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News and Notes: May 26, 2023

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. Thoughts from the Director
  2. Assistant Director, Community Development Seminar Recording and Feedback Request

College Connections

  1. CFAES Teaching and Learning Symposium to be Held on Aug. 15
  2. Save the Date for 2023 AEDE Fall Agricultural Policy & Outlook Conference on Nov. 13
  3. Ohio Fact Sheet Series Receives Award from American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers

Community Connections

  1. Ohio Hunger Dialogues to be Held on Sept. 8-9

Programming Perspectives

  1. Woodland Stewards Program Offers Maple Production Workshop on June 15

Tech Updates

  1. Wi-Fi Improvement at Ohio State: Phase Two of eduroam Project

Celebrating Colleagues

  1. JCEP Professional Development Scholarship Award Winners Announced
  2. Ohio Chapter of NAE4-HYDP Communicator and Specialty Award Winners Announced

Professional Development Opportunities

  1. OSU Leadership Center Offers June Workshops
  2. 2023 Summer Program in Population Health will be Held on June 26-29

Extension Annual Conference

  1. Save the Date in November for OSU Extension Regional Conversations

Health and Wellness

  1. Mental Health Awareness and Well-being Town Hall – Resources Shared
  2. USDA Mental Health Awareness Month Workshop Series Continues Through June 6
  3. May Buckeye Wellness Tip: Stroke Awareness Month
  4. OSU Extension Professionals Offer Workshop on Nature and YOU – June 1

  1. Thoughts from the Director

    Friends --- Memorial Day is upon us, and I would like to recognize the sacrifices made by those who have served and lost their lives in the performance of their military duties. A special thank you goes out to those in our own ranks who are serving our country through the armed forces and national guard. I strongly encourage you to make time in the coming days and weeks to enjoy time with family and friends, enjoy the sunshine and signs of new life everywhere in Ohio, and make time to completely unplug and refuel.

    I want to provide some important updates:

    • Interviews. The interviews to fill the assistant director, Community Development position were completed yesterday. I thank everyone who participated and provided input to the search committee, chaired by Pat Bebo. See information in an article below about providing additional feedback.
    • Search Committee (associate chair). The search committee for the assistant dean and associate chair position, led by Greg LaBarge, met this week to launch an internal search. Dr. Greg Davis will step back into a faculty role after he completes his term on July 31. More on this in the coming weeks; and be on the lookout for application information soon.
    • Search Committee (assistant director, Agriculture and Natural Resources). The search committee, chaired by Elizabeth Hawkins, has reviewed applications and identified candidates to invite to the Columbus campus for interviews in June. The candidate seminars will be held on June 16, June 21, and June 22. The seminars will have Zoom options, and they will be recorded and shared.
    • Taking Action. I shared the Enterprise Trust Index initial results with all of you recently, and I promised that leadership would move on the findings. Since then, both Extension Cabinet and our Extension Leadership Team have met and spent significant time reviewing the information and identifying the top three priorities to build out our first 90-day action plans. Information about these plans will be shared during our June 13 director’s video. Your feedback was heard, and we are listening. We look forward to making key progress to address areas we can improve and for which we have control.
    • Advocacy on Compression and Equity. For areas where we do not have control, such as compression and equity and pay rates at the university, we will continue to advocate for positive forward movement. As such, I am happy to report that after the university eventually allowed the submission of compression and equity plans (January 6, 2023), following the implementation of Career Roadmap, we have been actively and expeditiously providing every level of detail, rationale, adjustment, and data point requested. Our plan is currently under review at the university level. The university is a large entity, and there are hundreds of requests under review by the Office of Human Resources’ compensation team. Extension is not the only unit under consideration; and again, we ask for patience during this process. If we had the control to pull the lever, I can assure you, we would have done so much earlier. However, we don’t control the process, the pace, and the final determination of wages. We will keep you updated and share details when they are available.

    Thank you again for your dedication to the Extension mission, your positive representation of our organization throughout the state, and your passion for serving the people of Ohio along with your colleagues.

    Have a wonderful holiday weekend, Jackie

  2. Assistant Director, Community Development Seminar Recording and Feedback Request

    -per Pat Bebo, assistant director, Family and Consumer Sciences

    Thank you to those who joined the presentation in-person and online by David Civittolo, candidate for the assistant director, Community Development. David presented his vision for the Extension Community Development program in Ohio, as well as an overview of the work of CD. This would be an informative presentation for all to view. After viewing the presentation, please complete the anonymous Qualtrics survey to provide feedback to the committee. Responses will be collected through Wednesday, May 31. Thank you for your attention, time, and feedback to this important process. If you have any questions, email Pat at bebo.1@osu.edu.

