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News and Notes: February 2, 2024

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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In This Issue:

Leadership Notes

  1. Note from David Civittolo

College Connections

  1. CFAES Farm Bill Summit Planned — Feb. 23

Community Connections

  1. Rural Population Research Network Listening Sessions Planned

Programming Perspectives

  1. Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing – March 12 and April 23

Award Opportunities/Reminders

  1. NACAA Agricultural Awareness and Appreciation Award Applications – Due March 15

Operations/Business of Extension

  1. Name Badge Order Process and Format Update
  2. New Employee Onboarding and Mentoring Spring Schedule
  3. New Extension Data Portal Officially Replaces Vita
  4. Grant Development Support Unit Assists with Grant Submissions

Professional Development Opportunities

  1. EPN Breakfast – Feb. 13
  2. Outdoor Safety Professional Development Day – Feb. 15
  3. Virtual Volunteer Engagement Conference – Feb. 22
  4. GlobalOHIO Immersion Learning Tour – May 2 and 3

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

  1. CFAES Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Offers Workshops

Health and Wellness

  1. Your Plan for Health Events Calendar

  1. Note from David Civittolo

    Sometimes I get so focused on the hours, days, and weeks ahead that I don’t give much thought to what I was doing a week ago or, to be honest, even yesterday. Tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of the train derailment in East Palestine. As the date approaches, I’ve spent time mulling over the catastrophe and I find myself incredibly inspired by the team that stepped up – on behalf of CFAES and Extension – to provide support, knowledge, expertise, and direction to a community in its time of crisis.

    Now would be an appropriate time to thank and acknowledge all of the professionals who were involved in leading, participating in, or supporting the East Palestine response team in its year-long work. They include: Haley Shoemaker, Jeff Hattey, Devin Petersen, Matt Teegarden, Paola Forero, Heather Raymond, Nicholas Basta, Jason Hartschuh, Dee Jepsen, Kent McGuire, Maurice Eastridge, Michael Bisesi (vice dean, College of Public Health), Eric Barrett, Sam Custer, and Adam Ward.

    I’m proud of the way the team organized and aligned itself with other resources within Ohio State, local and state governments, and other agencies. And how it never lost sight of the focus – helping the East Palestine community. I'm even more humbled at how their work in and on behalf of the affected area continues to present day – well beyond the immediate crisis response.

    While events like this are not typical in our day-to-day work, they are reminders of how much Ohioans rely on the resources we make accessible to them.

    My challenge to you is this – keep focused on the tasks at hand, but don’t forget to acknowledge the work you’ve done and the lives you’ve impacted through your work as an Extension professional.

    Thanks for all the big and little impacts you have on those you serve – David

  2. CFAES Farm Bill Summit Planned — Feb. 23

    Join agricultural professionals – from CFAES, USDA, the private sector, and more – for a Farm Bill Summit on Feb. 23 (1-3:30 p.m.) at the Fawcett Center in Columbus. Industry leaders will explain how funds are allocated for various crucial aspects of agriculture, nutrition, conservation efforts, natural resource protection, and support systems across the nation. Learn more about the summit and register for it here. 

  3. Rural Population Research Network Listening Sessions Planned

    The Rural Population Research Network (RPRN) is leading an effort to identify the issues that diverse rural stakeholders see as top priorities for understanding population change. Extension professionals who work with rural audiences are encouraged to participate in a one-hour listening session on challenges and opportunities related to population change. Session topics, dates, and times are as follows:

    • Feb. 8 (11 a.m.) — Agriculture and Food Systems

    • Feb. 15 (11 a.m.) — Community and Economic Development

    • Feb. 22 (11 a.m.) — Environment and Natural Resources

    • Feb. 29 (11 a.m.) — Health, Health Care, and Disability Services

    Click here to register for the listening sessions.

  4. Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing – March 12 and April 23

    A Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing workshop will be held March 12 and April 23 (9 a.m.-4 p.m. both days) at the OSU Extension office in Defiance County. Attendees will learn about the grant-writing process – including documents to prepare before starting the writing process, grant proposal components, finding and connecting with funders, and writing and finalizing a proposal. Melissa Rupp and Kyle White are teaching the sessions. For more information, visit go.osu.edu/DefianceGrant. Note: Registration for this workshop is capped at 15.

  5. NACAA Agricultural Awareness and Appreciation Award Applications – Due March 15

    The National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) is accepting applications for its Agricultural Awareness and Appreciation Award. This award recognizes NACAA members or teams for their work in improving the understanding of agriculture in their communities through public relations. Applications are due March 15, and more information can be found here.

  6. Name Badge Order Process and Format Update

    As of Jan. 1, 2024, OSU Extension is using an updated procedure for ordering name badges for new and current employees. You no longer need to contact Dawnn Brown in the Extension director’s office to order a new or replacement name badge. 

    New Employees 
    The Extension Operations team is now ordering name badges for new employees – which will be delivered to each employee’s office location by or shortly after their start date.

    Format Update 
    Both new and replacement name badges will now be ordered via UniPrint, using the Extension mark. All name badges ordered after this point will use the updated format.

