LONDON, Ohio – Rains in the Midwest stress the need for proper water management plans like
that of the Farm Science Review’s year-round effort to improve the water quality at the Molly Caren
Agricultural Center, which will be emphasized with the installation of 40 acres of drainage lines and
structures during the 2013 Review by the Ohio Land Improvement Contractors Association (OLICA).Staff
members of the Review have been collecting water samples on the grounds for the past six months, with a
long-term goal of collecting samples year-round to determine the water quality throughout the entire
farm, including the Deer Creek stream. Water quality is determined by the effectiveness of the drainage
structures in place."The topic of drainage is really popular among farmers throughout the Midwest
right now because it has the potential to be the biggest return on investment in their operations, and
it can also increase their yields," said Matt Sullivan, Assistant Manager of the Farm Science
Review. "That’s why we showcase it at the Review year after year."Three components comprise
the Review’s drainage water management plan: crop production, soil health and water quality. Each
component is evaluated from the time seeds are planted and nutrients are applied on the fields to water
leaving the grounds via the drainage system."Farmers want optimal drainage, but are they improving
water quality at the same time?" asked Sullivan. "When both crop production and soil drainage
are performing at optimal levels, then we can achieve a consistently higher water quality."Sullivan
said the Molly Caren Agricultural Center’s water management plan serves as a model for drainage
technology.OLICA’s demonstrations of the new drainage technologies at this year’s Review will show
attendees the installation process, how structures work and the opportunities that exist to improve
water quality while potentially making crop production more profitable.These demonstrations will take
place daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the field demonstration area just north of I-70."OLICA has
been a huge supporter of the Review, and it’s a great opportunity for them to showcase different types
of drainage technologies while also giving them the opportunity to see their customers and make new
connections within the agriculture industry," said Sullivan. "It’s a win-win for both of
us."Other partners of the Review’s ongoing drainage project include OLICA’s members, the USDA
Research Service Drainage Unit and Trimble Navigation.The 2013 Farm Science Review will be held Sept.
17-19, and advance sale tickets are available at any Ohio State University Extension office, local
agribusinesses or online for $7. Tickets will be sold at the gate for $10. For more information on the
Farm Science Review, visit fsr.osu.edu.Farm Science Review is sponsored by the College of Food,
Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, and the Ohio Agricultural
Research and Development Center.The event annually attracts more than 140,000 visitors from all over the
country and Canada, who come for three days to peruse 4,000 product lines from 600 commercial
exhibitors, and learn the latest in agricultural research, conservation, family and nutrition, and
gardening and landscape.