Note from David Civittolo

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving break. It was wonderful to step away from work for a few days and spend quality time with my family. I hope you were able to do the same. Now that December is here, it's conference time!

D.C. Days 2025 Now Accepting Applications – Due Jan. 8

The CFAES Office for Research and Graduate Education and the Grant Development Support Unit (GDSU) are now accepting applications for D.C. Days 2025. This program provides an opportunity for faculty researchers from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) to become more competitive by visiting federal program officers and federal funding agencies in Washington D.C.

Ohio State Organic Grains Conference – Jan. 9 and 10

Save the date for the 2025 Ohio State Organic Grains Conference. Plan on joining grain production experts for this two-day workshop that focuses on agronomic and farm management sessions for commercial organic grain growers in the Eastern Corn Belt.

Apply now for the University Outreach and Engagement Awards – due Dec. 15

Ohio State is seeking nominations of scholars, practitioners, and graduate students for the 2025 University Outreach and Engagement Awards, which honor faculty, staff and students for outstanding achievement in producing engaged scholarship and community impact.

Call for Proposals: Programs of Excellence in Engaged Scholarship – due Dec. 15

To support and promote high-impact engaged scholarship, the Office of Outreach and Engagement has instituted a process to certify programs of excellence in engaged scholarship.

eBarns Kick-Off Meeting – Jan. 23

Interested in learning about and getting involved with eBarns? Join the eBarns team on Jan. 23 (2 p.m.) for a kick-off to the 2025 research season.

Farm Accounting with Quicken Workshops – Start Jan. 28

The 2025 in-person Farm Accounting with Quicken Workshops are scheduled at five Ohio locations – running late January through late February 2025.

Water Quality Wednesday Webinar Series – Starts Jan. 29

Join Extension’s water quality associates for their fifth annual winter webinar series focusing on the interaction between agriculture and water quality. They will be held on Jan. 29, Feb. 26, and March 26.

Engaging Clients with Hydroponics – Jan. 31

An Engaging Clients with Hydroponics workshop will be held on Jan. 31, 2025 (9 a.m.-2 p.m.) at the Kunz-Brundige Franklin County Extension Building.

Minding the Brand: Adobe Express Trainings to Continue in 2025

Due to continued demand, live Adobe Express trainings will continue in 2025. Express, a powerful graphic design tool for marketing pieces, is available to all Ohio State employees. Extension Communications has provided templates (for flyers, social media, newsletters, yard signs, and more) in brand folders for Extension and Ohio 4-H within Express. 

Hill, Jones, and McDermott Receive National ESP Awards

Epsilon Sigma Phi recently recognized three OSU Extension professionals as national-level award recipients. Congratulations to the following individuals for their work in the land-grant mission that unites Extension professionals across the country.

Gaston receives NAESPDP National Award

Michelle Gaston, program coordinator for OSU Extension strategic initiatives and urban engagement, recently received an award for excellence in Extension staff development from NAEPSDP.

Retiring Extension Professionals

Congratulations to the following individuals on their upcoming retirement from Ohio State at year-end 2024.

Extension Professionals to Participate in CFAES Leadership Program

In 2016, CFAES launched a leadership development program for faculty and staff in the college. Because of the positive feedback from participants, the college is continuing its investment in this program.

FINPACK In-service – Jan. 14 and 15

A FINPACK in-service will be held Jan. 14-15 at Waterman in Columbus. This is an opportunity for Extension professionals to enhance their farm management skills.

Save the Dates: 2025 Trauma-Informed Approaches Trainings

There will be two opportunities for you to learn Trauma-Informed Approaches skills in 2025 – March 18-19 and Nov. 12-13) in Columbus.

Live Healthy Live Well Team Provides Winter Solstice Primer

Dec. 21 marks the Winter Solstice, and Extension’s Live Healthy Live Well Team shares some information about this meteorological event in a recent blog post.

Tips for Beating Stress During the Holiday Season

The Ohio State Alumni Magazine recently shared some tips on how to beat stress during the holiday season – including taking breaks, scaling back, making lists, giving and receiving Vitamin G (gratitude), accepting people you cannot change, and more.