Thoughts from the Director

Friends; As we take a look around us these days, we can see that spring has arrived (minus a final few light dustings of snow) and we are energized by thoughts of new beginnings and encouraged by signs of life and new growth all around us.

Program and Return-to-Office Planning

We are looking ahead at planning for more attendees at future in-person programs, as well as transitioning back into our statewide offices.

Cabinet Connections and Conversation: County Visits

Communication is more than just sharing information; it is equally important to listen. OSU Extension’s administrative cabinet is planning to connect with you soon at the local level throughout the organization.

Director’s Video Update on April 14 – Register Now

Join us for the next Director’s Video Update on Wednesday, April 14 at 9am. Registration is required in advance.

Strategic Planning

We have engaged with one outside consultant, and are working to define scope with another to complement the existing efforts we have going on to move us further along in our OSU Extension 2030 strategic plan.

Extension Insight Requested about COVID-19 Vaccine Beliefs and Attitudes in Ohio – Survey Open until 5pm on April 1

Your feedback is critically important to the future goals developed for this project. Visit https://go.osu.edu/extensionvaccineopinionsurvey and provide input by 5pm today.

Ohio State COVID-19 Town Hall – April 12

The next university town hall will be held on April 12 at 5:30pm. The discussion will include information on fall campus reactivation plans, updates about the state of the pandemic and vaccination progress as well as time for questions.

Vaccine Availability

Like everyone else in Ohio, we are following state and federal guidelines for the distribution of the vaccine. All Ohioans 16 and over are currenly eligible

CFAES Office for Research and Graduate Education: April 5-9 Celebration of Research Week

In coordination with the CFAES Annual Research Conference, the first annual Celebration of Research Week will be an opportunity to revel in the many successes of the CFAES research community.

Monarch Butterfly Earth Day Virtual Celebration via the Environmental Professionals Network – April 21

Ohio State’s Environmental Professionals Network (EPN) signature Earth Day celebration this year is Take Flight!, a focus on local and global efforts to protect and restore the monarch butterfly.

Application Opportunity Open for Engagement Impact Grants – due April 15

The Office of Outreach and Engagement is seeking applications from faculty and/or faculty-led teams for the 2021 Engagement Impact grants.

Current Budget Status

You all have been extraordinarily successful in meeting the needs of our communities in new and innovative ways while balancing the health and safety of your colleagues, clientele, and loved ones.

Transition from BuckeyeBox to OneDrive

Ohio State is retiring its BuckeyeBox service. OCIO is working with IT support and departmental leaders to determine the best time for CFAES departments to migrate. In advance of migration, you will receive communication with dates and resources specific to your migration.

Business Office Update

A number of issues have contributed to delayed payments to vendors from purchase order invoices primarily related to converted purchase orders from PeopleSoft into Workday. The university is actively resolving these issues by increasing capacity in Accounts Payable and making bulk changes to Workday processes.

Ohio NEAFCS Award Nominations

Congratulations to all of this year’s National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) award nomination winners who will represent Ohio at the national level.

Algal Bloom Action Team Receives Outstanding Regional Collaboration Achievement Award

The North Central Region Water Network’s Algal Bloom Action Team has received an Outstanding Regional Collaboration Achievement Award from the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (ANREP).

O.N.E. Extension – Onboard. Network. Excel. for Veteran Extension Employees

As originally announced last fall, the O.N.E. Extension - Onboard. Network. Excel. program resumed in March. In addition to the new-hire cohort programs (invitation only), the “Veteran Series” is open to all Extension personnel, regardless of years of service or position.

ACEL to Extension – Register for April, May Sessions

Join the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership (ACEL) for the next topic in its series “ACEL to Extension” – offered directly for Extension personnel by ACEL faculty.

CFAES DEI Monthly Newsletter

The CFAES Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion newsletter features upcoming events, information on professional development webinars, and resources.

CFAES Principles of Community

We affirm our conviction that racism and inequality have no place in CFAES. Our CFAES Principles of Community serve as a base for managing these actions.

Extension Annual Conference and Support Staff Conference Dates Announced

2021 virtual OSU Extension Annual Conference Mark your calendars to spend time attending the virtual Extension annual conference on December 7, 8, and 9 this year. Everyone is welcome to attend.