OSU Extension Mercer County

OSU Extension Mercer County Mercer County Extension office is a "branch office" of The Ohio State University. As their answer to this problem, they formed the Agricultural Students Union.

Some of the earliest starts in the college education of agriculture and agricultural research began with the Morrill Act of 1862, which set aside government land to establish “land-grant colleges and universities.” The Hatch Act of 1887 made the first grants in aid of federal funds to the states for conducting agricultural research. An important turning point in Ohio’s agricultural progress came

in 1895 when a group of students in the School of Agriculture at The Ohio State University decided that results of classroom instruction at Ohio State and research done at the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station were not getting out to farmers on the land. They planned and encouraged research and demonstrations of farms over the next ten years. These demonstrations were mainly held on farms operated by former students of the college. This was indeed the first “extension” of college teaching and experimental research in Ohio. On July 1, 1905, A.B. Grahm became the first Superintendent of Extension at The Ohio State University. He immediately wrote up this plan for Extension work:

“To elevate the standard of living in rural communities.”
“To emphasize the importance of hard work and habits of industry, which are essential to building a strong character.”
“To acquaint boys and girls with their environment and to interest them in making their own investigations.”
“To give boys who shall become interested in farm work an elementary knowledge of agriculture and farm practices and to girls the simplest facts of domestic economy.”
“To educate the adults in elementary science of agriculture and in the most up-to-date farm practices.”

Going along with the first plan of Extension work in Ohio were two basic objectives: 1) to introduce more instruction in agriculture and domestic science into rural schools, and
2) to care for as many boys and girls in agricultural clubs as practicable, with or without the public schools.

08/14/2026

⚠️Please note! We are operating from the Mercer County Fair from Thursday, August 13th to Wednesday, August 19th. The office will also be closed Thursday, August 20th and Friday, August 21st as we wrap up and clean up from the fair. You can find us in the PBS Animal Health Building or under the Ag tent. You can still call our office number and we will get back with you at 419-586-2179. See you at the Fair!

Join us as our Summer series the Lawn & Garden Talks continues! On Wednesday, August 26, we invite you to learn about bu...
08/11/2026

Join us as our Summer series the Lawn & Garden Talks continues! On Wednesday, August 26, we invite you to learn about building your own backyard greenhouse. Learn the basics of greenhouse planning, design, materials, and maintenance so you can create the perfect growing space right at home.
🗓Date: Wednesday, August 26
🕐Time: 6:00pm
📍Location: Mercer County Ag Center at 4978 Mud Pike, Celina
No cost and open to all!

Join us on Wednesday, July 29 at 6:00 PM for an engaging Lawn & Garden Talk exploring the fascinating story of one of th...
07/14/2026

Join us on Wednesday, July 29 at 6:00 PM for an engaging Lawn & Garden Talk exploring the fascinating story of one of the world's most beloved flowers! 🌻
We're pleased to welcome guest speaker Vaughn Davis, co-owner of SchoolHouse Farms, as he shares the history, significance, and modern-day uses of sunflowers in his presentation, "History in Bloom: Sunflowers Then and Now."
There is no cost to attend and everyone is invited. We will be in the conference room of the Mercer County Ag Center, located at 4978 Mud Pike, Celina. Bring a friend and join us for an evening of learning and gardening inspiration!

Attention pond owners: Curious about improving water quality, managing aquatic plants, attracting wildlife, or growing h...
07/08/2026

Attention pond owners: Curious about improving water quality, managing aquatic plants, attracting wildlife, or growing healthier fish populations? Join the Mercer and Auglaize County Ohio State Extension Offices for a free Pond Clinic and get expert advice to help you make the most of your pond.
Event Details
•What: West Ohio Pond Clinic
•When: Thursday, July 30, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
•Where: Eden Haven Park, Celina (In the 8800 block of Hellwarth Rd)
•Cost: Free and open to the public
•Register: Please preregister at go.osu.edu/WOpond so we can contact attendees in the event of severe weather.
There are picnic tables there to sit at, or you may bring your own lawn chair. We encourage anyone interested in pond health, water quality, fisheries, wildlife habitat, or general pond maintenance to attend. Please feel free to share this invitation with friends, neighbors, and anyone who may be interested.

Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸 Please note our office is closed on Friday, July 3, 2026.
06/29/2026

Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸 Please note our office is closed on Friday, July 3, 2026.

Our office will be closed on Friday this week in observance of Juneteenth. Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the Un...
06/15/2026

Our office will be closed on Friday this week in observance of Juneteenth.
Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the United States, commemorating June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved people in Texas learned they were free - more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Lincoln.
Our regular office hours are 8:30am-4:00pm, M-F or by appointment. We look forward to connecting with you!

🌿🌼 Calling all garden lovers - and lovers of learning! 🌼🌿Join us on Wednesday, June 24 at 6pm for our third Lawn & Garde...
06/10/2026

🌿🌼 Calling all garden lovers - and lovers of learning! 🌼🌿
Join us on Wednesday, June 24 at 6pm for our third Lawn & Garden Talk of the summer: all about the Ohio State Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program.
Have you ever thought about turning your passion for gardening into something more? Come learn how you can grow your skills through extensive horticultural training, then volunteer your time assisting with educational programs and activities in our area.

If you're not ready to become a Master Gardener Volunteer, you're still welcome to come learn about the program. They are a wonderful community resource! Please join us and bring a friend. No pre-registration is required.

Our office is closed on Monday, May 25 and will reopen on Tuesday. We look forward to connecting with you then!
05/22/2026

Our office is closed on Monday, May 25 and will reopen on Tuesday. We look forward to connecting with you then!

Join us Wednesday, May 27 for part two of our summer Lawn & Garden Talk series! Discover the art and science of fermenti...
05/14/2026

Join us Wednesday, May 27 for part two of our summer Lawn & Garden Talk series! Discover the art and science of fermenting fresh vegetables into delicious, gut-healthy foods. Our guest speaker, Tina McGillvary, will guide you through the basics of fermentation and share practical tips you can use at home. Tina is the Family and Consumer Sciences Educator in Darke County OSU Extension.

The Talk begins at 6:00pm in the Conference Room of the Mercer County Ag Center, located at 4978 Mud Pike, Celina. Everyone is welcome to attend and all Talks are free!

Looking to strengthen your manure and fertilizer management strategies? Join us on July 22 for the Manure Science Review...
05/06/2026

Looking to strengthen your manure and fertilizer management strategies?
Join us on July 22 for the Manure Science Review at Homan, Inc, tailored for farmers, applicators, and agricultural professionals working with manure and fertilizer. This event will highlight current research, proven practices, and practical insights to support effective nutrient management on the farm.
Learn, ask questions, and connect with others who work hands-on in agriculture.
Registration opens June 1.
Event hosted by Ohio State Extension Environmental and Manure Management and Water Quality Extension Associates.

Address

4978 Mud Pike, Suite 1
Celina, OH
45822

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4pm
Friday 8:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+14195862179

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