    We will continue to use employee name only on our name badges, per previous administrative decision and current practice. Name badges will not include county name, department, or position title. This is a purposeful style decision designed to encourage conversation among employees and others about one’s role with Extension, your location, etc. This also saves significantly on reprint costs if/when an employee changes position and location within Extension.

    Current Employees
    Replacement name badges for established employees can be ordered by the employee’s home unit via UniPrint (using the individual’s unit or program funds). The cost is $12 per badge. When you order a name badge, select “White, black text”, choose “Extension” for the Logo, and then complete the Name field as well. Again, please do not add title or county/unit (although you will see those fields on the UniPrint order form).

    When you get to the Finalize section of the order form, select the white finish option (not brushed aluminum). Note: the UniPrint order will need to be accompanied with a catalog requisition through Workday to finalize the purchase. If you have questions about ordering a name badge, please contact the Operations team. The result should look like the example below.

  7. New Employee Onboarding and Mentoring Spring Schedule

    All Extension professionals who were hired after Sept. 4, 2023, are required to complete the Onboard. Network. Excel. (O.N.E.) program led by the Learning and Organizational Development unit this spring. The onboarding program has been designed to provide all new employees with the necessary tools and resources to succeed in OSU Extension. 

    The 2024 spring O.N.E. cohort will begin March 5 at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. To register for the spring cohort, all new hires need to complete this survey (go.osu.edu/newhiresurvey). The survey also signs up a new employee to be matched with a mentor in the M.I.N.E. program. 

    New employees are also encouraged to participate in the Mentor. Impact. Network. Excel. (M.I.N.E.) program. This program provides opportunities to connect with experienced mentors, peers, and resources within Extension and the university. 

    Mentors needed. Also, to keep up with the demand for mentors, the M.I.N.E. program is looking for experienced Extension employees to serve as mentors. LOD will offer introductory training for those interested in becoming a mentor to new hires. The next mentoring training will be held on Feb. 13 (1 p.m.), and more sessions will be available throughout the year. To attend the upcoming session, register at osu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMpduqqrz8tHt1IipUovnvmArgAjrgH4JxS#/registration.  

    Visit the Learning & Organizational Development unit’s website to learn more about both the O.N.E. and M.I.N.E. programs at lod.cfaes.ohio-state.edu/career-development.

  8. New Extension Data Portal Officially Replaces Vita

    The Engage: Extension Data Portal officially replaced Vita on Jan. 31. Starting Feb. 28 at 9 a.m., LOD will offer Extension Data Portal office hours on the fourth Wednesday of each month. You must register to attend office hours. The link to register will not change; simply select the month/session you wish to attend using this registration link: go.osu.edu/Engage-EDP-OfficeHours.

  9. Grant Development Support Unit Assists with Grant Submissions

    The Grant Development Support Unit (GDSU) in the CFAES Office for Research and Graduate Education offers a free service to assist Extension professionals with grant submissions. Services available include compiling the peripheral documents and assuring they conform to funding guidelines, providing budget assistance, uploading documents to the submission platform, and coordinating the whole process with your assigned Sponsored Program Officer (SPO). To request assistance from the GDSU, visit research.cfaes.ohio-state.edu. Click on the “Request Services” button on the right-hand side of the page.

  10. EPN Breakfast – Feb. 13

    Join the Environmental Professionals Network (EPN) for its next breakfast program on Feb. 13 (7:15 a.m.-12 p.m.) at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. The program, Yellowstone to Yukon: Enhancing Rocky Mountain animal migration through remote sensing and international collaboration, will be the featured talk during the event. Click here for more information or to register. 

  11. Outdoor Safety Professional Development Day – Feb. 15

    The February FCS Professional Development Day on Feb. 15 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.) will focus on outdoor safety. Extension professionals from all program areas are welcome to participate. Topics will include sun safety, heat safety, DermaScan training, and more. This is an in-person event, but a Zoom option will be available for the morning speakers. For more information, contact Laura Stanton.

  12. Virtual Volunteer Engagement Conference – Feb. 22

    All Extension professionals who work with volunteers are invited to a Virtual Volunteer Conference on Feb. 22 (9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.). Join John Maxwell, a certified coach, speaker, and trainer, for a talk on the topic of appreciation. Contact Pam Bennett or Jen Andon for more information and to be notified when registration information is available.

  13. GlobalOHIO Immersion Learning Tour – May 2 and 3

    The JCEP Global Relations Committee is offering a GlobalOHIO Immersion Learning Tour May 2-3 to Cleveland. The goal of this two-day experience is to bring Extension professionals from all program areas together to engage with culturally diverse communities throughout Ohio (transportation will be provided from the Franklin County OSU Extension Office and the Wooster Campus). Email Steve Brady for more information. Deadline to apply is Feb. 16. Trip applications will be emailed upon request. 

  14. CFAES Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Offers Workshops

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

     

    Visit cfaesdei.osu.edu/workshopsprograms/dei-workshops to learn more about all CFAES DEI programs. 

  15. Your Plan for Health Events Calendar

    Ohio State’s Your Plan for Heath offers a comprehensive list of classes – including physical activity (virtual and in-person), webinars, group health coaching, and more to all employees. To learn about the classes offered in February, visit yp4https://yp4h.osu.edu/events/.