Tuesday, December 31st, 2013

Versailles native new ag coordinator at Lake Campus

By Nancy Allen
A Darke County native and fifth-generation farmer is the new agriculture program coordinator at Wright State University-Lake Campus.
Greg McGlinch, Versailles, starts the new, full-time position Monday. He will step down from the nutrient management specialist position at the Darke County Soil and Water Conservation District to take the new post. He's worked at the SWCD office for seven years.
"I've just done a lot of education in the past and it was always an interest of mine," McGlinch said of why he pursued the job.
With SWCD, McGlinch worked with livestock farmers on pollution issues and helped them install manure storage structures to balance their farm's nutrients. He said he has stressed the importance of managing manure and other nutrients and helped develop the SWCD's soil fertility nutrient management course offered to farmers. He's also worked on ag-related water quality issues and urban stormwater management.
Lake Campus Professor Greg Homan, who helped start the ag program in 2009, said the position was created to help the program grow after students expressed an interest in more course offerings.
"He'll help build the curriculum, create new courses in areas of need, particularly in agronomy and ag economics," Homan said. "He will bring wide expertise in farm production, cover crops and agronomy."
Mercer and Auglaize counties, where many Lake Campus students are from, are home to hundreds of farms. Mercer County has ranked first in farm income among the state's 88 counties for several years.
Homan said McGlinch will coordinate marketing efforts to reach out to high schools and area employers on the skills they need in potential employees. He also will set up tours of area agribusinesses for students in the program.
McGlinch, 33, has a bachelor's degree in agriculture and a master's degree in agronomy. He and his wife, Janet, farm about 450 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and cereal rye with his parents, Gary and Sharon, and his brother, Mike. For the last two years the family has raised cereal rye for a whiskey distillery in New Carlisle.
"I'm looking forward to taking on the new position," McGlinch said.
Funding for the new Lake Campus position was included in the last state budget, Homan said. The funds were leveraged by Sen. Keith Faber, R-Celina, and State Rep. Jim Buchy, R-Greenville.
Additional online stories on this date
CELINA - The intersection of state Routes 118 and 29 may net safety upgrades as officials study the 17 traffic deaths this year on Grand Lake area roads. [More]
CELINA - Stoked by a strong start, Coldwater jumped out to an early lead and rolled to a 64-37 win over Mercer County rival Celina in girls basketball action on Monday night at the Fieldhouse. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Crime, lake activities, court proceedings, sports titles make news
1. Grube murder suspects awaiting trials
Two suspects in the 2011 murders of a Fort Recovery father and daughter are still waiting to go to trial.
CELINA - Leaders of several community service groups met Monday afternoon to craft a plan to help residents of Mercelina Mobile Court.
Earlier this
Mark Ernst sworn in as new police chief
ST. MARYS - The city's four police dispatchers will receive lump-sum bonuses and a pay raise in a new three-year contract.
St. Marys council member
CELINA - Police are asking the public for help in locating three suspects allegedly involved in an early Sunday morning burglary at R.J. Sound and Communications in Celina.
COLDWATER - Village council members brought a busy 2013 to a close Monday night.
Mayor Joe Knapschaefer summed up 2013 by noting a pair of lawsuits
ST. HENRY - Council members passed ordinances Monday night to give most village employees raises of about 50 cents an hour starting in January.
Tho
Local Roundup
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
St. Marys' girls basketball team trailed after the first quarter but outscored Greenville in each of the final three quarters to earn their first win of the season, a 45-29 triumph over the Green Wave on Monday night in Darke County.
Top 10 local sports stories of 2013
1. Flyers crowned again - For the third straight season, and seventh time since 2000, Marion Local captured a football state title with a 33-0 win over Glouster Trimble in the first Division VII state championship game in Massillon.
The Marion Local football team will be honored as part of the MaxPreps National Tour of Champions at halftime of the Jan. 9 girls basketball game against New Knoxville.