  3. CFAES Teaching and Learning Symposium to be Held on Aug. 15

    Reminder: All members of the CFAES teaching community are encouraged to participate in this symposium on Aug. 15 (9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.). Registration for members of the CFAES community is free, because this is a college-sponsored activity. We will be Re-imagining our Culture of Learning: Keeping the Best, Leaving the Rest. Explore concepts, ideas, and examples of teaching excellence and innovation. Learn more and register at go.osu.edu/CFAES_2023-TLSymposium.

  4. Save the Date for 2023 AEDE Fall Agricultural Policy & Outlook Conference on Nov. 13

    The Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics’ fall outlook meeting will be held on Nov. 13 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 pm.at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. More information will be available soon.

  5. Ohio Fact Sheet Series Receives Award from American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers

    The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) has recognized a series of six fact sheets on Efficient Application of Pesticides in Orchards and Vineyards with a 2023 Educational Aids Blue Ribbon Award. The fact sheets were written by Erdal Ozkan, professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering.

    Dr. Ozkan also credits several members of the OSU Extension Publishing team with excellent editing, page design, and production that enhanced the content he provided to create these fact sheets to the high quality capable of receiving a very competitive national award. Dr. Ozkan will accept this award at the ASABE annual international meeting in mid-July.

  6. Ohio Hunger Dialogues to be Held on Sept. 8-9

    The Ohio Hunger Dialogue is a statewide conference focused on the issues of hunger in the local and global communities. The conference is open to the general public; and it will be held on Sept. 8-9 at Bowling Green State University. All stakeholders interested in addressing hunger and food insecurity in Ohio (and bordering states) are welcome to attend. Attendees will engage in conversations to share knowledge and insights, and to collaborate on best practices and solutions around the systematic issues of hunger and food insecurity in Ohio communities. On Sept. 8, the topics will focus on research, evaluation, professional practice, and policy with an emphasis on faculty, staff, and community audiences. On Sept. 9, the conference will create spaces for students, activists, and community-based practitioners to share best practices, program examples, and creative ideas. Learn more online.

  7. Woodland Stewards Program Offers Maple Production Workshop on June 15

    Woodland owners often are looking for a way to generate an income from their woodland while keeping the trees intact. This class will explore the opportunity for annual income from maple production. It will be held at The Holden Arboretum Working Woods on June 15 (9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.). Register for this workshop and upcoming webinars at woodlandstewards.osu.edu.

  8. Wi-Fi Improvement at Ohio State: Phase Two of eduroam Project

    The university is moving to eduroam and device-based authentication for Wi-Fi, with osuwireless set to retire in summer 2024. In Phase two of this project, those whose devices are managed by the Office of Technology and Digital Innovation (OTDI) have received or will receive email communication directly from OTDI to make them aware of when their device will transition to eduroam. Faculty, staff, and students also can now configure personal devices by visiting wireless.osu.edu and selecting “connect to eduroam.” For more information, visit it.osu.edu/news/2023/05/11/improving-wi-fi-ohio-state-phase-two-eduroam-project.

  9. JCEP Professional Development Scholarship Award Winners Announced

    The Ohio JCEP Scholarships, Grants, and Awards Committee congratulates all of the recipients of the Professional Development Scholarship Awards for the February 2023 (first) round. The winners are:

    • Carol Smathers, field specialist, youth nutrition and wellness, FCS state office ($750 for participation in the 4-H Global Summit)
    • Ted Wiseman, educator, agriculture and natural resources, Perry County ($750 for participation in the International Grassland Congress)
    • Laura Stanton, educator, family and consumer sciences, Warren County ($250 for participation in Inside Out International Conference)
    • Mackenzie Lowe, educator, 4-H youth development, Meigs County ($250 for participation in Real Colors Facilitator Training)
    • Sarah Longo, program coordinator, 4-H youth development, 4-H state office ($250 for participation in Real Colors Facilitator Training)
    • Steve Brady, educator, 4-H youth development, Warren County ($250 for participation in the Global Engagement Certificate Program)
    • Bruce Zimmer, educator, 4-H youth development, Washington County ($250 for participation in the National Extension Conference on Volunteerism)
    • Katie Cole, educator, 4-H youth development, Seneca County ($250 for participation in Real Colors Facilitator Training)

  10. Ohio Chapter of NAE4-HYDP Communicator and Specialty Award Winners Announced

    The Ohio chapter of the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4-HYDP) has announced the winners of the state communicator and specialty award contests. These winners will now be considered at the regional level. See the attached summary for the award winners and all team members.

