WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, Ohio – Farmers, agribusiness professionals, and agricultural enthusiasts are invited to attend the 2026 Southwest Ohio Corn Growers Agronomy Field Day on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the Fayette County Airport, located at 2770 Old Route 38 NW, Washington Court House, Ohio. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is being hosted through a partnership with the Southwest Ohio Corn Growers Association and Ohio State University Extension, Fayette County.
The free event will feature a full day of educational programming focused on current agronomic issues, farm management strategies, emerging opportunities for corn growers, and farm succession planning. Attendees will also have opportunities to network with fellow producers and industry leaders while learning about the latest advancements in corn and specialty crop production, soil health, crop management, and precision agriculture.
The program begins at 9 a.m. with David Marrison, Ohio State University Extension Farm Management Field specialist, presenting "Planning for the Farm Transition." This session will be followed by Robert Moore, Ohio State University Agricultural Resource Attorney, discussing “Legal Aspects of Transitioning the Farm Business."
Agronomic topics will take center stage throughout the remainder of the morning. Dr. Osler Ortez of Ohio State University will present “Lessons Learned from 50+ Years of Ohio's Corn Performance Test: Trends, Changes, and Yields," highlighting long-term trends and insights from Ohio's corn hybrid testing program. Following Ortez, Dr. Horacio Nicora-Lopez will discuss Red Crown Root-Rot and Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN), two important concerns affecting soybean productivity and profitability.
The keynote agronomic presentation will be delivered by Dr. Chad Lee of the University of Kentucky. His presentation, “Maximizing Corn Yields in a Challenging Economy," will examine strategies producers can use to maintain profitability while managing rising production costs and economic uncertainty.
The event concludes with a panel discussion titled "New and Emerging Uses of Corn." Moderated by Tadd Nicholson of Ohio Corn and Wheat, the panel will feature Harley Jansen from The National Corn Growers Association, Jed Bowers, the current National Corn Growers Association President, along with Eric Tipton, the current Ohio Corn and Wheat Association President. Panelists will share perspectives on market development, innovation, and future opportunities for Ohio's corn industry. We are proud that Bowers and Tipton are both Fayette County farmers.
In addition to the educational sessions, participants will have access to health and wellness services including health screenings, derma scans, tetanus vaccinations, and lung cancer screenings. Corn Grower members attending the event will also be eligible for raffle prizes, including a $500 seed voucher and a $500 equipment/service voucher.
Organizers extend their appreciation to event sponsors; Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association, Fayette County Travel and Tourism, Seed Genetics Direct, and Valero Renewables, Inc. Additional thanks are extended to Brandt Co. and NACHURS for serving as speaker sponsors and helping support a high-quality educational program featuring leading experts from the Ohio State University, the University of Kentucky, and national agricultural organizations.
A complimentary breakfast, lunch, and homemade ice cream will be provided for all attendees. Organizers encourage farmers, landowners, agribusiness professionals, and anyone interested in the future of Ohio agriculture to attend. There are still opportunities for businesses to be exhibitors for the event. For additional information, visit fayette.osu.edu or contact Ken Ford, ANR Educator at 740-335-1150.