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News and Notes: January 31, 2025

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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.  

In This Issue:

Leadership Notes

  1. A Note from David Civittolo
  2. National Search Launched for 4-H Youth Development and Agriculture and Natural Resources Assistant Directors

College Connections

  1. New Online Course for Natural Resources Professionals and Volunteers

Programming Perspectives

  1. Integrating Farmer Needs into Childcare Solutions Workshop – Feb. 6
  2. South Centers Announces Ohio Berry Production Series – Feb. 20
  3. Northern Ohio Vegetable Grower Winter Meeting – March 4
  4. East Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference – March 21

Operations/Business of Extension

  1. Minding the Brand: Marketing and Communications Virtual Office Hours
  2. Inclement Weather and Office Closure Procedures

Celebrating Colleagues

  1. Extension Professionals Earn Faculty Rank
  2. Recognizing Service to Ohio State

Professional Development Opportunities

  1. Spring 2025 New Employee Orientation and Mentoring Program Registration Now Open
  2. 2025 Ohio 4-H Conference Registration Now Open – March 8
  3. Research Skills Workshops – Feb. 5 and 12

Health and Wellness

  1. Staying Active During the Winter Months

  1. A Note from David Civittolo

    As many of you know, January has been an exceptionally busy month for our leadership team as we focus on regrouping and planning for 2025. You’ve already received several updates from me this week, including the assistant director search announcement and the communication survey results. We also hope to share an update from the Extension Management Structure Task Force soon about our process to date. 

    I know many of you are in the thick of winter programming—whether it’s conferences, workshop planning, pesticide recertification trainings, or preparing for Ohio 4-H enrollment. There’s never a slow season for the work we do at large. As you wrap up the month, please remember to capture all of your programming for the month in Engage! This reporting portal is crucial in helping us capture the impact Extension has on the communities we serve individually and as a collective effort. 

    Hope you all have a great weekend, David  

     

  2. National Search Launched for 4-H Youth Development and Agriculture and Natural Resources Assistant Directors

    The searches for the next 4-H Youth Development and Agriculture and Natural Resources assistant directors are now open.  

    The Assistant Director for 4-H Youth Development position is posted at go.osu.edu/ohio4had. 

    The assistant director and state 4-H leader provides overall direction and administrative leadership for 4-H Youth Development programming throughout the state of Ohio. The 4-H assistant director reports to the director of OSU Extension and serves as a member of the Extension Administrative Cabinet. 

    Please share this announcement with qualified individuals who may be interested in applying for this position. Initial consideration will be given to applications received by Feb. 28, 2025. Review of applications will continue until the position has been filled. 

    Refer to the posting for additional information and application instructions. Informal inquiries can be made by contacting the 4-H search committee chair, Jason Hedrick, at 419-523-6294.

    The Assistant Director for Agriculture and Natural Resources position is now posted at: go.osu.edu/agandnaturalresourcesad. 

    The assistant director provides overall direction and administrative leadership for Agriculture and Natural Resources programming throughout the state of Ohio. The assistant director reports to the director of OSU Extension and serves as a member of the Extension Administrative Cabinet. 

    Please share this announcement with qualified individuals who may be interested in applying for this position. Initial consideration will be given to applications received by Feb. 28, 2025. Review of applications will continue until the position has been filled. 

    Refer to the posting for additional information and application instructions. Informal inquiries can be made by contacting the ANR search committee chair, Wm. Bruce Clevenger, at 419-770-6137.

  3. New Online Course for Natural Resources Professionals and Volunteers

    The School of Environment and Natural Resources has launched a brand-new course called Weather, Climate, and Climate Change for Ohio’s environmental and natural resources professionals and volunteers. The course will run Feb. 18 through March 28. Learn more about the self-paced course here.

  4. Integrating Farmer Needs into Childcare Solutions Workshop – Feb. 6

    Join Shoshanah Inwood for an interactive workshop that focuses on including farmer needs in solutions for childcare. The virtual workshop will be held Feb. 6 (11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.), and registration is required. Learn more and register here.

  5. South Centers Announces Ohio Berry Production Series – Feb. 20

    South Centers is offering its Ohio Berry Production Series in a virtual format on Feb. 20. (9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.). The webinar will feature information for beginner and advanced growers and will focus on techniques to maximize berry production and quality. More information is available here.

