Commissioners get OSU extension update

TIFFIN — The Seneca County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday for a rescheduled meeting as a result of the Seneca County Fair. Joining the board for the meeting was Pressley Buurma, agriculture and natural resources educator from the local Ohio State Extension Office. Buurma shared information about manure application, as well as some information about Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). "As outlined by the Ohio Division of Agriculture (ODA), the division of soil and water conservation has the authority rules regarding the application of manure at farming and animal feed operations," she said. She explained that ODA is one of the entities responsible for overseeing manure applications. "At the extension, our role is to educate people about the different application processes," she said. Additionally, Buurma noted that per Ohio Revised Code applicants must follow these laws and practices, and that soil testing can be completed to determine if any type of manure or fertilization needs to be applied to a plot of soil. "Seneca County resides in the Western Lake Erie Basin, which means manure application has additional restrictions," shared Buurma. Buurma said manure cannot be applied under the following conditions: • On snow-covered or frozen soil: • When the top 2 inches of the soil are saturated from precipitation; or • When the weather forecast in the application area calls for a less than 50% chance of rain exceeding one-half inch in a 24-hour period. Restrictions on the surface application of manure do not apply when: • Manure is injected into the ground; • Manure is incorporated within 24 hours of surface application; • Manure is applied onto a growing crop; • If there is an emergency, the director of agriculture can provide written consent. Buurma continued, explaining the three most common application methods are injection — where manure is directly injected into the ground (liquid manure), incorporation — where manure is spread on the surface and immediately mixed into the ground using some type of cultivation, and broadcasting, where manure is immediately spread on the surface. Additionally, Buurma briefly touched on HPAI at the meeting, explaining that it is a virus that naturally spreads in wild aquatic fowl. "Oftentimes, it is associated with Geese, but it can be poultry, eagles, any other bird out there," she said. The virus spreads quickly and can pose a threat to animal feed facilities should the proper biosecurity methods. "If there are no inside outside contacts in an animal feed facility, there should be no transportation of the virus," said Buurma. "A lot of poultry facilities will have employees shower in, shower out, not let anything in from the outside, etc." In other news Seneca County Collaborative President Bryce Riggs took the floor to introduce their newest staff member, Megan James. County Administrator Barb Patterson shared a number of updates, explaining a $20,000 supplemental appropriation regarded various unemployment expenses. Several pieces of new business were adopted, including the following: • A resolution declaring necessity for a levy of taxes in excess of the ten (10) mill limitation pursuant to Ohio Revised Code sections 3709.29 and 5705.25 – According to Patterson, this is a revised version of the resolution read at the previous meeting following some recommendations made by Ohio Secretary of State's Office. • A resolution authorizing collection of maintenance assessments on the Blanchard River Stream Enhancement Project (BRSEP) to be collected in 2026. • A resolution entering into an administration agreement for the Seneca County Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) with the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Services (DBA Seneca County Collaborative). • A resolution authorizing the memorandum of understanding for the Vanguard-Sentinel Career & Technology Centers School District school resource officer on behalf of the Seneca County Sheriff's Office. – According to Patterson, this is a resolution in regards to the on campus staff provided by the Seneca County Sheriff's Office. • A resolution amending the designation of the Emergency Planning Committee for Seneca County, Ohio. - According to Commissioner Tony Paradiso, the Local Emergency Planning Commission (LEPC) is made up of several members of the community from various career fields. New members were appointed to the state board, and a resolution must formally be adopted to welcome them in. • A resolution providing for the issuance and sale of bonds in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $897,980, for the purpose of paying the costs of constructing, furnishing, equipping and otherwise improving a new EMS station and clearing, equipping and improving its site, together with all necessary appurtenances thereto. Additionally at the meeting, a number of residents raised further concern about the proposed poultry facility on W. CR 90, known as Seneca Poultry, LLC. Among concerns raised, several continue to be in regard to air and water quality, as well as general quality-of-life. The next regularly scheduled commissioners meeting will take place at 10 a.m. Aug. 7.