News Releases

  1. Tomato plants in a greenhouse

    Ohio State to lead research and development project to help greenhouse growers create optimal conditions, increase crops, and reduce waste

    COLUMBUS, OHIO—The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) is leading a research and development project to help greenhouse growers create the most ideal growing environment using real-time data and climate optimization processes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded a $3.77 million grant to study controlled environment agriculture (CEA), a process that extends the growing season, reduces waste, and yields more crops that are higher in quality by controlling environmental factors such as temperature, light, and nutrients. CFAES will spearhead the four-year study with collaboration from Rutgers; Cornell; University of Arizona; and Koidra, a company specializing in tools that help greenhouse and indoor growers manage crops using...
  2. Distinguished Ohio State Professor and leading soil scientist Rattan Lal earns India’s fourth highest award for groundbreaking work

    COLUMBUS, Ohio—Distinguished University Professor Rattan Lal recently earned India’s prestigious Padma Shri award for his innovative research and sustainable farming practices that address food insecurity and mitigate climate change. Padma Shri is India’s fourth highest civilian honor and recognizes individuals for their distinguished service in any field. Lal was recognized in the Science and Engineering category for pioneering a method of farming called soil sequestration, a technique that restores nutrients to the soil by trapping them in the ground. Soil sequestration also prevents carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere, which leads to reduced carbon emissions. “Dr. Lal’s work significantly impacts the future of the planet because it...
  3. OSU Extension’s Mobile Design Lab

    Grant helps 4-H expand access to computer science education to multiple counties statewide

    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...
  4. Jason Hartschuh

    Hartschuh named as field specialist, Dairy Management and Precision Livestock at Ohio State

    COLUMBUS, Ohio–Jason Hartschuh has been hired as field specialist, dairy management and precision livestock for Ohio State University Extension in The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). Hartschuh, who previously served as an OSU Extension educator for agriculture and natural resources, will begin his new position Nov. 1, said Jacqueline Kirby Wilkins, associate dean and director, OSU Extension. “In this important position, Jason will provide leadership for developing and implementing a comprehensive Extension and applied research agenda in dairy management and precision livestock farming,” Wilkins said. Hartschuh will focus on providing unbiased research and education in precision livestock farming, dairy...
  5. Photo: Free images

    Three Extension professionals named as field specialists, Farm Management at Ohio State

    COLUMBUS, Ohio–Bruce Clevenger, David Marrison, and Eric Richer have been hired as field specialists, farm management for Ohio State University Extension in The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). The three new specialists, who previously have served as OSU Extension county educators, will begin their new roles Nov. 1, said Jacqueline Kirby Wilkins, associate dean and director, OSU Extension. “Farm management is an extremely important topic in the agriculture industry, and OSU Extension has determined that the best way to address this top priority is to install several professionals to coordinate their efforts across the state,” Wilkins said. “Bruce, David, and Eric are experts in this field, and each also...
  6. Team Nationwide

    Ohio State’s Dean’s Charity Steer Show Raises $247,148

    COLUMBUS—Final donations have been tallied and an impressive $247,148 was raised by the Dean’s Charity Steer Show for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Central Ohio. Held August 2 at the Ohio State Fair’s Cooper Arena, the show far surpassed all expectations. “This wonderful event brings people together to celebrate communities, agriculture, and children,” said Cathann A. Kress, vice president for agricultural administration and dean of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) who serves as host for the event. The event is focused on youth who benefit from the Ronald McDonald House, which is the sole beneficiary of the funds, as well as the 4-H youth who provide their expertise and steers for...
  7. Farm Science Review overview shot

    Great weather, crowds make for successful 60th annual Farm Science Review

    The 60th annual Farm Science Review, sponsored by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) at The Ohio State University, came to a close yesterday at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center after welcoming 114,589 visitors during the course of the three-day event and showcasing the latest in agricultural innovations. “We’ve received great feedback in terms of the value that Farm Science Review offers to both attendees and exhibitors. It provides a venue for forging new business partnerships and the transfer of knowledge among people involved in different areas of agriculture,” said Nick Zachrich, show manager. With more than 600 exhibitors, the latest in agricultural technology, presentations by subject matter experts from Ohio State and...
  8. Ohio State and Nationwide announce AgTech Innovation Hub

    The 60th annual Farm Science Review opened this weeek near London, Ohio and began with a new multimillion-dollar research collaboration between The Ohio State University and Nationwide. The AgTech Innovation Hub will be facilitated by the offices of innovation for both organizations as well as the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). Nationwide and Ohio State will work together to encourage the development of new solutions that will help the agricultural ecosystem while better understanding, managing and mitigating climate risk. “Ohio farmers need new science, new strategies, new skills, new tools, new funding and new collaborations. I’m so happy today to have the honor to announce a new partnership between [CFAES] and Nationwide,...
  9. Nationwide, The Ohio State University “green” light AgTech Innovation Hub

    Nationwide to provide $2 million in funding to new collaboration designed to tackle climate change challenges. COLUMBUS, Ohio –According to a recent report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, climate change could make it more difficult to grow crops, raise animals, and catch fish in the same ways and same places as have been done in the past. Changes in the frequency and severity of droughts and floods brought on by climate volatility are real threats to farmers, ranchers and the world.   To help the agricultural industry meet the ever-changing concerns of its stakeholders, Nationwide and The Ohio State University have collaborated to form the AgTech Innovation Hub. This innovation hub will be facilitated by the offices of innovation for both organizations as...
  10. Starlab, the Voyager Space commercial space station. Image: Nanoracks

    The Ohio State University chosen as research home for Starlab’s George Washington Carver Science Park Terrestrial Laboratory

    The Ohio State University will serve as the lead partner for the first-ever science park devoted to space research. Voyager Space announced today it has selected a proposal from the university, the State of Ohio, JobsOhio, and One Columbus (“Team Ohio”) to host the terrestrial analog of the George Washington Carver Science Park (GWCSP) at Ohio State. The analog laboratory will be a replica of the Starlab space station science park and allows researchers to test missions and conduct parallel experiments on the ground. The GWCSP, established by Voyager and its operating company Nanoracks, is a core element of Starlab, the companies’ future commercial space station. In December 2021, Voyager and Nanoracks won a $160 million Space...

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