LONDON, Ohio – Ohio farms are known for their resilience, which also holds true for the Ohio State University Molly Caren Agricultural Center, home to the annual Farm Science Review (FSR). The facility was damaged by an EF2 tornado in the early morning hours on Feb. 28. The path of the storm was over 21 miles long and 500 yards wide.

The aftermath of the storm left 46 of the 62 buildings on the grounds damaged or destroyed. This included 13 university-owned buildings and 33 privately-owned buildings.

All structures on the grounds have been restored as members of Farm Science Review (FSR) and the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) have rebuilt structures to ensure this grand show will go on as scheduled.

“We’ve come back stronger than ever, which is our nature as a farmer-focused facility and event,” said Nick Zachrich, FSR manager. “This is real life for farmers.”

Storms of any magnitude can wreak havoc on or even destroy any farm operation. For this reason, Aaron Wilson, an atmospheric scientist at OSU, will be on hand to discuss weather-related issues with farmers during his talk “Cultivating Resilience: Are You Prepared for Extreme Weather?”

“Limiting tornado damage can be challenging, of course, especially when you think of the barns and other shelters found on farms,” Wilson said. “There is ongoing research and innovation around building assets, like grain bins and barns, with materials that may better withstand extreme, high wind or hail events.”

Wilson’s discussion is part of the “Ask the Experts” portion of FSR. Wilson holds a joint appointment as a research scientist at the Byrd Polar & Climate Research Center. He is also a contributing member to the State Climate Office of Ohio.

Charlie Troxell, of Troxell Family Farms and a frequent FSR attendee who farms 1,800 acres, can attest to storm damage on the farm. Troxell lost multiple buildings in that February storm.

“We were fortunate. We lost the two oldest barns on the property, our original shop and a concrete containment facility,” Troxell said. “The lucky part is that we didn’t really have anything spring-related in the shop. However, the corn head was in there and was damaged. Our quality-built barns withstood the storm.

“You can’t replace nostalgia and history. Those things mean something. The barn we lost used to be host to 4-H meetings and other community events back in my dad’s heyday. Mentally, I was young enough to weather this, but I couldn’t imagine having to go through something like this again.”

Wilson intends to talk all things weather each day of FSR, at noon on Sept. 17 and at 11 a.m. on Sept. 18-19 at the “Ask the Expert” tent at Friday Avenue and Kottman Street on the grounds of FSR.

Wilson will touch on such things as weather whiplash, a term used to describe sudden shifts from one set of weather conditions to another. These conditions, Wilson said, can be costly and even deadly, and can disrupt agriculture, ecosystems, infrastructure and human activities. He will discuss the weather’s impact on spring planting, harvesting, soils, crops and more.

According to Wilson, most of the damage to farms in the wake of severe weather are physical assets, but there are some things that can’t be replaced no matter how much preparation one takes, and responding to these events takes a physical, mental and emotional toll on the families affected.

Wilson’s advice to farmers is three-part: secure unstable materials, keep a list of assets and equipment, and review insurance coverage annually.

Wilson said to keep unstable materials, like lumber, fuel tanks and other equipment, secured to limit dangerous flying objects. Next, secure an inventory list of assets including equipment, tools, livestock, buildings and building materials.

Finally, he said, have adequate insurance coverage for buildings and equipment and work with a reputable insurance company that understands the unique attributes of farm businesses.

“As a life-long Ohioan, I was inspired from a young age by the power of weather and have followed my passion with a deep commitment to this region,” said Wilson, who has more than eight years of experience using state-of-the-art numerical models to solve weather- and climate-related research questions.

“I encourage everyone across the rural to urban gradient to think about climate change, and how changing weather extremes are impacting where you live. I hope that by engaging in an open dialog on the science of climate change, we can bridge our expertise with the goals or improved decision making and effective adaptation to future climate impacts. It’s always a good day to talk about weather and climate.”

The “Ask the Experts” segment includes a total of 27 half-hour talks led by experts in their fields. Some topics include a grain market outlook; how Ohio farms are doing financially; pastures for profit; and fertilizer prices in 2024.