 million will be available in fiscal year 2017 for farmers and foresters who harvest and deliver biomass for renewable energy.

Producers on farms with base acres under the safety net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill, known as the Agriculture Risk Coverage or Price Loss Coverage programs, began visiting the Wyandot County FSA offices Nov. 1 to sign contracts and enroll for the 2017 crop year.

MOUNT BLANCHARD — The Riverdale FFA Chapter recently competed in the county and sub-district job interview contest, which requires students to complete a cover letter and resume to take to the contest with them. Students then complete an application.

MOUNT BLANCHARD — The Riverdale FFA chapter recently hosted its annual Harvest Day. Two rotations took place, with one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Second and third graders attended in the morning, and kindergarteners and first graders in the afternoon.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Upper Sandusky, Carey, Mohawk and Riverdale FFA chapters recently attended the 89th National FFA Convention. The 12 Upper Sandusky High School students who attended the National Convention were Jacob Newsome, Monte Boes, Nick Stuckey, Weston Foust, Alec Ogg, Noah Cheney, Elijah Verdugo, Cali Andres, Grace Sayre, Hannah Ziegler, Rylee Goodman and Niki Young.

The Wyandot County Farm Service Agency is reminding producers who are interested in the 2017 Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program of the need to apply for coverage by the following crop deadline dates. The deadline for 2017 NAP coverage is Nov. 20 for apples, asparagus, blueberries, caneberries, cherries, chestnuts, forage for hay and pasture, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, strawberries, honey, maple sap and hops.

COLUMBUS — Deer hunting is a popular activity for sportsmen statewide, and Ohio’s white-tailed deer continue to provide hunters across the state with opportunities for success as they head out into the field. Ohio’s deer-gun season opens Nov. 28. Hunting remains the most effective management tool for maintaining Ohio’s healthy deer population, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

WORTHINGTON — The Ohio Soybean Council Foundation recently announced scholarship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students for the 2017-18 academic year. The scholarship program encourages undergraduate and graduate students at Ohio colleges and universities to pursue degrees in one of the many academic fields that support the future of the soybean industry, including agriculture, business, communications, economics, education, engineering, science and technology.

Senior yearling bull, Sept. 1-Dec. 31: Linda Swihart, SLS Family Shorthorns, first place.

California, standard: Howard Bair, Shelby, best of breed and best opposite.