  11. OSU Leadership Center Offers June Workshops

    Check out the ongoing list of workshops hosted by the Leadership Center. Learn more and register at leadershipcenter.osu.edu/events. Check out what is offered this month:

    • Managing Using Your Strengths (online) – June 1
    • Flex Your Leadership Style (online) – June 15

  12. 2023 Summer Program in Population Health will be Held on June 26-29

    The Summer Program in Population Health courses are focused on engaging those who work in state and local governmental public health, health care administration and practice, social work, mental and behavioral health, community health, and others invested in improving health outcomes and reducing disparities. Each course provides approximately 14 contact hours of content. All courses are held at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. For more information, visit u.osu.edu/cphp/summer-program.

  13. Save the Date in November for OSU Extension Regional Conversations

    -per Jacqueline Kirby Wilkins, associate dean and director, OSU Extension

    On behalf of the OSU Extension Administrative Cabinet, I want to invite you to attend one of five upcoming OSU Extension Regional Conversations in November. These meetings are an excellent opportunity for both learning and engagement with our colleagues. The full agenda and specific timing will be finalized by early fall; but plan for a full day of conversation and informal learning. Note: all OSU Extension employees are expected to attend. Offices have permission to close for the day if necessary. Registration will be open in late summer. There is no cost to participate, and lunch will be provided.

    The dates and locations are: Nov. 13 – Urbana; Nov. 14 – Piketon; Nov. 15 – Caldwell/Belle Valley; Nov. 16 – Wooster; Nov. 17 – Toledo

    These regional conversations offer a unique opportunity to engage in dialogue directly with Extension Administrative Cabinet members about topics of importance to our employees, receive training on key tools and resources, and compare notes with peers. We also will complete a civil rights update/training (which meets requirements for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA) with representatives from the Office of Institutional Equity.

    Reminder: The regional conversations will take the place of the Extension annual conference this year. The goal is to rotate annually the full annual conference and regional conferences, with JCEP professional development meetings and the JCEP annual awards and officer meeting held every year. Ohio JCEP (Joint Council of Extension Professionals) has announced a save-the-date for Dec. 4 for an awards celebration and meetings this year.

  14. Mental Health Awareness and Well-being Town Hall – Resources Shared

    Our most recent town hall, held earlier this week, focused on mental health and well-being in Extension. During this informal conversation, a representative from the Employee Assistance Program shared information about many resources available via EPA. Learn more in this summary about Mental Health Resources for Employees.

    Our colleagues also shared about mental health-related projects they are working on and some of the resources that are available for our employees and clientele. The attached Extension Mental Health Resources summary contains information that may be helpful for yourself or a client who asks about mental health resources or seems like they may need some support.

    Kudos again to our OSU Extension professionals who work to address mental health issues with our peers, colleagues, and community partners. There are many ways in which our teams help all Ohioans with these concerns. If you need other resources or additional information, contact Bridget Britton, Extension field specialist, behavioral health, at britton.191@osu.edu.

  15. USDA Mental Health Awareness Month Workshop Series Continues Through June 6

    The USDA Mental Health Awareness Month workshop series takes place on Tuesdays through June 6 (2-3:30 p.m. ET). The workshop series convenes farmers and ranchers; faith leaders; rural health providers; USDA employees; and federal, state, and university partners to dialogue and discuss mental health challenges, stressors, and the resources and services available to address them. Learn more and register at usda.gov/ocr/eia/fbnp.

  16. May Buckeye Wellness Tip: Stroke Awareness Month

    In the United States, someone dies of a stroke every 3 minutes. Receiving treatment within the first 3 hours following symptoms can greatly improve chances of recovery. Learn the signs of stroke: face drooping, numbness, or uneven smile; arm weakness or numbness; speech difficulty; and time to call 9-1-1 (FAST). Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading contributor to stroke, so know your numbers and schedule a biometric screening today. Learn more via this infographic from The Ohio State University Neurological Institute Comprehensive Stroke Center. The National Stroke Association offers tips and resources for consumers and health care providers at www.stroke.org.

  17. OSU Extension Professionals Offer Workshop on Nature and YOU – June 1

    Nature is amazing, but what happens when the human body goes into nature is even more remarkable. Join Extension educators and nature enthusiasts Shari Gallup and Laura Stanton, and enjoy learning the amazing benefits of the connection between nature and your well-being. Register for this workshop on June 1 (12-1 p.m.) online.