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What would you think if the Ohio State University President stopped by your house or farm? It might make a big splash! That’s exactly what happened for Terry and Lisa McClure! On Wednesday, June 20 Dr. Drake’s first Tour of Ohio this year made it’s third stop of the day in Paulding County. The McClure farm near Grover Hill was the site at which him and his entourage visited the area.
“Dr. Drake travels with students, and on the Roads Scholars Tour there are also approximately 50 faculty and staff,” said Ben Johnson. “The tours give all participants, those traveling from Columbus and those at each stop, a chance to learn more about how Ohio State partners with businesses and communities around the state.” —Ohio State Spokesman.
Lisa McClure, President Michael Drake, Terry McClure
Dr. Drake and his entourage arrived at around 1:45 pm with gathered officials, politicians and local people. In the first place he stopped President Michael said he was at Wilson Sporting Goods factory in Ada where he threaded his own football. He said he didn’t realize they are made and threaded by hand!
The reason for the event in Paulding County was to show the connection OSU and the extensions have to their farming communities.
Water quality is currently a top priority of Ohio State University. McClure Farms has been at the forefront of Paulding County farming technology for the last several years. Multiple speakers from the Soybean Council and OSU were all on hand to speak about the importance of using the water in the best possible way without losing important nutrients. Libby Dayton said they have analyzed over 50,000 run off samples to see where the problem lies for nitrogen and phosphorous transferring from the ground into the Lake Erie Watershed.
Through all of this new techniques have been developed in order to minimize runoff such as certifications, and analyzing all ground instead of just giving a generic answer such as “no till”.
Millions of dollars are being spent to better help the farms through the OSU Extension offices in county. Between continuing education and excellent research, water quality has vastly improved in the last 20 years in creeks, rivers and lakes.
Site specific data has changed farming in recent years according to Barbar Barker of the USDA. Computer and tablet advancement has enabled the farm to be one of the most tech savvy industries that not only help with pollution, but at the same time increases yields.
Dr. Michael Drake said he sees, “farmers work hard from dawn to dusk.” The involvement of the land grant university is extremely important and the innovating science behind it is what keeps driving the partnership forward. “We remember and are thankful each time we sit down for our meals.” Drake continued, “I love coming to real farms. I see OSU graduates and supporters.” He thanked Terry and Lisa McClure for them allowing their farm to be used an example of the importance of water quality improvements. He also thanked the organizations that recognized the importance of the University in their farms and everyday lives.
McClure farms doesn’t just analyze the data they act on it. Currently the farm uses the water that comes from Van Wert waste in the creeks (5 million gallons per day) to water it’s fields. Right now it is an experiment but it appears to be successful over the last several years.
The tour Dr. Drake takes of the state truly emphasizes the natural assets the state has available to benefit the entire country and the international community.
