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News and Notes: August 25, 2023

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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. Thoughts from the Director

    It is with mixed emotions that I draft my last introduction for News and Notes, as associate dean and director/chair of OSU Extension.

  2. David Civittolo Appointed Interim Associate Dean and Director, OSU Extension

    As announced this week by Dean Cathann Kress, David Civittolo has been appointed interim associate dean and director of OSU Extension and interim chair of the Department of Extension effective Sept. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, or until a new associate dean and director/chair is appointed.

  3. National Search for Associate Dean and Director, OSU Extension

    In September, Tracy Kitchel, CFAES senior associate dean and director of faculty and staff affairs, will begin assembling a search committee and outlining the search process and timeline for a national search for the next associate dean and director of OSU Extension.

  4. Associate Chair, Department of Extension Update

    As announced previously, Greg Davis is serving as an interim associate chair of the Department of Extension through Oct. 31, focusing strictly on promotion and tenure.

College Connections

  1. $2.5 Million Grant to be Used to Improve Health of Ohioans

    CFAES has received a $2.5 million award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to fund a project that will focus on improving nutrition and physical activity, and will address health disparities related to poor nutrition, physical activity, and obesity in the state.

  2. Murumkar named as Field Specialist, Ecosystems Services

    Asmita Murumkar has been hired as field specialist, ecosystem services for OSU Extension.

  3. Minter named as Field Specialist, Specialty Crops Production Systems

    Logan Minter has been hired as field specialist, specialty crops production systems for OSU Extension.

  4. OSU South Centers Host Field Night to Focus on Soil – Aug. 31

    Join OSU South Centers' Soil, Water, and Bioenergy Program, the Ohio No-Till Council, and Pike County Soil and Water Conservation District for an informative field night on Aug. 31 (5-9 p.m.).

  5. People Make their Cooperatives Go and Grow: Reflections on a Timeless Idea

    The timeless idea that it is people who make their cooperative go and grow is celebrating its 50th year as a guiding principle in cooperative organizations.

  6. Celebration of Youth – Sept. 14

    The Ohio 4-H Celebration of Youth (COY) gathers Extension’s community of supporters to advance the mission of Ohio 4-H.

Programming Perspectives

  1. Forages for Horses Webinars to Start Soon – Aug. 30

    The OSU Extension Forage Team and the Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council have developed the Forage for Horses Webinar Series.

  2. Spot Spray Technologies Webinar hosted by Wisconsin Extension – Sept. 6

    Wisconsin Extension is hosting a Spot Spray Technologies webinar on Sept. 6 (1-3 p.m. EST). The goal of this Extension webinar is to generate awareness and address agricultural stakeholder questions about spot spray technologies.

  3. Improving Your Woods Day of Learning – Sept. 8

    An Improving Your Woods day of learning will be held on Sept. 8 (9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) at the Vinton Furnace State Experimental Forest in southern Ohio.

  4. Water Management and Quality for Greenhouse and Nursery Crop Production – Sept. 8

    Join professionals from Extension, USDA, and other land-grant universities for a Water Management and Quality for Greenhouse and Nursery Crop Production Workshop.

  5. EPN Breakfast to Focus on Ohio River Utilization – Sept. 12

    The next Environmental Professionals Network (EPN) Breakfast on Sept. 12 (7:15-11:45 a.m.) will focus on utilizing Ohio’s rivers to stimulate and enhance community and economic development.

  6. Sheep Shearing School – Sept. 22-23

    Learn how to shear sheep from the experts at Extension’s Sheep Shearing School Sept. 22-23 at the Dave Cable Farm in Hebron.

  7. Active Parenting Workshops Gear up for Next Series of Sessions

    Join OSU Extension for a series of parenting workshops called Blast Off!

  8. Digital Ag Inservice Announced – Sept. 27

    Those with an interest in learning about digital agriculture, especially harvest data collection and emerging technologies, should plan to attend a Digital Ag Inservice on Sept. 27 (9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) at the Northwest Agricultural Research Station.

Tech Updates

  1. New Cybersecurity for You Activities Released

    As we prepare for the start of this academic year, a brand-new achievement and new activities have been released in the Cybersecurity for You (C4U) awareness platform.

Operations/Business of Extension

  1. New Security Feature for NelNet Launched

    There has been a large influx of fraudulent activity on university-owned NelNet Commerce Manager pages that has prompted the Ohio State Treasurer's Office and NelNet to implement a new authentication feature via email code.

Celebrating Colleagues

  1. Apsley Receives ODNR’s Cardinal Award

    Dave Apsley received the 2023 Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Cardinal Award at a special ceremony during the Ohio State Fair.

  2. Extension Professionals Honored at Recent NACAA Conference

    Five Extension professionals were recently honored at the National Association of Agriculture Agents (NACAA) 2023 annual conference for their service to the agriculture and natural resources profession.

Professional Development Opportunities

  1. National Extension Tourism Conference — Registration Deadline Extended

    The deadline to register for the National Extension Tourism Conference, which will be held Sept. 24-27 in Milwaukee, WI, has been extended.

  2. Staff and Manager Career Development Grants Deadline Approaching – Aug. 31

    Applications for Staff and Manager Career Development Grants are being accepted through Aug. 31.

  3. New Employee Onboarding Fall Schedule – Starting Sept. 5

    All new Extension employees have the fall 2023 Onboard. Network. Excel. (O.N.E.) dates and assignments on their calendars. Note: this onboarding is required for all new employees, including the modules that are contained in Canvas.

  4. 2024 North Central Leadership Conference Accepting Submissions for Talks and Sessions

    The North Central Leadership Conference is accepting submissions through Aug. 31 for its April 2024 conference in Fargo, ND.

  5. Ohio JCEP Scholarships and Grants Deadline – Sept. 1

    The deadline to apply for the Ohio Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP) professional development scholarships and grants is Sept. 1. 

  6. Journal of NACAA Accepting Submissions for December Issue – Due Sept. 15

    The deadline to submit articles for consideration to be published in the Dec. 1 issue of the Journal of National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA), a peer-reviewed publication, is Sept. 15.

  7. The Extension and Research Support Staff Association Annual Conference – Oct. 17-20

    Registration for The Extension and Research Support Staff Association (TERSSA) annual conference – which will be held Oct. 17-20 in Columbus – is now open.

  8. Ohio Affiliate of AAFCS Conference — Oct. 19-20

    The Ohio Affiliate of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) will host its annual conference on Oct. 19-20 at The Blackwell Inn and Pfahl Conference Center on campus.

  9. LinkedIn Learning Free Professional Development Offered via Ohio State

    Ohio State faculty, staff, and students have free access to LinkedIn Learning – provided by the Office of Human Resources, the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, and the university’s Staff Advisory Committee.

  10. OSU Leadership Center Offers Professional Development Workshops 

    Check out the ongoing list of workshops hosted by the Leadership Center.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

  1. CFAES Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Updates

    CFAES is committed to ensuring that all of its research and related educational programming are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. There are several upcoming diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-focused workshops in CFAES.

Extension Annual Conference

  1. Regional Conversations Scheduled for Fall 2023

    In place of the in-person annual conference, Extension will host regional conversations this year during the week of November 13.

  2. Next Annual Conference to be Held Dec. 10-11, 2024

    Save the date for Extension’s 2024 Annual Conference. The 2024 event will be held in-person in Columbus on Dec. 10-11, 2024.

Health and Wellness

  1. Mental Health Resources are Available via Ohio State

    Ohio State is committed to a culture of care and well-being for students, faculty and staff. The university offers a variety of services and tools to meet the needs of the campus community.