LONDON, Ohio–Whether it’s learning how to deal with the effects of the weather extremes farmers have faced this year, understanding the complexities of the U.S. Farm Bill and its impact on agriculture, or dealing with questions on farm insurance or getting your farm ready for your death, Ohio farmers likely have a lot of questions as this year amidst the challenging 2023 growing season.
Faculty and staff from The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), will answer those questions and address some of the top farm management and veterinary medicine challenges facing Ohio farmers in 2023 and in the upcoming year, during this year’s Farm Science Review.
Sponsored by CFAES, the 61st annual farm trade show takes place...
COLUMBUS, Ohio—The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) has received a $2.5 million award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to fund a project that will focus on improving nutrition and physical activity, and will address health disparities related to poor nutrition, physical activity, and obesity.
The grant will fund the High Obesity Program (HOP), which, in Ohio, will be led by Ohio State University Extension, the outreach arm of CFAES. The five-year program will focus on rural communities, where 40% or more of adults have obesity, said Carol Smathers, a CFAES associate professor and field specialist in youth nutrition and wellness for OSU Extension.
“The issue is significant considering that...
COLUMBUS, Ohio–From the moment the train derailed Friday night Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio, resulting in a toxic chemical release and massive fire that forced hundreds of people to evacuate their homes, the calls from local farmers and producers for help began flooding into the Ohio State University Extension office in Columbiana County.
Impacted families were told to evacuate due to the release of some of the train’s transported chemicals including vinyl chloride, and the combusting chemical products from the initial burning tank cars followed by a controlled burn, into the air, on to the soil and into surface water.
“We’ve been told to evacuate, but where can we take our livestock?” was among the first questions posed by farmers and...
COLUMBUS, Ohio–Farmers, producers, and anyone who works outdoors should beware: When the weather is warmer, you’re at a higher risk for heat illness, which can come on suddenly with many people unaware they’re in danger.
Even experienced workers are vulnerable to heat-related illness, said Dee Jepsen, state leader, Ohio State University Extension Agricultural Safety and Health Program. OSU Extension is the outreach arm of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
One reason is that, often, some are unwilling to admit that heat affects them. Or they don’t recognize the symptoms.
In fact, almost half of heat-related deaths occur on a worker’s first day on the job. According to the Occupational...
COLUMBUS, Ohio—From brittle, brown lawns and cracked soils to dry garden beds and crops, the signs are clear statewide: Ohio is officially in a drought.
The recent stretch of warmer temperatures combined with scant rainfall in recent weeks has resulted in moderate drought conditions over 62% of the state, with nearly 98% of Ohio considered abnormally dry, according to the June 8 update from the U.S. Drought Monitor.
“Moderate drought” is the initial level of drought, while “abnormally dry” means an area is moving in the direction of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
And while it isn’t time to panic, these are rapidly changing conditions that need to be monitored, said Aaron Wilson, Ohio State University Extension’s field...
COLUMBUS, Ohio–Five innovative research projects have been awarded funding from the new AgTech Innovation Hub, a multimillion-dollar collaboration between The Ohio State University and Nationwide.
Nine researchers in The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) were chosen to pitch their innovative research project ideas to be completed through the AgTech Innovation Hub, said Gary Pierzynski, CFAES associate dean of Research and Graduate Education.
Using a kind of “Shark Tank”-like format, each researcher pitched their ideas before a judging panel, and five were selected for funding. The goal of the research projects, each of which will last for one year, is to find a practical solution to a real-world problem in the...
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Backyard lovers, campers, outdoors enthusiasts, and pet owners beware. If you thought last year’s tick season was bad, just wait. This year has the potential to be even worse.
Ticks—and the diseases they carry—are on the rise in Ohio and will likely continue to increase. There has been a steady increase in tick-vectored disease numbers in Ohio each year, and officials don’t expect to see a reverse of the trend, said Tim McDermott, an educator with Ohio State University Extension, the outreach arm of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
“While you can encounter a tick during any season, spring marks the beginning of heavy tick season, and this year, the tick population statewide...
COLUMBUS, Ohio—A new online farm management course offered by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) will help Ohio’s beginning farmers qualify for the requirements of the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Beginning Farmer Tax Credit program.
Called Farm On, the self-paced, on-demand farm financial management course was created by Ohio State University Extension professionals and is offered through OSU Extension’s new Farm Financial Management and Policy Institute (FFMPI), said Eric Richer, assistant professor and OSU Extension field specialist in farm management.
OSU Extension is the outreach arm of CFAES.
“The Farm On financial management course was created to address the needs of Ohio...
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Public health, community outreach, and youth engagement at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) are getting a boost with the announcement of a $1.1 million investment from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, to fund a new Public Health AmeriCorps program.
