LONDON, Ohio — The 2015 Farm Science Review (FSR) is the place to go for the latest in technology, farm equipment, information on hot topics and food. Sponsored by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), it draws more than 130,000 people annually with more than 600 exhibitors.

This year the dates are Sept. 22-24; the show runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. next Tuesday and Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday. In addition to field demonstrations featuring the latest equipment, visitors can “Question the Authorities” or learn about wildlife and conservation at the Gwynne Conservation Area.

Visitors will have the chance to ask the experts during a series of 53 presentations offered by experts from OSU extension, the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Purdue University, according to Stan Ernst, an OSU extension specialist moderating the sessions. He said “Question the Authorities” affords participants opportunity to ask a range of general or technical questions related to their farm enterprise and offers an easy way for producers to interact with OSU and Purdue experts.

“The presentations focus on business, economic and policy concerns, as well as current topics that impact agriculture,” he explained. “The sessions are a way to get farmers, growers, producers and others a chance to hear directly from university experts on topics that have a financial impact.”

The presentations are broken into 20-minute sessions, which allow speakers enough time to get their message across and answer questions from the audience, then move to the next topic. Ernst added the goal of the program is to try to plant ideas and get people thinking about the issues coming down the pike and how those can impact their operations.

“We want to connect farmers and producers with university experts so that they can not only pick up some management tips that can help them on their farm, but to also plant ideas that will have them dig some more as they make their management decisions,” Ernst said.

Over at the Gwynne Conservation Area, the goals are similar, according to Kathy Smith. She is the organizer of this year’s Gwynne activities during the FSR and forestry program coordinator in the CFAES. “The intent is that landowners interested in conservation practices can see them here ‘on the land’ and decide if they’re a good fit for their property,” Smith said.

Those practices include planting trees, managing ponds, managing wildlife and simply getting to know the plants, birds and mammals that call Ohio home. Smith added talks in the Gwynne Area will be given by CFAES experts and others, and will cover such topics as deer exclusion fences; tree identification; pond management, especially aerating the water and controlling aquatic vegetation; and the environmental impacts of shale oil and gas drilling.

A complete list of topics, times and speakers can be found at http://fsr.osu.edu/gwynne

Smith said Gwynne also offers visitors a quiet place away from the hustle of the main grounds, as they can enjoy a breeze rustling through bluestem prairie grass, observe the bluebirds perched on nest boxes and see bluegills dimple the surface of ponds, while they listen to Deer Creek burbling beneath the trees.

Food stands around the grounds benefit commodity groups, service organizations and university clubs and organizations. The FSR is geared toward pedestrian traffic, but golf cart, scooters, Segways or other approved units for people with disabilities will be permitted. For more information on these policies, contact the management at 614-292-4228 or go to http://fsr.osu.edu/visitors/golf-cart-information

Tickets to the FSR may be purchased from your local extension office for only $7 or from local agribusinesses and machinery dealers. Tickets may also be ordered online at http://fsr.osu.edu/onlineticketform

Tickets purchased at the gate are $10, and children 5 and under are admitted free.