News and Notes: September 3, 2021

As announced by Ohio State President Johnson on Aug. 24, Ohio State is now requiring every student, faculty, and staff member to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The deadline to have at least a first dose is Oct. 15. For people receiving a two-dose vaccine, the second dose must be received by Nov. 15. The university will accept a number of vaccines to meet this requirement. Information about the vaccine requirement, reporting, exemptions, and FAQs is available at: safeandhealthy.osu.edu/covid-19-vaccine-requirement. You are encouraged to be patient and not make any quick decisions about your employment based on the initial requirement notices. More information and details about the exemption process will be forthcoming from the university.

4-H specific information via Kirk Bloir, state 4-H leader: The vaccination requirement applies only to Ohio State students, faculty, and staff. There is no current requirement that 4-H members or volunteers must have a COVID-19 vaccination. Also, the mask mandate continues to apply only to the Ohio State Columbus and regional campuses; however, given the increased number of cases and corresponding hospitalizations, we strongly encourage masks to be properly worn during all indoor 4-H activities and events where social distancing cannot be maintained. When a meal is included, we strongly encourage social distancing to the extent possible. Keep in mind that county and independent fairs (and the activities 4-H members and volunteers choose to participate in during fair) fall under the guidance of the local senior fair board; and they would be expected to follow the guidance of the local health department.

Dive into the complex web of processes, infrastructure, and activities we call The Food System. Strengthening our food system involves all of us. Explore each topic to review food’s journey from farms to our tables and learn about the latest research from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). Our researchers ask big questions. Their work addresses the challenging issues we face to feed a growing population. Visit kx.osu.edu/food-system-visualization to learn more.

Extension Today is a pilot project and new partnership of NBC4 WCMH-TV, OSU Extension, and CFAES. NBC4 is partnering with OSU Extension and the college to share viewer-focused stories about gardening, cooking, and other tips and resources for improving central Ohioans’ gardens, lives, families, and local communities. For the next six months, NBC4 will air a special Extension Today segment on Daytime Columbus each Wednesday, as well as on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Daytime Columbus is a locally-produced talk show which takes a closer look at area businesses, organizations, and resources available in central Ohio. After NBC4 also promotes the show on its Facebook page, OSU Extension will share a link to each video, as well as CFAES and Extension resources such as fact sheets, photos, connections with our specialists, etc. online. We will then promote the segments on social media as well.

Special thanks to Tim McDermott and Jenny Lobb, educators with the Franklin County office of OSU Extension, for hosting this new segment and partnering with numerous guests over the next few months. Current topics are about growing tomatoes, recipes for tomatoes and sweet corn; and upcoming topics will include tailgate grilling (burgers, food safety, etc.), virtual reality and other highlights of Farm Science Review, fall lawn care, apples, pumpkins, fall planting for winter, staying active in colder months, etc. Visit go.osu.edu/ExtensionToday to check it out!

We are always looking to make the content on these new webpages more robust for our viewers. If you have any resources you feel might be a good addition to any of the topics (before OR after the segments air on TV), contact Cheryl Buck, Extension communication manager, at buck.19@osu.edu.

There are several awards for which ESP members can be nominated – including for one’s international service, continued excellence, administrative leadership, and diversity/multicultural work (individual or team). Visit go.osu.edu/ESPspecialchapter to submit a nomination by Oct. 1 for these and other ESP awards.

Extension colleagues: Please consider nominating one or more of your deserving CD colleagues for the 2021 Raymond A. Schindler Excellence in Community Development Extension Award. The $1,500 award recognizes an Extension CD professional for significant programmatic strengths, major contributions, and innovative approaches achieved over the course of his or her Extension career. To accommodate for this year’s virtual Extension Annual Conference, the nomination submission deadline has been moved up to Oct. 15. You can read complete information about the award, including past recipients, and download the nomination form. The award is funded through the Extension CD Endowment. Direct any questions to David Civittolo, interim assistant director, community development, at civittolo.1@osu.edu.

Congratulations to the following individuals who were selected to receive an Ohio JCEP First-Timer award to attend a national Extension conference: Tori Kirian, NAE4HYDP Conference; Jennifer Little, NEAFCS Conference; and Roseanne Scammahorn, ESP Conference.

Also, per announcement in mid-August, the Ohio JCEP SGR Committee has remaining funds for first-timer awards to be used for an Extension national conference. If you have previously only attended a national conference virtually, you are eligible to apply for funds to be able to attend your first in-person conference. The committee will continue to accept and review applications for the first-timer award on a rolling basis until all of the 2021 funds are awarded. Visit go.osu.edu/ojcepscholarship for information and a link to the application.

Mark your calendars for our Extension Annual Conference, coming this December 7-9. Connect online with colleagues to celebrate our work and celebrate each other, while we also talk about trust and leadership as we look ahead. The theme for this year is Reflect. Reconnect. Refocus. In 2020, we adapted to change in all aspects of our lives, due to many circumstances beyond our control. We went above and beyond to fulfill our mission and provide exceptional virtual programming, communication, and training to Ohioans throughout the state.

Fast forward to 2021. We are reflecting on the past year and moving forward together to an even better future! We are reconnecting with colleagues as we come back to our offices and with clientele as we meet again more often in person. We are refocusing on our strategic efforts and organizational values as we adjust to a new “now,” continually improving our partnerships, programs, products, processes, and support for our people!

Consider submitting a proposal for a presentation, poster, or Engage in 5 session. Visit go.osu.edu/extconf to review the Request for Proposals guidelines and use a direct link to submit your own proposal(s). All proposals are due on Wednesday, Sept. 15 by 11:59pm. If you have any questions about the RFP process, email ShaLise Simmons (simmons.761@osu.edu) or Debby Lewis (lewis.205@osu.edu) with the LOD team.

Every Friday morning in September from 10-10:30 am, OSU Extension educators will be presenting “Exploring the Dimensions of Wellness” at the Connection Café. Topics include: emotional wellness (Sept. 3), financial wellness (Sept. 10), physical wellness (Sept. 17), and environmental wellness (Sept 24). Explore what it means to be well and how the various dimensions of wellness affect our overall health. The series is free, but registration is required. Register today at go.osu.edu/ConnecttoWellness.