COLUMBUS, Ohio — From brittle, brown lawns and cracked soils to dry ponds and crops, the signs are clear: A large portion of Ohio is again officially in a drought.
Parts of central, southeast, and southern Ohio are grappling with drought conditions that are wreaking havoc on local agriculture. The recent stretch of hot temperatures combined with scant rainfall has resulted in at least 63% of the state considered abnormally dry or worse, including 24% considered severe drought and 12% in extreme drought, according to the Aug. 22 update from the U.S. Drought Monitor.
This prolonged dry spell has left pastures parched and forage availability critically low, forcing some farmers to confront a dire shortage of hay, said Garth Ruff, an Ohio State University Extension field...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Amid the tantalizing aroma of corn dogs, the refreshing swirl of lemon shake-ups, and the dizzying whirl of fairground rides, there exists a lesser-known but vital aspect of the Ohio State Fair: It’s a place where youth develop career skills. Each day of the fair, Ohio 4-H members share their projects, embodying the spirit of exploration, learning, and growth.
Ohio 4-H, the youth development arm of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), plays a pivotal role in empowering youth statewide. Annually, more than 9,000 4-H youth from all of Ohio’s 88 counties compete at the Ohio State Fair, carefully selected by their county program. In 2023, 9,301 4-H youth participated in Ohio State Fair events....
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Groundbreaking research conducted by a multi-state team, including Shoshanah Inwood, associate professor at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), has unveiled the caregiving experiences of households in the North Central and Northeast regions of the U.S.
The preliminary findings, released as two regionally focused “Research Snapshots,” offer insights into caregiver demographics, the financial and personal impacts of caregiving, and the types of support that caregivers seek.
“Our caregiving survey was designed to understand caregiving across the life course, including children, adults, and elderly,” said Inwood, who researches community, food, and economic development in the CFAES...
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State Fair is a summer tradition for many Ohioans, filled with fun, games, and, of course, food. But amidst the elephant ears and deep-fried ice cream, how can fairgoers make healthier food choices?
Jenny Lobb, a family and consumer sciences educator for Ohio State University Extension, the outreach arm of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), offers some advice.
“It’s not likely you’ll gain 12 pounds in a day of overindulgence, but that doesn’t mean it’s a great idea to have an elephant ear for breakfast, stromboli for lunch, bacon-on-a-stick for dinner, and deep-fried ice cream for dessert,” she said. “Your gastrointestinal system would probably have a...
The Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory in Columbus will soon be home to The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) new state-of-the-art dairy facility, replacing the outdated 1972 structure demolished in March.
“We’re making exciting progress,” Graham Cochran, CFAES associate dean for operations, said. “Construction will start soon with an anticipated completion in spring 2025. The project will bring a modern small-scale, fully autonomous dairy to the CFAES Columbus campus, supporting our work for years to come.”
The new dairy, located on the site of the previous dairy at Waterman as part of the 261-acre lab, will be equipped with leading-edge technology from Lely North...
CINCINNATI, OHIO — Professionals working to pass on farm businesses to future generations successfully might find valuable resources at the annual Cultivating Connections Conference August 5-6. The conference is hosted by the Agricultural and Resource Law program at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
This year’s conference will take place at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Law in Cincinnati. It will convene attorneys, accountants, appraisers, educators, and other farm transition planners from across the nation, said Peggy Hall, director of the Ohio State University Extension Agricultural and Resource Law program. OSU Extension is the outreach arm of CFAES.
The upcoming gathering...
COLUMBUS, Ohio –– A new study led by a researcher at The Ohio State University has unveiled the significant and enduring impacts of hospital modernization on health outcomes and racial inequality. The research, led by Alex Hollingsworth, an associate professor at Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), was recently published in the American Economic Review.
The study reveals that a comprehensive hospital modernization program in North Carolina, managed by The Duke Endowment, led to substantial improvements in health outcomes and reduced racial health disparities. The modernization efforts, which included the construction and expansion of hospitals, the upgrade of medical technology, and the enhancement of management...
Lal’s work focuses on carbon sequestration in agriculture, removing atmospheric carbon
A globally renowned soil scientist at The Ohio State University, Rattan Lal, has been awarded the 2024 Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity for his significant contributions to global food security, climate resilience and ecosystem protection.
Lal, a Distinguished University Professor at Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) and the founding director of the CFAES Rattan Lal Center for Carbon Management and Sequestration, was also recently named the No. 1 scientist in the world and the United States in the field of plant sciences and agronomy by Research.com.
Lal was chosen for his pioneering work in promoting a soil-centric approach...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ann D. Christy, associate dean and director for Academic Programs at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), has been named a Fellow with the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE).
ASABE has also awarded Patrick Sours, CFAES assistant professor of professional practice, the 2024 Robert E. Stewart Engineering Humanities Award, and Jaden Tatum, CFAES graduate research Fellow, the 2024 Pharos of Alexandria Global Learning Award. ASABE is an international scientific and educational organization that works to advance engineering applied to agricultural, food, and biological systems.
Christy, who is also a professor in the CFAES Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — As you gear up for your July Fourth celebration in the park, the temptation to partially cook meats at home and finish them on the grill during the picnic might cross your mind. However, this seemingly time-saving approach could expose you to foodborne illnesses.
Kate Shumaker, an Ohio State University Extension educator and registered dietitian, explains that partial cooking doesn’t destroy bacteria that can cause illnesses. OSU Extension is the outreach arm of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
“The added heat during partial cooking can allow these bacteria to grow to unsafe levels,” she warns. “Instead, opt for fully cooking your meats to a safe internal temperature on...
