COLUMBUS, Ohio — If a foodborne illness outbreak hits, every minute counts.
The faster a contaminated food can be traced to its source, the faster it can be pulled from shelves and plates. But for many retail food businesses, that’s easier said than done. A sweeping new federal traceability rule is about to raise the stakes, and The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) is here to help.
Aimed at strengthening the nation’s food safety net, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Food Traceability Rule requires that businesses handling certain high-risk foods keep more detailed records so regulators can quickly track and remove products in the event of an outbreak.
While the rule’s original...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) is proud to welcome its newest cohort of delegates to the Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching (CARET).
Ben Klick, Adrianna Meyer, Allison Sanders and Lauren Thornhill will represent CFAES at national meetings and join CARET delegates from other land-grant universities to strengthen American agriculture by ensuring strong public investment in innovation, education and outreach to food producers and consumers.
Founded in 1982 as part of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), CARET is a national grassroots coalition of volunteers who advocate for agricultural research, education and Cooperative Extension at agricultural...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio has struggled for decades to curb the phosphorus pollution that fuels harmful algal blooms and threatens drinking water supplies. A new research-driven partnership in Hardin County suggests a practical, farmer-driven approach can deliver measurable water quality improvements faster than expected without sacrificing agricultural productivity.
Results from the Pilot Watershed Project, a five-year research effort led by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), shows a 38% reduction in dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) in the Shallow Run watershed since 2024. This is especially notable as no other western Lake Erie watersheds have demonstrated such large reductions in the nutrient that drives algal blooms in...
The risk for being bitten by a tick infected with bacteria that cause Lyme disease is as high in Ohio as it is for those living in Northeast states that have dealt with Lyme disease for over 50 years, according to a new study.
Researchers followed up on a 2014 study finding that Ohio’s first established population of blacklegged ticks, carriers of the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, had been detected in 2010 in Coshocton County.
At that time, the infectious bacteria were detected in 2.4% of collected blacklegged ticks and antibodies indicating prior exposure to the pathogen were detected in 20% of white-footed mice, one of the most common of several small mammal sources of wildlife infections to ticks in their nymph and larval stages.
In the new study...
U.S. forests have stored more carbon in the past two decades than at any time in the last century, an increase attributable to a mix of natural factors and human activity, finds a new study.
To unravel the cause behind this spike, researchers used nationwide forest data to examine how six environmental factors may have contributed to the increase in carbon sequestered by forests. They found that natural forces such as increasing temperatures, shifting precipitation, and carbon fertilization are among the largest contributors to carbon gains, but human drivers, like letting forests get older and planting trees, are also becoming bigger factors.
Since most decarbonization efforts focus on curbing active emissions, this new analysis aims to help researchers better separate...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) ushered in the next generation of animal sciences education with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Multispecies Animal Learning Complex (MALC) and dairy on Thursday morning.
Situated at Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory near the heart of Ohio State’s Columbus campus, the MALC is an innovative, state-of-the-art complex that advances education in essential STEM fields and strengthens workforce development for a wide range of careers related to animal agriculture.
Inside the facility, students will have opportunities to gain hands-on experience with swine, equine, poultry, and ruminants, and the public will have a chance to view the workings...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Inside the Multispecies Animal Learning Complex (MALC), Ohio’s next generation of animal scientists, veterinarians and agricultural innovators will be suiting up — not just to learn, but to lead.
With a ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 29 at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), the MALC is more than a barn. It is a hands-on launchpad for careers in one of the state’s most essential and evolving industries.
Think robotic milkers, automated feeders and robotic vacuums that scrape up and clean manure. Think real-time data, high-stakes biosecurity and direct work with swine, sheep, cattle, poultry, goats and horses. The MALC will be where curiosity meets career training — and where...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A powerful winter storm expected to bring heavy snow, dangerous wind chills, and potential power outages across the region this weekend has food safety experts at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) highlighting the importance of preparing now—and of stocking up on more than just bread and milk.
While grocery store runs ahead of winter weather often focus on those two staples, experts say real preparedness means having at least three days’ worth of food and water for each person — and pet — in the household. That means checking pantries and refrigerators now and filling in the gaps before the worst of the storm hits.
“Being prepared with safe, shelf-stable foods...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Dairy cows will decide when they want to be milked. Robots will handle the rest: mixing and delivering feed, milking the cows and vacuuming manure. Students will assist staff in tracking the data and managing the systems.
At The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), that future will soon unfold inside the new Multispecies Animal Learning Complex (MALC), where advanced technology will reshape how students prepare for careers in modern animal agriculture.
As Ohio’s dairy industry faces growing pressure from labor shortages, sustainability demands and rising production costs, CFAES students will learn firsthand how modern tools and technology can help meet those challenges — all...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Youth Institute (OYI), hosted by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), returns April 13, 2026, offering high school students a transformative opportunity to tackle urgent global challenges. Hosted in partnership with the World Food Prize Foundation, the event empowers students to explore innovative solutions to issues such as hunger, poverty and sustainability while connecting with leaders and peers who share their passion for creating a better future.
Participation in OYI provides students with the opportunity to:
present research on real-world food security challenges
earn recognition as a Borlaug Scholar
become eligible for international travel opportunities, internships and fellowships...
