About OSU Extension - Putnam County

The Ohio State University Extension is an integral part of the Ohio State University and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It connects the resources and research of the land grant university with the high priority needs and concerns of Ohio's rural and urban citizens, groups, and communities.

The Ohio State University Extension remains a unique achievement in adults and youth voluntary education, because it continues to function as a partnership of the local people, their county, state, and federal governments, and their land grant university. County agents, district specialists, and state specialists, supported by clerical and administrative staff, provide a dynamic educational link with all these systems.

The Ohio State University Extension provides an unbiased source of technical and practical information based on scientific research to county residents. Advisory committees help Extension Agents plan programs that meet local needs and interests.

The Ohio State University Extension entails voluntary leadership in the planning and conducting of its programs in Agriculture, Community and Natural Resource development, Family & Consumer Sciences, and 4-H Youth Development. New research findings and technical information are disseminated through timely teaching, group meetings, practical demonstrations, printed media, and computer and audiovisual technologies.

4-H Youth Development

Members can select form over 200 projects, attend 4-H camp, and be involved in various contests, activities, fairs, and awards programs.

Volunteer advisor's are always in need to maintain or start clubs. Success of the 4-H program is attributed to volunteers. Volunteer roles may include; club advisor's, key leaders, special emphasis volunteers and committee members.

4-H is an educational program for youth who are nine years of age or in the third grade and have not passed their 19th birthday by January. The Cloverbud program is available for youth who are five and in kindergarten up to age eight. The purpose of 4-H is to provide learning experiences and opportunities for youth that will help them grown and develop to their fullest potential.

Members can select form over 200 projects, attend 4-H camp, and be involved in various contests, activities, fairs, and awards programs.

Agriculture & Natural Resources

The mission of the Agriculture Agent of the Ohio State University Extension is to improve the productivity and efficiency in the number one industry of Ohio agriculture. Many field days, test plots, and educational meetings are held regularly to help farmers maintain production and keep up to date. Pesticide applicator training, which is required by all farmers applying pesticides, is taught here.

In today agri-business environment, marketing is often the key to success or failure. Work with the agricultural community on grain marketing, livestock production, and other marketing strategies continues to be of prime importance to the Extension Agriculture Agent.

The latest information on production technology is constantly needed and requested by the producers of Ohio. Their source of unbiased, research-based information continues to be their local Extension Agriculture Agent, who is no farther than a phone call away.

In addition, information is available to assist urban and suburban residents with questions regarding home horticulture, entomology, and other areas of homeowner interest.

Master Gardeners

The Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Program is a volunteer educational program designed to meet the horticultural needs of the citizens of Ohio. Its purpose is to train volunteers and utilize their expertise to teach people more about plants, their culture, their importance to the environment and to our quality of life. Master Gardener volunteers provide technical assistance to their county Extension office in order that consumer horticulture activities and programs can be more effectively and efficiently carried out.

Master Gardener trainees receive formal training from their county Extension office covering a wide range of pertinent horticultural topics. To become a Master Gardener, the trainee must complete the training program and volunteer a specified number of hours to Extension. Putnam County Master Gardeners have over 80 members. The members are involved in many county activities such as, the bi-annual Garden Tour, giving presentations, and manning the Master Gardener booth at the county fair.