News and Notes: November 17, 2023

OUR VISION: Ohioans have the knowledge and resources they need to actively engage in creating conditions in which they thrive.  

OUR MISSION: We create opportunities for people to explore how science-based knowledge can improve social, economic, and environmental conditions.  

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Leadership Notes

  1. Note from David Civittolo

    When this message is sent, I’ll be wrapping up a five-day tour of the state for Regional Conversations.

  2. Zoller Named Agriculture and Natural Resources Interim Assistant Director

    Chris Zoller will join Extension’s leadership team as the interim assistant director, agriculture and natural resources, effective Dec. 1, 2023.

College Connections

  1. ACEL Accepting Applications for Graduate School Program – Dec. 1 Deadline

    Extension professionals who want to advance their careers with a higher degree have the option to apply to the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership (ACEL)’s graduate program.

  2. CFAES Faculty and Staff Award Nominations – Due Nov. 30

    The nomination window for the 2023-2024 College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences faculty and staff awards is open through Nov. 30, 2023.

Community Connections

  1. Hardin and Morgan Counties – Funding Levies Pass

    Extension funding levies recently passed in Hardin and Morgan counties. Congratulations to our faculty and staff who serve those counties.

  2. Kroger Gift to Benefit Ohio Youth by way of Ohio 4-H Foundation

    Kroger recently gifted $50,000 to the Ohio 4-H Foundation. Last week, Kirk Bloir, state 4-H leader, and Crystal Ott, Ohio 4-H Foundation manager, accepted this gift that will help support the Ohio 4-H program at a Kroger store’s grand re-opening event in Chillicothe.

  3. A Closer Look at the Farm – Mental Health, Wellness, and Risk

    The Ohio Youth Resilience Collaborative will host A Closer Look at the Farm – Mental Health, Wellness, and Risk session on Dec. 12 (11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.).

Programming Perspectives

  1. Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator Conference – Nov. 28

    There will be a Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) Conference on Nov. 28 (9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) for all educators, program coordinators, program managers, and any other staff members who are responsible for overseeing a county’s MGV program. This conference is also for any Extension professional who is interested in starting a MGV program at the county level.

  2. Planning for the Future of Your Farm – Fall and Winter Workshops Announced

    Members of the Farm Office Team have several farm transition workshops planned throughout the fall and winter months. These Planning for the Future of Your Farm workshops will provide participants with information on the communication and legal strategies that provide solutions for dealing with farm transition needs and decision-making.

  3. EPN to host Hemlock-ed In — Dec. 5

    Join EPN for Hemlock-ed In on Dec. 5 (5-7:30 p.m.) at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center.

Tech Updates

  1. Microsoft Teams Calling Coming Soon

    Microsoft Teams Calling is the university solution to keep us connected regardless of where we work and will be replacing our Skype for Business phone system at Ohio State. The majority of CFAES is slated to begin moving to Teams Calling on Nov. 8 and 15, 2023 (county sites will be migrated separately).

  2. New Authentication Methods for BuckeyePass

    BuckeyePass, powered by Duo Security, has new passkey authentication methods available, making it easier than ever to access the systems you need.

Operations/Business of Extension

  1. Vita Data Entry Update – Dec. 15 Deadline for 2023

    As previously announced, Vita was retired for general Ohio State use on Aug. 1, 2023. However, all OSU Extension program faculty and staff who have entered data into Vita still have access and must continue to enter data into Vita for the remainder of 2023.

  2. New Extension Data Portal

    The new Extension Data Portal will be launched in January 2024 to replace the Extension portion of Vita. This system will provide a streamlined data entry process and enhanced reporting functionality. Online training for the system will be available on Jan. 2, 2024 through Carmen Canvas and will be required before access is granted. In addition, you will need to have completed your Institutional Data Policy (IDP) training to access the new system.

  3. Holiday Expenditure Guidance

    With the holiday season approaching, there are numerous things to keep in mind when planning holiday-related expenditures – from allowed expenditure amounts to locations and times of planned events.

  4. Add Career Data in Workday by Dec. 5

    The Office of Human Resources recently launched a new project called the Staff Career Data Project. The goal for this project is to collect staff education and past work experience in Workday.

Celebrating Colleagues

  1. 4-H Project Book Earns National Peer Review Status

    You're Hired, an Ohio 4-H curriculum book, recently passed National 4-H peer review. This means it was blind peer reviewed by an independent team of 4-H educators from across the country.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

  1. CFAES Principles of Community

    We affirm our conviction that racism and inequality have no place in CFAES. Our CFAES Principles of Community serve as a base for managing these actions.

Health and Wellness

  1. Stopping the Deadly Legacy of Tobacco Use and Nicotine Addiction

    Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death. But at Ohio State’s Center for Tobacco Research, a team of experts with decades of research and a new $20 million grant from the National Cancer Institute’s Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science is poised to make significant impacts on public health.

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