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News and Notes: March 15, 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 Awards Ceremony and State of the College Address – April 5
  2. Carbon Academy Workshop – April 10
  3. OSP and CFAES Office for Research and Graduate Education Hold Office Hours

Campus Connections/Partnerships

  1. Explore Connect Collab to be held at OSU Piketon – June 25

Community Connections

  1. WIRED Conference to Feature Temple Grandin
  2. Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network Seeks Volunteers
  3. Ohio Pawpaw Conference – May 18
  4. 2024 Urban Food Systems Symposium – June 11-13

Programming Perspectives

  1. Ohio Farm Resolution Services
  2. Southern Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference – April 4
  3. Small Farm Conference — April 6
  4. Southwest Ohio Perennial School — April 11

Tech Updates

  1. osuwireless Will Retire Soon

Celebrating Colleagues

  1. National Farm Ranch Safety Leader’s Guide Recently Published

Professional Development Opportunities

  1. 2024 4-H Yoga Training Registration Live – March 27
  2. Growing Teachers Throughout the Season Training – April 2 and 3
  3. Suicide Prevention Training Offered through REACH© – April 24
  4. Cultural Immersion Project for 4-H Professionals
  5. National Extension Conference on Volunteerism Accepting Proposals for 2025 Conference

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

  1. CFAES Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Offers Workshops
  2. CFAES DEI Speaker Series Announced

Health and Wellness

  1. Lifestyle Spending Account – Due April 15

  1. Note from David Civittolo

    The longer days and warmer temps we’ve been having are reminders that spring is coming. 4-H professionals are helping organize clubs and camps. Our ag and natural resources professionals are supporting farmers who are busy tending to new life in pastures and barns. Our community development experts just finalized the annual IMPLAN reports, and our FCS folks are doing everything they can to help their clients shake off those winter blues. 

    We’re always on the go, aren’t we? But that is the nature of our work — it moves with the seasons. Here’s hoping the spring brings you a fresh wave of energy and inspiration.

    Best, David

  2. CFAES Awards Ceremony and State of the College Address – April 5

    The CFAES Awards Ceremony will be held on April 5, followed by Dean Kress’s State of the College address. The events will be in-person on the Columbus campus in the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. A watch party will be held on the Wooster campus, and a live-streaming option will be available. If you plan to attend in person or attend the watch party, RSVP here by March 22.

  3. Carbon Academy Workshop – April 10

    The Lal Carbon Center will host an in-person Carbon Academy for Extension professionals on April 10 (9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.). The workshop will feature several guest speakers, including a welcome message by Chris Zoller, and presentations from C-FARM Co-PIs Ross Bricklemyer, Matthew Hamilton, Rattan Lal, Klaus Lorenz, Asmita Murumkar, and Roger Williams. The workshop will also feature an interactive panel presentation moderated by Elizabeth Hawkins and Mike Estadt. There will also be a demonstration of greenhouse gas measurement in soil and a tour of the long-term plots with Klaus Lorenz at the workshop's conclusion (both are optional). Learn more and register here.

  4. OSP and CFAES Office for Research and Graduate Education Hold Office Hours

    The Office of Sponsored Programs and the CFAES Office for Research and Graduate Education provide scheduled office hours tailored to Extension professionals every week. These sessions aim to provide guidance and support for grant-related inquiries, spanning from proposal submission to the epa-005 process, and encompassing award management. Extension Sponsored Program Officers (SPO), Extension Cost Center Managers and staff from the Grant Development Support Unit are in attendance to address questions.  

    Office hours are on various days of the week, but all sessions are from 1-2 p.m. and are offered in fifteen-minute time slots. Appointments are scheduled through Picktime.

  5. Explore Connect Collab to be held at OSU Piketon – June 25

    OSU South Centers in Piketon will host an Explore Connect Collab event on June 25. Participants will learn more about and interact with research and Extension programs including aquaculture and aquaponics small business development, specialty crops, soil, water, and bioenergy, direct food and agricultural marketing, manufacturing, cooperative business models, and food and nutrition. More details and registration information will be shared in the weeks to come.

  6. WIRED Conference to Feature Temple Grandin

    Women in Ranching Education and Development (WIRED) will host a hands-on educational workshop on April 6 (7:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m.) at Ohio State ATI, with Temple Grandin as the keynote speaker. The workshop is tailored to the specific needs of women who are engaged in cattle production and the beef industry. Ohio State ATI and OSU Extension are collaborating with the American National CattleWomen and Ohio CattleWomen to bring WIRED to Ohio. Each WIRED program features sessions by leading industry and local and regional experts on topics related to producing, working, and living with cattle. Some of the demonstrations and hands-on learning opportunities will include chute side manners, injections, implants and vaccinations, calving simulator, grazing management, and tractor and equipment basics. Learn more and register at ancw.org/event-5580441. The registration deadline is March 25.

  7. Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network Seeks Volunteers

    The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS ) is a program the National Weather Service (NWS) and others support through education, outreach, and promotion to potential volunteers. In the past, Extension offices and associated groups been involved with CoCoRaHS. To learn more about the required training, visit CoCoRaHS.org. Anyone interested in this volunteer opportunity can attend a virtual training on March 18 (12-1 p.m. or 6-7 p.m.) or March 26 (7-8 p.m.). Information on the Webinars can be found here. Contact Ashley Novak with the National Weather Service in Wilmington Ashley.Novak@noaa.gov for more information. 

  8. Ohio Pawpaw Conference – May 18

    Join pawpaw enthusiasts on May 18 in Wooster for the Ohio Pawpaw Conference. OSU Extension and the North American Pawpaw Growers Association are organizing the event that will feature cooking demonstrations, a grower panel, orchard tour, and more. Visit go.osu.edu/pawpaw2024 to learn more.

