Intel has unveiled an ambitious $28 billion investment plan in New Albany, a Columbus suburb, to construct two new leading-edge chip factories. To support this initiative, federal, state, and local governments have committed to substantial investments in infrastructure and significant industrial incentives. For instance, the Ohio Department of Transportation has announced a $99 million investment to improve transportation in the area surrounding Intel’s future campus (Ohio Governor's Office, 2023).
Have you ever thought about habits? When we hear the word, we often think first of "bad" habits, like cracking our knuckles or biting our nails, which are easily recognizable and relatively minor in terms of their impact on others. Habits, however, encompass many other behaviors, some more conscious than others. They often impact our ability to function in the workplace as either a manager or as an employee. An old adage says, "We are what we repeatedly do.
In Ohio, soft red winter wheat is the predominantly produced small grain, with 530,000 acres planted in fall 2024 (USDA-NASS, 2024). Soft red winter wheat is commonly used for sponge cakes, cookies, crackers, and other confectionary products (U.S. Wheat Associates, 2023). Although soft red winter wheat is commonly produced by farmers in Ohio, interest in other classes of wheat or other small grains is due to local demand and niche markets (Table 1).
Fruits can be canned using the boiling water bath method because they contain high enough acid levels to prevent the growth of Clostridium botulinum spores and the production of botulism toxin. Additionally, when properly canned fruits are heated long enough at high enough temperatures, spoilage causing microorganisms are destroyed.
Gypsum is a source of calcium (Ca) and sulfur (S) for crop nutrition. Calcium is also used for soil balancing of base cations and as a soil amendment to improve soil tilth and health (Chen and Dick, 2011). However, the application rates and frequencies sufficient to obtain soil and crop benefits from gypsum are often unknown. This article discusses the response of soils and crops in Ohio based on recent published studies.
One of the ways plant pathogens are introduced into a crop is on seeds. Bacterial pathogens are particularly notorious for this means of dissemination. In general, the earlier a pathogen encounters the crop, the greater the potential for a serious disease problem to develop. This is why it is very important to start with "clean" seed. Properly used, hot water treatment kills most plant disease-causing bacteria both on and within seeds.
Plants in the pigweed or Amaranthus family are found across Ohio and can be difficult to differentiate from one another. Correct identification of these species is critical, as they present varying degrees of management and economic concern. Below are pictures and key identifiers for five of the most common and troublesome pigweed species in Ohio:
The number of farmers markets in the United States has increased by almost 7,000; from 1,755 in 1994 to 8,771 in 2017 (USDA ERS, 2022). And while this growth in the number of markets has increased access to fresh, locally produced foods for many, those individuals and families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (formerly known as the Federal Food Stamp program) do not have the ability to spend those benefits at all farmers markets in Ohio.
Consumer demand for organic products has grown steadily over the past several decades, with U.S. sales of organic food more than doubling from 2008 to 2019 (Figure 1). Meeting this demand through organic certification allows farmers to add value to their products while using sustainable production methods. However, organic certification is the most highly regulated food production program in the United States.
Pasteurization is the process of heating milk to a specific temperature for a defined amount of time to kill (inactivate) organisms in milk that may cause spoilage or disease if consumed. This process has been used for over 100 years to keep consumers of commercial milk safe by following the standards of the Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance.
