Longtime Muskingum County extension educator to retire

ZANESVILLE – Mark Mechling grew up on a farm in Fairfield County, so it wasn’t by accident that he spent the bulk of his career interacting with farmers just two counties away.

For 23 years, he’s worked with farmers in Muskingum County, educating them on the latest developments in the trade. It’s a job he said he’s valued — and one he will miss, as he plans to step down as an educator at the county Ohio State University Extension Office.

His last day is Tuesday.

“I’ve enjoyed what I’ve done here,” he said. “You get to work with generations of farmers. ... It’s interesting to see kids grow into being managers of their family farm and business.”

After teaching for 11 years, Mechling, 59, started at the county extension office in 1989 when he worked with the 4-H program. Three years later, he became an agriculture and natural resources extension educator.

It’s an ever-evolving job, he said, one that involves constant research and problem-solving to stay on the forefront of agriculture and technology.

And the mission of Ohio State’s extension program — to expand university resources and information to the people of Ohio — has been one he’s taken seriously.

“It’s very meaningful to be part of a process where we have access to the top researchers and scientists in the world,” said Mechling, who is on the faculty at Ohio State.

But for Mechling to educate farmers, he himself must stay up to date with the needs of Muskingum County and, even more so, emerging technologies — the latter of which he said “has just been incredibly important.”

Smartphones and global positioning systems, for instance, have become increasingly vital to farmers, he said. And a department that has traditionally relied on mailed newsletters is now turning to the Web to share the latest happenings in the agricultural world.

But beyond the technology, Mechling has had to stay abreast of issues that are unforeseen. He recalls when the emerald ash borer invaded the county within the past couple of years, destroying millions of ash trees in its wake.

That required him to educate farmers on the implications and how to combat the non-native species.

“You never know if there’s a new disease outbreak or if there is a bug people are concerned about or if some new legislation was passed that farmers are concerned about,” he said. “It’s being nimble enough to change your programming so you are relevant.”

He’s hosted programs and training in a variety of topics, such as local food guides, genetics, and even marketing skills for agricultural businesses.

During his stint, Mechling also has overseen the initiation of the Master Gardeners, a group of trained volunteers who educate the community on horticulture.

“They’ve really made an impact on the community,” he said of the Master Gardeners. “That helps us have a more educated community in terms of horticulture issues.”

He’s also facilitated several studies, including a farmland preservation plan in the mid-1990s and the first county comprehensive plan since the 1970s, completed in 2008.

Once he retires, he said, he looks forward to spending time with Nancy, his wife of 34 years, at their home in Duncan Falls. He also plans to work on a farm he and his brother own in Perry County.

Though no one will take his place in the interim, Ohio State is conducting a nationwide hiring process to find Mechling’s replacement. Mechling said he expects a hire by the end of the summer.

He has high hopes for the county office’s future.

“I think Extension is relevant, and I hope Extension continues to meet local needs of the community and the farmers,” he said.

elagatta@zanesvilletimesrecorder.com

740-450-6753

Twitter: @EricLagatta

Make a donation

Mark Mechling plans to retire this week as an educator in the Muskingum County Ohio State University Extension Office.

In lieu of a public retirement event or personal gifts, Mechling is asking the public to make a contribution to a scholarship fund his parents established at Ohio State.

To make a donation, send checks payable to OSU to the Paul and Anne Mechling Scholarship Fund at the Ohio State University Foundation, 1480 W. Lane Ave., Columbus, Ohio.