Farm Science Review: More than a big fair

Many of us enjoyed the Hancock County Fair a few weeks ago. However, next week, there will be an even bigger agriculture event — Hancock County. The Ohio State University's Farm Science Review. The Farm Science Review is one of the largest annual farm shows east of the Mississippi River. The show is near London, OH on 2100 acres at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center. This three-day event is the premier educational show sponsored by The Ohio State University's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. Agriculture enthusiasts have been attending this show for 63 years. Dates for this year's Review are Sept. 16, 17, and 18. Over 100,000 visitors attend each year to learn about and observe the latest agricultural research and new technology, and to visit over 600 commercial exhibitors. The show is known for its actual field demonstrations of the most technologically advanced equipment and examples of successful farming practices. The show site is divided into three major areas: Field Demonstrations, OSU Central, and the Gwynne Conservation Area. A large part of the land is in field demonstrations — Hancock County. showing the latest equipment and technology for planting and harvesting, global positioning, manure utilization, and tillage and conservation practices. Field demonstrations follow this year's theme: Transforming Tradition. Farmers appreciate traditional practices, but they are innovated, and continue to adopt new technology to stay competitive and profitable. Visitors can see this new technology first-hand on 400 acres of field demonstrations. Highlights this year include daily operations of a fully autonomous tractor in the tillage demo area and in another area, the use of AI powered sprayers. The Molly Caren Ag Center has seen a 60%-70% reduction in herbicide use with AI-powered sprayers on corn and soybean fields, while maintaining the same weed control as traditional broadcast methods. OSU Central is the main street through the center of the show. OSU Central is the area where information and presentations are given by Ohio State University's colleges and departments. Programs are given in the McCormick, Bailey, and Firebaugh buildings, and the Utzinger Garden. Major topics, such as Farm Succession Planning and Weather Resilience, and other Farm Management programs will be given to assist farmers with their financial and environmental decisions. The Utzinger Garden will have programming on yards and gardens. Side streets branch off Central to exhibitor tents and other information stations. Overall, the Central area offers access to more than 4,000 product lines and over 180 educational sessions led by Ohio State University Research and Extension experts. One of the popular exhibits that is on one of the side streets is the Antique Farm Equipment building. The building has more than 1,600 pieces of farm machinery, garden equipment and kitchen utensils from between 1800 and 1930. Special attractions are the 1805 wooden moldboard plow, antique garden tractors and an 1860 Milwaukee reaper. Look for the newest pieces including a horse-drawn milk wagon and a 1923 Model T milk truck. The Gwynne Conservation Area has nearly 70-acres of demonstration sites and trails — Hancock County. including a cabin for presentations, woodlands, aquatic habitat, pastures, and wildlife sites. Over 50 talks, tours, and demonstrations will be given in Gwynne including paw paw production, spotted lantern fly invasion, woodland management, tree and aquatic plant identification, and consumer horticulture. A shuttle runs from OSU Central to Gwynne. The hours of the Farm Science Review are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 16 and 17, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18. Complete details about all the events, exhibitors, field demonstrations and educational sessions can be found on the Farm Science Review's website: http://fsr.osu. Unfortunately, the show no longer provides tickets for purchase at the Hancock County Extension office. Tickets may be purchased prior to the show online for $10; tickets purchased at the gate will be $15.00. Children aged 5 and younger are admitted free. Online tickets may be purchased at https://www.showclix.com/tickets/2025-FSR. Ed Lentz is agriculture and natural resources educator with Ohio State Extension Office — Hancock County.