Projects

Aquaculture
While some agribusinesses see winter time as a slight break until spring arrives, the aquaculture program diligently prepares for spring during this time. The most noticeable addition to the BGAC is the 200 sq. ft. baitfish lab. This lab performs bait fish feed studies. Studies include "Developing First Feeding Protocols for Spotfin Shiners and Golden Shiners", "Comparison of Survival Rates Between Wild Caught Spotfin Shiner Eggs and Captive Brood Stock Eggs" as well as "Growth Rates To Market Size of Spotfin and Golden Shiners In Recirculating Systems".

The Bowling Green site is also creating pond rearing protocols for baitfish. Four producers have been identified who are interested in collaboratively producing baitfish in the next growing season. This is shaping up to be a very exciting project due to the potential of "double crop" through the ponds, pulling two harvests next year.

Recirculating aquaculture continues to be a strong area of focus. Preliminary numbers are showing that we should be able to produce approximately 60,000 lbs. per year in a 3,000 sq. ft. space!

Anyone interested in theses projects or any other questions that you may have, please feel free to contact Shawn McWhorter.

Sustainable Agriculture Research Plot
Ohio State University's John E. Hirzel Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Site is a partnership involving the OSU Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), OSU Extension and AIF. The purpose of the site is to promote vital agricultural systems in northwest Ohio which are economically, ecologically and socially sustainable on a long term basis. This is accomplished through research projects, demonstration plots and educational programs. The 28.8 acre site consists of a replicated farming systems experiment that demonstrates different options in sustainable crop production. The systems include organic, reduced chemical input and high chemical input no till. OARDC would also like to create opportunities for young agricultural entrepreneurs from the region to experiment with and demonstrate creative sustainable agriculture ideas.

The plot is designed to gain a better understanding of what occurs with crop production and soil changes when farmers transition from one management system to another. The treatments chosen for this experiment represent a range of conditions experienced by farmers transitioning either to organic or other more diversified crop management systems. Overall, the experiment is addressing ways to maintain production and economic viability while building soil quality.

The Ohio Center for Aquaculture Development
A collaborative applied research program by The Ohio State University Extension focused on the needs of the Ohio aquaculture industry. The research will analyze the effect of baitfish and fresh water prawn vpolyculture on production efficiency when raised in the same pond. Additionally, various recirculating aquaculture systems will be used for the production of yellow perch and market size large mouth bass. The intent of the research is to evaluate the processes. The results will then be used to educate and train producers interested in converting agricultural buildings to fish farms.

Entrepreneurial Business Development
Naturally Native Nursery is a business that specializes in growing and marketing plants native to northwest Ohio. They contract with various park districts and environmental and conservation groups to supply plants and grasses for buffer zones, wetlands and park restoration programs.

Penta Career Center
Penta Career Center, established in 1965, is an area Career-Technical and Adult Education Career Center servicing 16 rural and suburban school districts in five counties in northwest Ohio. Penta Career Center offers educational programs that create links within the community by training individuals for the workforce or by retraining current workers for advancement to jobs more suited to their skills. Penta Career Center offers a variety of environmental and agricultural programming including greenhouse production, floral design, landscape and turf management and small animal care.

The Agricultural Incubator Foundation partners with Penta Career Center and some of its member school districts to offer Town and Country Safety programs and a four day Conservation Camp. For more information go to Penta Career Center’s web site:
www.pentacareercenter.org