News and Notes: December 6, 2024

The CFAES Office for Research and Graduate Education and the Grant Development Support Unit (GDSU) are now accepting applications for D.C. Days 2025. This program provides an opportunity for faculty researchers from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) to become more competitive by visiting federal program officers and federal funding agencies in Washington D.C. It enables researchers to determine if their basic research concepts align with the sponsor’s mission, seek advice concerning project design and appropriate funding tracks, and better understand the peer review process. Participants will be chosen through a competitive application process to attend the three-day trip. Applications are accepted from any interested faculty member; however, priority is given to those with the rank of assistant professor (pre-tenure), especially those who have grant writing experience. Previous attendees are welcome to apply; however, they will not be eligible for the GDSU stipend. Applications are due Jan. 8, 2025.

Ohio State is seeking nominations of scholars, practitioners, and graduate students for the 2025 University Outreach and Engagement Awards, which honor faculty, staff and students for outstanding achievement in producing engaged scholarship and community impact. Awards will be given in three categories: Community Engaged Scholar, Community Engaged Practitioner (for staff), and Community Engaged Graduate Student. The deadline to apply is Dec. 15. Read more and apply at engage.osu.edu/university-outreach-and-engagement-awards. 

Interested in learning about and getting involved with eBarns? Join the eBarns team on Jan. 23 (2 p.m.) for a kick-off to the 2025 research season. Discover opportunities for on-farm research and hear about plans for the upcoming year. You can join the Zoom meeting here.

Join Extension’s water quality associates for their fifth annual winter webinar series focusing on the interaction between agriculture and water quality. They will be held on Jan. 29, Feb. 26, and March 26. Each webinar will have a unique topic and speaker. Continuing education credits (CEUs) will be offered for Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs) for each webinar. Certified Livestock Manager (CLM) CEUs will also be offered for relevant topics. All webinars will be recorded and posted to the OSU Agronomy Team YouTube channel. CEUs will not be available from the recordings. Click here to register.

Due to continued demand, live Adobe Express trainings will continue in 2025. Express, a powerful graphic design tool for marketing pieces, is available to all Ohio State employees. Extension Communications has provided templates (for flyers, social media, newsletters, yard signs, and more) in brand folders for Extension and Ohio 4-H within Express. 

Upcoming live training sessions are scheduled for: 

• Dec. 18 (1:30-3 p.m.) – Express Training in Teams 

• Jan. 8 (10-11:30 a.m.) – Express Training in Teams 

• Jan. 29 (10-11:30 a.m.) – Express Training in Teams  

• Feb. 18 (1-3 p.m.) – Express Training in Teams 

A pre-recorded Express training is also available here. 

If you have any questions about using Express or accessing the brand folders, contact Marissa Mullett (mullett.50@ou.edu). 

Michelle Gaston, program coordinator for OSU Extension strategic initiatives and urban engagement, recently received an award for excellence in Extension staff development from the National Association of Extension Program and Staff Development Professionals (NAEPSDP). This award recognizes individuals who use creativity, innovation, and evidence to develop and deliver staff development initiatives that strengthen the employee capacity of Cooperative Extension systems. She was recognized for her excellence in managing the Leadership in the City hybrid learning course for urban Extension professionals in Ohio and across the country. NAEPSDP is one of one of several Joint Council of Extension Professional (JCEP) associations, with a focus on providing an organized forum for advancing the continuous improvement of Extension professionals working in program, staff, and organizational development.

In 2016, CFAES launched a leadership development program for faculty and staff in the college. Because of the positive feedback from participants, the college is continuing its investment in this program. Congratulations to the following Extension professionals who were selected to participate in the 2025 program: 

• Logan Minter – field specialist, specialty crops 
• Eric Romich – field specialist, energy development 
• Joe Lucente – acting assistant director, community development 
• Laura Halladay – program specialist, healthy people 
• Kristen Eisenhauer – educator, agriculture and natural resources 
• Cheryl Buck – manager, Extension communications 
• Amanda Douridas – educator, agriculture and natural resources 
• Allison Cooper – educator, 4-H youth development 
• Courtney Warman – program specialist, healthy finances 
• Kendall Lovejoy – educator, agriculture and natural resources 

There will be two opportunities for you to learn Trauma-Informed Approaches skills in 2025 – March 18-19 and Nov. 12-13) in Columbus. 

Why is a trauma-informed approach essential for your work? It’s about recognizing the diverse traumas individuals may face and ensuring they receive the understanding and support they need. A trauma-informed approach helps prevent re-traumatization and fosters a compassionate community, enhancing how we connect with those we serve. If you received prior trauma-informed approach training, plan to attend one of the sessions to receive updated materials. And if you’d like to add trauma-informed approach training to your professional skillset, new participants are also welcome. More information will be shared about the 2025 sessions as details are finalized.