Ohio's Appalachian Plateau is a region of rolling hills, steep valleys and unique soils - OARDC established the Eastern Agricultural Research Station (formerly known as Eastern Ohio Resource and Development Center, EORDC) in Noble County because these characteristics cause farming challenges unique to this area of Ohio. In 1965, 728 acres of land were purchased near Belle Valley, Ohio. This initia
l block of hilly land, along with a 40-acre tract that was purchased several years later, is known as Unit I of Eastern Ag Research Station. The land was originally used for general crop and livestock farming. In 1966, the Union Carbide Corporation and the Baker-Noon Coal Company donated an additional 1,325 acres of land that had been extensively stripmined for coal. This area is known as Unit II of Eastern Ag Research Station. The Eastern Agricultural Research Station was created to increase the agricultural income from the hills of eastern Ohio. To do so, scientists are making use of the region's vast natural resources. Much of the land in this area not covered with timber is best suited for production of forage grasses and legumes. Production of quality forages at low costs is a key factor for profitability in the area¹s livestock enterprises. Currently, the beef and sheep industries are top priorities at the Eastern Research Station. Scientists are studying forage management schemes that will extend the grazing season reducing the need for mechanically harvested forages. One group of 40 beef cows on an extended grazing rotation is under evaluation for nutrition and growth rates. Alternative forages such as grazing corn have also been analyzed. The beef cattle research program examines technologies to improve production efficiency through selective breeding based on blood plasma differences in the insulin-like growth factor (IGF). Changes in growth, carcass traits and reproductive performance resulting from higher or lower blood levels of IGF are evaluated. Sheep research ¬ including management system studies and improved animal health are under way. Spoil stabilization and land reclamation studies are conducted on the stripmined areas of Unit II. Over the years, various soil amendments have been used as a method of returning the acidic soils to productivity. A new project is evaluating the use of fly ash a byproduct from coal-burning electric power plants as a soil amendment. If this is successful, it will reduce waste, reduce movement of the ash to landfills, and give producers a new, less-costly lining material to use on their farms. Ohio State University Extension’s Southeast Region Office is also located at the Eastern Agricultural Research Station and provides leadership for Ohio State¹s educational programs in agriculture for southeast Ohioans. Experiments are conducted by extension specialists at the Eastern station and on local farms within the district.