The five-year grant, which was awarded to Ohio State University Extension, will fund up to 74 AmeriCorps members to address the public health needs of communities across Ohio and help rebuild the state’s public health sector, said Pat Bebo, assistant director, family and consumer sciences, OSU Extension. OSU Extension is the outreach arm of CFAES.
“The grant will enhance OSU Extension’s presence...
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Amy Ando, a professor at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), has been named chair of the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics (AEDE) at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), pending final approval by The Ohio State University Board of Trustees.
Her four-year appointment begins July 16, 2023.
Ando earned her PhD in economics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her BA in economics from Williams College. She began her post-doctoral career as a fellow in the Quality of the Environment Division at Resources for the Future in Washington, D.C.
She later moved to UIUC in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, where she worked as an...
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Ann Christy, interim associate dean and director for Academic Programs at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), has been named associate dean and director for CFAES Academic Programs, pending final approval by The Ohio State University Board of Trustees.
Her appointment began Jan. 1 and runs through June 30, 2026.
Christy, who is also a professor of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering (FABE) and a professor of engineering education, previously served as chair of the Academic Affairs Committee for FABE, and then served as interim associate dean for Undergraduate Education and Student Services at Ohio State’s College of Engineering. Other university roles Christy has served include:...
LCOLUMBUS, Ohio—Douglas Jackson-Smith, interim director of the Agroecosystem Management Program (AMP) at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), has been named the college’s W.K. Kellogg Foundation Endowed Chair in Agricultural Ecosystems Management, pending final approval by the Ohio State University Board of Trustees.
His appointment runs through May 15, 2027.
Jackson-Smith first joined CFAES as a professor and associate director in the School of Environment and Natural Resources in 2016. He was named interim director of the AMP in 2021. He has won numerous national awards and authored, co-authored, or reviewed more than 362 publications including books, book chapters, journal articles, research papers, and...
COLUMBUS, Ohio–A lifetime 4-H supporter, an Ohio State Fair general manager, and three Darke County judges are being honored for their work, commitment, and dedication to Ohio State University Extension.
Pat Brundige, the biggest individual benefactor in the history of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), along with Virgil Strickler, the longest-running general manager in the history of the Ohio Expo Center & Ohio State Fair, and Darke County judges Jonathan Hein, Julie Monnin, and Jason Aslinger, are each being honored with a Friend of Extension award from the Ohio chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP) for their outstanding support and personal involvement in Extension efforts.
The award is the highest state-level...
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Increased expenses that can occur during the winter holiday season can make it hard for some consumers to avoid overspending. While this has become an annual issue for many people, increased inflation this year has more consumers looking for ways to stretch their budgets while still enjoying the festive season.
According to the 2022 Holiday Outlook by PwC, formerly Price Waterhouse Coopers, total holiday spending this year will be similar to last year, with the average consumer planning to spend $1,430 this year. The international accounting firm surveyed more than 4,000 consumers.
“Despite citing fears of inflation and the rising costs of transportation and utilities as deterrents to holiday spending, most consumers—74%—told us they plan to...
I’m buying a frozen turkey this week to serve for Thanksgiving this year. What’s the best way to thaw it?
With the traditional holiday just days away, if you’ve purchased a frozen turkey, the time to think about how to defrost it is now. Depending on how large your frozen bird is, it could take up to six days to safely defrost it in a refrigerator.
It’s very important that you thaw and cook your turkey safely to help avoid developing foodborne illnesses. Thawing a frozen turkey correctly helps minimize the growth of bacteria, which can cause foodborne illnesses. While frozen, a turkey is safe indefinitely. However, as soon as it begins to thaw, any bacteria that might have been present before freezing can begin to grow again, according to the USDA...
COLUMBUS, Ohio–An expert in community leadership, a food scientist, a retired associate dean and a retired associate vice president of Agricultural Administration were honored this month for their research, teaching and service to The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU).
Mary Rodriguez, assistant professor of agricultural communication, education and leadership; Mary Kay Pohlschneider, senior lecturer in the CFAES Department of Food Science and Technology; Steve Neal, retired associate dean, and director of CFAES academic programs; and David Benfield, retired associate vice president of Agricultural Administration, director of the CFAES Wooster Campus, and associate...
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Knowing is half the battle—especially when it comes to homebuying.
That’s where Ohio State University Extension comes in.
OSU Extension educators specializing in healthy finances offer homeownership education and homebuyer counseling to assist Ohioans throughout the homebuying and homeownership process. Extension is the outreach arm of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
Already, some 2,200 people in Franklin County have attended classes offered by OSU Extension and have received a HUD-approved completion certificate, said Courtney Warman, an Extension program specialist that works with the homebuyer education program.