  6. Northern Ohio Vegetable Grower Winter Meeting – March 4

    Join Extension faculty and staff for the annual Northern Ohio Vegetable Grower Winter Meeting on March 4 (9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.) in Fremont, Ohio. Some of the topics for the day include weed control in sweet corn and pumpkins, high tunnel production, potato varieties, tomato disease management, water quality, and cover crops for weed control. Learn more and register here.

  7. East Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference – March 21

    The annual East Ohio Women in Agriculture (WIA) Conference will be held March 21 (9 a.m.-4 p.m.) in Wooster. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the conference, and the planning committee is diligently organizing the biggest WIA conference to date. Visit the conference website for more information. 

    Also, don’t forget, the Women in Ag team will begin its monthly webinars on Feb. 5 (10:30 a.m.). February’s topic will be Beating the Winter Blues. More information is available at go.osu.edu/wiawednesdaywebinars2025. 

  8. Minding the Brand: Marketing and Communications Virtual Office Hours

    As we move into 2025, we’re eager to continue expanding the marketing and communication resources available to you, our statewide Extension team. One of these resources is monthly virtual office hours. The first one will be Feb. 5 (1:30-2:30 p.m.) in Teams.

    These sessions will feature two main components:

    1. Marketing Tip of the Month – a brief discussion on a specific marketing or communications strategy to help enhance our collective efforts. 

    1. Open Q&A – a chance to ask questions, share ideas, or seek advice on any marketing and communications project(s) you're involved with. 

    The first session will focus on the approval process when ordering merchandise and apparel, purchasing ads, and more. We hope these sessions will serve as a valuable opportunity to collaborate, share knowledge, and find new ways to strengthen our outreach.

  9. Inclement Weather and Office Closure Procedures

    County offices need to have a proactive plan to keep county offices open during severe weather. Here are a few things to keep in mind:  

    1. Offices can be closed in the following situations:  
    • Level 3 snow emergency  
    • Commissioners close county offices 
    • Building owner closes the building and staff are not allowed to be on site.

    2. In the above cases when offices are physically closed, employees are expected to work virtually.  

    • If an employee lives or travels through a county that is under a Level 3 snow emergency, but their office is located in a county not under a Level 3 and the county commissioners/building owners have not closed the building, and the employee chooses not to report to work or to work remotely, then that employee is required to take vacation or compensatory time. Details of these arrangements need to be determined by the employee and their immediate supervisor before the need arises. 

    3. Employees are encouraged to use their own best judgment in deciding whether to risk driving to the office in Level 1 or Level 2 snow emergencies. They cannot be forced to come to work; however, if the office is open and they choose not to report to work and do not work remotely, then they are required to take vacation or compensatory time. Details of these arrangements need to be determined by the employee and his or her immediate supervisor before the need arises.

    4. In the above situations, if employees cannot work virtually, the short-term closure option needs to be turned on for Workday timesheets.

    • It takes a few days to turn on the short-term closure option.
    • Employees should report their need for the short-term closure option to their supervisor. 

    5. Operations and facilities stewards are required to report to their area leader if the county is under a Level 3 snow emergency and/or if the county commissioners/building owners close the building where their office is located.

    6. Operations and facilities stewards and area leaders may not close the office unless the above conditions are met for snow and/or severe weather emergencies and the closing is approved by the director of Operations.  

    Please connect with your supervisor, Megan Arnold (arnold.276@osu.edu) or Lindsey Latscha (latscha.1@osu.edu) if you have any questions. 

  10. Extension Professionals Earn Faculty Rank

    Congratulations to the following Extension educators who recently earned faculty appointments as assistant professors. 

    • Amanda Bennett 

    • Shannon Carter 

    • Ashley Kulhanek 

    • Kathy Tutt 

    • John Yost 

    Thank you for your dedication to your communities, your program areas, and the land-grant mission at large. 

  11. Recognizing Service to Ohio State

    At the end of last year, the university recognized some of our Extension faculty and staff for their years of service to Ohio State and others for their service on the University Senate.  

