Dig a Little, Learn Alot  As temperatures finally go UP this
spring, take a minute to look DOWN at the ground and investigate
the SOIL. What does the soil look like? How does the soil feel?
Does rain sink into the ground quickly? Answering these
questions during planting can pay off later during harvest.  "It
doesn’t matter what kind of landowner you are - a small farmer,
large farmer, organic grower or even homeowners and gardeners -
you can easily examine your soils. Take a quick look and you can
learn a lot," says State Agronomist Mark Scarpitti.  The Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the conservation arm of
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, launched "Unlock the Secrets
of the Soil" in an effort to focus attention on soil health.
According to State Conservationist Terry Cosby, "Prime farmland
makes up 73 percent of Ohio’s 11 million acres of cropland.
That’s a heck of a lot of good agricultural land and a huge
responsibility. The well-being of future Ohioans hinges on how
well we protect and