Enhancing Agriculture and the Environment

Ohio’s diverse agricultural, horticultural and forestry industries contribute more than $100 billion to the state’s economy every year. OSU Extension agriculture and natural resources (ANR) programs assist with technology, marketing and educational support – protecting Ohio’s position in the global marketplace.

OSU Extension also works to help local residents and community leaders enhance and sustain the environment and natural areas throughout the state, balancing economic advancement with environmental sustainability.

Our ANR professionals help producers develop and expand profitable, sustainable farming and other agricultural businesses – thereby creating jobs and economic opportunity for Ohio’s citizens. They also provide leadership, collaboration, consulting, unbiased information, applied research, and access to land-grant university knowledge to address local issues and needs.

Washington County ANR

Marcus McCartney, Extension Educator, ANR
Peggy Bolen, Extension Office Associate

The Extension Educators for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Southeast Ohio have come together in order to pool some of their combined knowledge. They have started the Buckeye Hills Agriculture and Natural Resources blog. Each educator will be posting insights and helpful hints on some of the common problems that they are seeing around the area. Most of these are quick stories that will make for an easy read with just the information you need so you can stop, read it and then get out there growing. There is also a comment box with each post so you can add in your two cents worth and maybe help some of the other folks in the area. If you subscribe, you will get a notice anytime a new article is available.
Buckeye Hills ANR Blog.

Washington County is located in the southeastern corner of Ohio. There are 856 farms in the County averaging 145 acres each. Our highest ranking commodity is crops, which is mostly fruit and vegetable operations, followed closely by milk. We rank 24th in the state for all cattle and calves.

Washington County had a population of 61,475 in 2012. Major employers of the citizens are Marietta Memorial Hospital and chemical and plastics industries. In 2011, the personal income per capita reached $33,785 which is below the state average of $37,836. The unglaciated county is approximately 50% forested and is diverse in animals, geologic formations and water resources. Citizens need informed and educated about natural resource issues as well as the responsible use of them.

You can learn more about all OSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources programs at http://agnr.osu.edu.

Extension has been helping all Ohioans build better lives, better businesses and better communities since 1914.