And an additional 497 homebuyers were served across Ohio through...
My kids brought home a large haul of Halloween candy that I’m trying to avoid snacking on. With the remaining fall and upcoming winter holidays coming, I’m wondering if you can offer any tips to help me avoid gaining weight but still enjoy the holidays?
Take heart – you aren’t the only parent tempted to eat their kiddos’ Halloween goodies. In fact, two-thirds of parents report that they do eat some of their children’s Halloween candy haul, according to the National Confectioners Association,
With the remaining fall and winter holidays approaching, many people are concerned about trying to stay healthy while also enjoying all the rich, delicious foods and traditions associated with the many celebrations that are or will be soon...
Can eating too much black licorice really cause heart problems?
In some cases, for some people, yes.
With Halloween this week and candy sales expected to top $3.1 billion this year, according to the National Retail Federation, it’s a good time to revisit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s warning regarding black licorice.
The FDA warns that people over 40 who eat 2 ounces of black licorice a day for at least two weeks could experience an irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia that could land them in the hospital. Black licorice can also interact with some medications, herbs, and dietary supplements, FDA says.
This is significant, considering that two-thirds of parents report that they do eat some of their children’s Halloween candy haul, according to...
COLUMBUS, Ohio–Thanks to a grant from Google, at least 1,500 more Ohio youth will have increased access to computer science education offered by Ohio 4-H.
The funds are part of a $5 million grant to National 4-H Council to help expand access to computer science. In Ohio, the funds will go towards offering computer science programming to an additional 1,500 youth across the state by Ohio 4-H professionals, said Kirk Bloir, state 4-H leader and assistant director, Ohio State University Extension.
Ohio 4-H, the youth development arm of OSU Extension, offers 4-H programs to youth in all 88 of Ohio’s counties. OSU Extension is the outreach arm of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
As America’s largest youth...
COLUMBUS, Ohio–Ohio State’s Farm Science Review, which turns 60 this year, plans to highlight its decades of providing valuable information to farmers and producers, while focusing on continuing to educate for the future.
The premier agricultural education and industry exposition is set for Sept. 20–22 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center, 135 State Route 38, near London. Hosted by CFAES, the 60th FSR will focus on “Embracing Time and Change.”
More than 100,000 people are expected to attend the event, which will feature more than 100 educational sessions including “Ask the Expert” talks, the most comprehensive field crop demonstrations in the United States, 600 exhibits, a career exploration fair, and immersive virtual reality videos of...
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Farmers and producers who may now—or will soon—face questions regarding long-term care costs can learn how to fund such care by finding the best ways to mitigate long-term care risks during a July 20 webinar offered by an agricultural law specialist from The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
The hourlong webinar will be presented from noon to 1 p.m. by Robert Moore, CFAES agricultural and resource law specialist with Ohio State University Extension’s Agricultural and Resource Law program. OSU Extension is the outreach arm of CFAES.
The issue of planning for long-term care costs for farmers and producers is significant, considering that nursing homes can cost some $100,000 per year, a cost...
I’ve got a fridge full of food and our power went out for several hours due to severe storms. Is there any food that can be saved, or do I have to throw everything out of our fridge due to spoilage?
It’s that time of year when severe weather can leave consumers without power for a few minutes to multiple days, in some instances. Rounds of severe weather and extreme heat have already impacted many consumers nationwide this spring, with thousands experiencing widespread power outages issues in Ohio and throughout the country.
It’s incredibly frustrating to think you must discard groceries that you’ve just purchased due to a power outage. Understanding the basics of food safety and how perishable foods are impacted when the temperature is 40 degrees...
COLUMBUS, Ohio—While most Ohioans have access to broadband internet, nearly 1 million still lack access to the fast, reliable broadband services in their homes, says analysts with the C. William Swank Program in Rural-Urban Policy at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
“This unserved population largely lives in less populated rural regions of the state where it is prohibitively expensive for internet service providers to extend service,” according to Mark Partridge, chair and professor in the CFAES Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics. The Swank program, housed in the department, conducts research, teaching, and outreach within the college.
An April report released by...
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Ticks—and the diseases they carry—are on the rise in Ohio this season and will likely continue to increase.
While you can encounter a tick during any season, spring marks the beginning of heavy tick season, and this year, the tick population statewide is expected to continue to rise, said Tim McDermott, an educator with Ohio State University Extension, the outreach arm of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
Global climate change and tick-host range expansion are some reasons for the increase, McDermott said.
“Ticks are extraordinarily adaptable and can travel on host animals,” he said. “Ticks expand when their habitat range expands due to global climate change. They take...
