SANDUSKY, Ohio — Organic grain farming in Ohio is growing — but so are the risks. From complex certification requirements and volatile markets to mounting weed pressure and unpredictable weather, the decisions farmers make today can shape the future of their operations.
And making the wrong decisions can cost real money.
To help Ohio’s organic grain producers stay ahead, researchers and educators with The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) are working to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and on-the-ground production.
The 2026 Ohio State Organic Grains Conference, held Jan. 7-8 in Sandusky, is organized by Ohio State University Extension’s Farm Office and Ohio State’s Organic Food &...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A rare but serious outbreak of infant botulism linked to powdered formula is prompting swift action from experts at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) and Ohio State University Extension.
ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula is now under nationwide recall. It’s the first time powdered infant formula has been implicated in an infant botulism case, said Nicole Arnold, assistant professor and food safety field specialist with OSU Extension, CFAES’ outreach arm.
“While infant botulism itself is rare, it poses a life-threatening risk to infants under 1 year old,” Arnold said. “That’s why communicating the facts and preventive steps quickly clearly during this ongoing...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ready to turn those Thanksgiving leftovers into next-day gourmet magic?
As you think of clever ways to serve Thanksgiving leftovers, remember to keep food safety in mind. After all, you and your guests who are eagerly awaiting Nanna’s famous sweet potato casserole or other holiday leftover favorites, deserve to enjoy these dishes safely and worry-free.
Sanja Ilic, food safety expert with The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), emphasizes understanding how to handle and store Thanksgiving leftovers.
“The recommended refrigerated storage time for different foods can vary, but in general, the time is quite short,” said Ilic, who is a food safety state specialist with Ohio State University...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — With Thanksgiving just days away, it’s time to start thinking about how to defrost your holiday turkey safely — especially if it’s still in the freezer.
Depending on its size, a frozen turkey can take up to six days to thaw in the refrigerator, making early preparation key to preventing foodborne illness, experts with The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) say.
“There are three safe ways to thaw a turkey: in the refrigerator, in a container of cold water or in a microwave,” said Nicole Arnold, assistant professor and food safety field specialist with Ohio State University Extension, CFAES’ outreach arm.
Of the three, thawing in the refrigerator is the safest and most...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — At a time when tariffs, international trade shifts and climate extremes are shaping the future of food and farming in Ohio, experts and decision-makers will gather Nov. 18 at the 2025 Agricultural Outlook and Policy Conference to share the latest insights and tangible solutions for Ohio’s agricultural community in Columbus.
Hosted by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics (AEDE) at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, the annual event aims to illuminate research, policy and best practices on topics pivotal to Ohio’s agriculture and rural life.
The conference, supported by the Ohio Farm Bureau and Three Rivers Energy...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — For 75 years, Ohio State’s Poultry Science Club has made Thanksgiving a little more meaningful for the Buckeye community — and for the next generation of poultry industry leaders — with its annual Turkey Sale.
Whether you’re picking up a turkey, volunteering with friends or just soaking up the holiday spirit, students in The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) say the Turkey Sale is a true highlight of autumn.
As club members prepare for the sale, the event’s impact stretches far beyond selling birds: It fuels hands-on learning, builds lifelong friendships and funds future career opportunities for students.
Elizabeth Lott, a senior animal sciences major in the CFAES Department...
COLUMBUS — With more than 1.4 million Ohioans relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to put food on the table, a recent delay in benefits has cast a shadow of uncertainty across the state, impacting families statewide.
As many households face tough new realities, The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), through its outreach arm, Ohio State University Extension, is stepping up to offer practical solutions, guidance and connections to food assistance.
Throughout Ohio, OSU Extension is working tirelessly to link families to food resources; share education on healthy and affordable eating; and provide support through partnerships with local pantries, food banks and community organizations.
“...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — When the weather turns, farmers aren’t the only ones who need to know what’s happening on the ground.
In some of Ohio’s most rural counties — especially across the northwest, northeast and southeast — radar and satellite tools often scan too high or too far to detect what matters most: soil moisture at the root zone, wind gusts at field level or storms forming just above the tree line.
These regions also tend to have the weakest radar coverage, leaving dangerous gaps in the state’s ability to monitor flash flooding, damaging winds and fast-developing severe storms. Without localized data, farmers and emergency managers are forced to make critical decisions with limited information — putting crop yields and public...
Just how many species of bees live in Ohio? Based on other states, estimates land between 400 and 450. Until recently, there hasn’t been a way to be sure.
Thanks to the Ohio Biodiversity Conservation Partnership (OBCP), the Ohio Bee Survey is entering its fifth year of data collection. More than 330 species of bees have been collected either in water bowls or nets, including almost 50 “specialist” species.
“Specialist bees have narrow diets, restricting their pollen collection to a few plant species, and often exhibit specific habitat associations, too,” said Karen Goodell, a professor at The Ohio State University Newark and a member of OBCP. “We’ve collected a ton of ecological data over the last few years about these rare...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A high-stakes Supreme Court case about presidential tariff authority could dramatically influence U.S. trade policy, with immediate repercussions for Ohio farmers — especially soybean producers already facing tight margins during harvest.
In a recent legal and economic analysis, Is There a Legal Basis for ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs?, Ian Sheldon, professor and holder of The Andersons Endowed Chair in Agricultural Marketing, Trade and Policy at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), examines the constitutional challenges surrounding the tariffs and their broader implications for trade and domestic agriculture.
“The Court of International Trade ruled that imposition of the tariffs...