    YEARS OF SERVICE: In December, the university hosted its annual Faculty and Staff Service Recognition Luncheon. Congratulations to the following Extension professionals who reached the respective years of service milestones in their careers: 

    • 25 Years of Service: Nancy Bowen-Ellzey, Cheryl Goodrich, Kim Hoppes, Lisa McCutcheon, Patrice Powers-Barker, and Amanda Staley  
    • 30 Years of Service: Astra Armstrong, Becky Barker, Chris Bruynis, Renee Clark, Craig Everett, Gary Gao, Pat Holmes, Cheryl Kleckner, Greg Meyer, Nancy Snook, and Treva Williams
    • 35 Years of Service: Myra Moss, Connie Smith, and Bruce Zimmer 
    • 40 Years of Service: Judy Villard   
    • 45 Years of Service: Betty Wingerter 

    UNIVERSITY SENATE: Across the university, there are 141 faculty, staff, students, and administrators who serve on the University Senate, some as senators and others as committee members. Their main charge is to advise university leaders on important educational and academic policy concerns. Thank you to the following Extension professionals for their service on the University Senate during the 2024-2025 academic year. 

    Gary Gao, Mike Hogan, Andrew Londo, Joe Lucente, Judy Villard, Travis West, Jacqueline Wilkins, and Chris Zoller 

    Congratulations and thank you for your service to Ohio State. It is an honor to serve Ohioans alongside each of you at this great land-grant university. 

  12. Spring 2025 New Employee Orientation and Mentoring Program Registration Now Open

    Learning and Organizational Development (LOD) conducts two required programs — Onboard. Network. Excel. (O.N.E.) orientation and the Mentor. Impact. Network. Excel. (M.I.N.E.) program— for all new Extension employees to help them learn about the organization and get acclimated to their new roles. 

    All new hires need to complete the new hire survey to register for O.N.E. orientation and the M.I.N.E. program at go.osu.edu/newhiresurvey.  

    All Extension professionals who were hired after Sept. 3, 2024 are required to complete O.N.E. orientation this spring. 

    The onboarding program was designed to provide all new employees with the necessary tools and resources to succeed in Extension. note: Community Nutrition program employees will participate in the Navigating for Success program in lieu of O.N.E. orientation.  

    The 2025 spring O.N.E. orientation cohort will begin March 4 at the Longaberger Alumni House in Columbus and will run for eight weeks. Three sessions will be held in person on the Columbus campus, and five sessions will be held virtually. 

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

    Visit LOD's website to learn more about O.N.E. orientation and the M.I.N.E. program. Any questions about O.N.E. or M.I.N.E. can be directed to Diane Mashburn (mashburn.10@osu.edu), ShaLise Simmons (simmons.761@osu.edu), or Christina Vail (vail.80@osu.edu). 

    Registration is now open for the first new M.I.N.E. Mentor Trainings of 2025: Mentors are invaluable resources for a new employee as they learn to navigate not only their position, but the Extension organization at large. The M.I.N.E. Program is built to support all new employees in their first year by providing them with an experienced Extension mentor in a similar position to theirs.  

    Interested in becoming a M.I.N.E. mentor? The M.I.N.E. program is looking for experienced Extension employees to serve as mentors. LOD will offer introduction sessions for those interested in learning about becoming a mentor to new hires. The next mentoring trainings for 2025 will be on Feb. 20 and March 26 (10 a.m.), with more sessions being offered throughout the year. You only have to attend one Zoom session to get started. 

    To learn more about becoming a M.I.N.E. program mentor and to register for one of the upcoming sessions, click here. 

    Any questions about O.N.E. or M.I.N.E. can be directed to Diane Mashburn (mashburn.10@osu.edu), ShaLise Simmons (simmons.761@osu.edu), or Christina Vail (vail.80@osu.edu). 

  13. 2025 Ohio 4-H Conference Registration Now Open – March 8

    Registration for the Ohio 4-H Conference is now open. Ohio 4-H professionals and special guests who are not registered in 4-H Online can register here. The deadline to register is Feb. 7. 

     

  14. Research Skills Workshops – Feb. 5 and 12

    The Wooster Campus Research Library is hosting two virtual workshops that will focus on sharpening research skills. The details are as follows: 

  15. Staying Active During the Winter Months

    Making time to be active during the winter months can be a challenge, but it is important to overall health. Extension’s Live Health Live Well Team shared some tips on staying active during the winter months in a recent blog post.