  9. 2024 Urban Food Systems Symposium – June 11-13

    The 2024 Urban Foods Systems Symposium will be June 11-13 in Columbus. The event will attract an international audience and will feature keynote speakers, a grower panel, presentations, educational tours, and more. Visit the symposium’s official website for additional information at urbanfoodsystemssymposium.org.

  10. Ohio Farm Resolution Services

    Ohio Farm Resolution Services (OFRS) is now available through Extension’s Agricultural and Resource Law Program. This resource team offers Ohio families with the following: educational resources on Ohio farm conflict issues, conflict resolution and consultation services by Extension’s legal and farm management specialists, and formal mediation services by trained mediators. Learn more about this new service here. 

  11. Southern Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference – April 4

    Anyone interested in supporting women in agriculture should plan to attend the Southern Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference on April 4 (9 a.m. -3:30 p.m.) in Chillicothe. There will be six sessions with a variety of topics including communication, PPE, transition planning, and ag law for home-based businesses. Learn more and register at go.osu.edu/womeninagconf.

  12. Small Farm Conference — April 6

    The Small Farm Team will host its annual Small Farm Conference on April 6 at the Mid-East Career Technical Center (Buffalo Campus) in southeastern Ohio. The day will feature a conference and trade show. The conference portion will feature five tracks – horticulture and produce production, business management, livestock, natural resources, and the farm kitchen. Visit go.osu.edu/2024osusmallfarmconference for more information. The registration deadline is March 28.

  13. Southwest Ohio Perennial School — April 11

    The OSU Extension Office in Clermont County will host the 30th annual Southwest Ohio Perennial School on April 11. The event will feature educational presentations and a tradeshow. Visit go.osu.edu/swohperennial24 to learn more and to download a registration form.

  14. osuwireless Will Retire Soon

    Ohio State is transitioning to eduroam as the primary secure network for Ohio State students, faculty and staff, with osuwireless retiring in summer 2024. Connect to eduroam by visiting wireless.osu.edu and selecting Connect to eduroam. By switching to eduroam, you will avoid reconfiguring your Wi-Fi connection every time you update your Ohio State password and remain connected to eduroam when you visit participating institutions around the world. Access detailed instructions for connecting to eduroam in the Administrative Resource Center.

  15. National Farm Ranch Safety Leader’s Guide Recently Published

    OSU Extension now has a new comprehensive guide to farm and ranch safety. The National Farm and Ranch Safety Leader’s Guide is now available through Extension Publishing. The guide provides in-depth background information, images, and hands-on activities for teaching youth ages 8 to 18. The guide can be purchased here.

  16. 2024 4-H Yoga Training Registration Live – March 27

    There will be an in-person training session on March 27 at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center for any Extension professional or volunteer (teen or adult) who wants to be trained in 4-H Yoga. For more information about the 4-H Yoga program in Ohio, visit ohio4h.org/intranet/healthy-living#Yoga.

  17. Growing Teachers Throughout the Season Training – April 2 and 3

    Growing Teachers Throughout the Season (GTS) is a school gardening curriculum that is the result of a partnership between OSU Extension and Columbus City Schools. Any Extension professional interested in being trained in this curriculum for local implementation should plan to attend a workshop on April 2 or April 3 at the OSU Extension office in Franklin County. The training will be a hands-on experience that will introduce participants to the GTS curriculum that focuses on indoor seed starting, outdoor raised beds, and hydroponics. Learn more about the training here.

  18. Suicide Prevention Training Offered through REACH© – April 24

    REACH© is Ohio State’s suicide prevention in-person gatekeeper training program designed to help members of the OSU community prevent suicide. There will be a REACH© training for Extension professionals on April 24 (10 a.m.-noon) at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. For more details and information about the REACH© training, visit ohio4h.org/intranet/healthy-living.

  19. Cultural Immersion Project for 4-H Professionals

    There will be a cultural immersion project in Puerto Rico for 4-H professionals Dec. 2-9, 2024. All 4-H educators with at least three years of experience with OSU Extension (by trip date) are eligible to participate. Learn more at go.osu.edu/24cip. The deadline to apply is April 18.

  20. National Extension Conference on Volunteerism Accepting Proposals for 2025 Conference

    The National Extension Conference on Volunteerism Planning Committee is seeking workshop, research session, poster, and lightning talk proposals for presentations at its 2025 conference to be held April 22–24, 2025 in Portland, Maine. Individuals and teams with information that would be of interest to conference participants are encouraged to submit proposals online no later than 11:59 pm PDT on June 28, 2024. Notification of acceptance will be given by 11:59 pm PDT on Aug. 15, 2024. Full Conference details are posted at extension.umaine.edu/necv/.

  21. 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 include:

  22. CFAES DEI Speaker Series Announced

    Save the dates for the 2024 CFAES DEI Speaker Series, which kicks off March 21 (12-1:15 p.m.). The series will feature the following speakers and topics.

    Learn more and register here. 

  23. Lifestyle Spending Account – Due April 15

    Ohio State’s Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) reimburses employees up to $125 per quarter for eligible expenses related to health, fitness, family, emotional, and social wellness. The first quarter ends March 31.  Employees have until April 15 to submit reimbursement request documentation for eligible expenses incurred Jan. 1, 2024 through March 31, 2024. Unused LSA funds do not carry over to the following quarter. To submit a claim for reimbursement, log into Workday and navigate to the Benefits and Pay Hub from the main menu. From here, select My FSA/HRA/LSA under selected links and follow the instructions.