COLUMBUS, Ohio — After a growing season marked by delayed planting and dry conditions, Ohioans heading to pumpkin patches this fall may notice slightly smaller pumpkins — and possibly slightly higher prices.
Despite weather-related challenges, pumpkin quality remains strong, according to experts from The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). But variability in yield and shifting market forces could impact availability and price as the season reaches its peak.
“Ohio’s pumpkin yield should be average to slightly below average this year due to hot, dry conditions during key growth stages,” said Jim Jasinski, a professor and integrated pest management program coordinator, agriculture and natural resources,...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Lyme disease is on the rise, invasive ticks are spreading and Ohio leads the nation in La Crosse virus cases caused by infected mosquitos. To help protect people and livestock, researchers at The Ohio State University have helped launch a new digital resource that delivers prevention strategies and science-based solutions directly to those who need them most.
Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) and Ohio State University Extension helped lead development of the new national VECTOR Library — short for “Vector Education, Communication and Training Online Resources.” OSU Extension is CFAES’ outreach arm.
The VECTOR Library is a centralized, publicly accessible digital platform offering more...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — What do soil health, food safety and honeybee survival have in common?
They’re just a few of the critical areas where faculty in The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) are driving global progress — and now, 23 of those researchers have been named among the most influential scientists in the world.
The 2025 World’s Top 2% Scientists list, compiled by Stanford University and Elsevier, ranks researchers whose work is among the most cited by peers worldwide. The recognition places CFAES faculty in an elite tier of global scholarship, where their discoveries are shaping the future of food, agriculture and environmental sustainability.
“This recognition is a prestigious feather in...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Cutting boards, countertops and conveyor belts in food plants can become hidden sources of bacteria, even after cleaning. These high-touch surfaces face constant rubbing, cleaning and abrasion, making it hard to keep bacteria at bay.
A new study from The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) shows that a specially designed antimicrobial coating can continue working on these high-touch surfaces even after repeated wear, offering a potential new tool to help stop foodborne illnesses before they start.
The study, led by Melvin Pascall, professor in the CFAES Department of Food Science and Technology, was published in the Journal of Food Safety in August. The research evaluated how long an antimicrobial coating...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — As consumers stock up on Halloween candy this fall, they may notice a little less chocolate in their trick-or-treat bags — and a little more strain on their wallets.
A complex global story of crop failures, climate change, international tariffs and price volatility lies behind this year’s Halloween treats — driving up costs and reshaping the economics of America’s favorite holiday indulgence.
In a recent market analysis, Trick-or-Treat Trends: U.S. Chocolate Market Panorama for Halloween 2025, Alexis Villacis, an assistant professor of agricultural economics in The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), outlines the pressures facing chocolate manufacturers this season and the broader...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Long before they step into a college classroom, thousands of young Ohioans take their first steps into higher education through a very different gateway: Ohio 4-H.
Each year, more than 155,000 youth across all 88 counties explore leadership, STEM, agriculture, and civic engagement through Ohio 4-H—making it not just a youth development program, but what many consider their very first class at The Ohio State University.
As National 4-H Week is celebrated Oct. 5–11, The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) is shining a spotlight on the powerful role 4-H plays in shaping Ohio’s future workforce and leaders.
“4-H is a vital part of our land-grant mission. It provides youth across Ohio...
LONDON, Ohio — Imagine a soybean farmer boosting yields and profits just by changing a planting date — and using artificial intelligence to know exactly when to make the switch.
That scenario is quickly becoming a reality thanks to Agroptimizer, a new AI-powered decision-support tool being tested by Laura Lindsey, soybean and small grains specialist with The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
Agroptimizer is just one of many innovations that embodied the theme of the 2025 Farm Science Review: “Transforming Tradition.” Held at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London from Sept. 16-18, Farm Science Review brought together farmers, industry leaders, educators and families to explore the future of...
LONDON, Ohio — With more than 96% of Ohio experiencing abnormally dry conditions and nearly half the state already in moderate drought, the risk of farm fires is climbing fast — and farmers are being urged to prepare before harvest accelerates. As dry crop fields and heavy equipment converge this fall, even a small spark could lead to devastating consequences for both agricultural operations and rural communities.
That’s one reason why fire safety and emergency preparedness will take center stage at the 2025 Farm Science Review, set for Sept. 16-18 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio.
The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), along with Ohio State University Extension, will feature hands-on...
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State University’s 4-H Mobile Classroom is more than just a vehicle for education. It’s a catalyst for lifelong curiosity and creativity.
At a back-to-school kickoff in Grove City, Ohio, children buzzed with excitement as they explored colorful booths and activities. But one stop drew an especially eager crowd: a 34-foot bus offering hands-on STEAM learning, from digital art and app design to robotics and coding. Parents watched as their children discovered possibilities many had never imagined.
This fall, families at Farm Science Review, Sept. 16-18 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio, will have the same opportunity.
Hosted by Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), the...
LONDON, Ohio — Where can you hike to a pawpaw orchard for a fruit tasting, learn to cast a fly rod, identify invasive plants and test your knowledge of tree species — all in one day?
At the Gwynne Conservation Area during Farm Science Review, set for Sept. 16-18 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio, visitors can do just that while also discovering practical strategies for managing Ohio’s land, water and woodlands.
Hosted by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), Farm Science Review draws more than 100,000 visitors annually and is a premier showcase of agricultural innovation, conservation and education.
Just a short shuttle ride from the main grounds, the 67-acre Gwynne Conservation...
