News Releases

  1. Arrows and youth pair of tennis shoes

    Ohio 4-H launches CareerNext to empower youth for tomorrow’s workforce

    Ohio 4-H announces the debut of CareerNext: Are You Ready?, an innovative online course designed to equip young individuals with the skills and confidence needed to excel in tomorrow's workforce. As the career landscape rapidly evolves, Ohio 4-H recognizes the need to prepare youth for forthcoming challenges and opportunities. CareerNext stands as a comprehensive program integrating practical knowledge, interactive modules, and real-world scenarios to empower participants to explore various career paths, hone critical skills, and make informed decisions about their future. “CareerNext marks a significant milestone in our commitment to nurturing the personal and professional growth of Ohio’s youth,” stated Kirk Bloir, state 4-H leader. “By furnishing...
  2. Martha Belury in her lab.

    Belury receives inaugural 2024 Nutrition Society of Taiwan Award

    Martha A. Belury, chair and professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, has been named recipient of the 2024 inaugural Nutrition Society of Taiwan Award for the American Society for Nutrition (ASN). She is in Taiwan this week to receive the new award, which honors ASN members who have made noticeable contributions to advance nutrition research, clinical practice, or education in Taiwan, or individuals who have worked in partnership with Taiwanese scientists, researchers, and educators. "Life is full of delightful surprises and I am truly grateful to be the first recipient of the Nutrition Society of Taiwan Award," Belury said. "Receiving this award will hopefully...
  3. Tractor in front of city skyline.

    New report looks at Ohio agricultural land lost to development

    When it comes to farmland losses in Ohio, the three metropolitan areas of Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati, not surprisingly, lead the way. A new report by The Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) took a deep dive into the decline of Ohio farmland acres between the 20-year period of 2002 and 2022. The counties of Cuyahoga, Franklin, and Hamilton had among the largest percentages of decline in farm numbers, land in farms, and agricultural land lost to development. Cuyahoga County, part of the Cleveland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), experienced the largest decrease in number of farms, with the number dropping by 35%. Franklin County (part of the Columbus MSA), had one of the highest percentages of agricultural land...
  4. ODA, OSU Extension team up to give out free garden seeds through Ohio Victory Gardens program

    REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (April 10, 2024) — Ohio’s movement to promote urban and rural gardening is back and bigger than ever! The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) and Ohio State University Extension are partnering once again to encourage Ohioans to cultivate their own produce. The popular Ohio Victory Gardens program is back for its fifth year, and due to high demand, the program is expanding to include 64 counties. OSU Extension offices will be handing out free seed sample kits to the public to get people planting. Specific days and times for each office — as well as planting resources and information — are available on the Ohio Victory Gardens website. “We want all Ohioans to experience the pride of growing their own food,” said ODA director...
  5. Wang appointed to Professorship in Plant Protection

    Columbus, Ohio — April 10, 2024 — Guo-Liang Wang has been appointed to a five-year term as the holder of the Endowed Professorship in Plant Protection at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). This appointment signifies Wang’s exceptional contributions to the field of plant pathology and his continued dedication to advancing agricultural sciences. He brings to this role a wealth of experience and expertise, having served as a highly productive professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at Ohio State since 2008 and an associate chair since 2023.  “Dr. Wang’s dedication to advancing knowledge in plant pathology, coupled with his outstanding record of scholarship, leadership, and service, make...
  6. Lowbush blueberry

    Earth Day program celebrates Ohio’s native plants

    April is native plant month. With Ohio being the first state in America to adopt this designation, it only makes sense that native plants take center stage at the April 22 Earth Day celebration by The Ohio State University’s Environmental Professionals Network (EPN). Titled “Eat This Earth Day!” the program will take place at the Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road on Ohio State’s campus, from 4:45-7:30 p.m. and virtually, worldwide, through an EPN livestream production.  The EPN is a service of the School of Environment and Natural Resources in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). Using native plants for food will take center stage at this year’s event. Held in collaboration with CFAES’ Chadwick...
  7. Yawning red panda

    Bedtime or go time? Observing what animals do during a total solar eclipse

    When darkness falls on central Ohio during the total solar eclipse on April 8, will animals think it’s time to go to bed? Will they be anxious? Will they care? Scientists from The Ohio State University and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium are taking advantage of the rare celestial event to find out. “It’s a unique opportunity to understand how so many different animals respond to a weird thing,” said Courtney Anderson, a PhD student in the School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) who is spearheading the effort for Ohio State College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. Her counterpart at the zoo is Adam Felts, director of animal well-being. “The likelihood that you’re going to find a wild animal during an event like this...
  8. Cathann A. Kress, The Ohio State University vice president for agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES)

    CFAES dean recognized in celebration of Women’s History Month

    In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST)recognized Cathann A. Kress, The Ohio State University vice president for agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), and CAST board of trustee member, in a series focused on women in agriculture. The following feature highlights her experiences growing up on a farm, her challenges and successes as a woman in agriculture, and her advice in embracing one’s identity in the field.  Embracing my identity: A woman’s journey in agriculture During my formative years, I grew up on a farm in southeast Iowa, where my family raised sheep. During the summers, my job was to steward the pastures and move...
  9. Photo: Adobe Stock Images

    Farm to Table: OSU Extension Launches Online Food Business Central

    COLUMBUS, Ohio–Are you a home baker ready to sell your baked goods? Maybe you’re a farmer looking for value-added opportunities for crops you’ve grown or livestock you’ve raised? Or maybe you’re an entrepreneur aiming to use local agricultural products to make value-added foods to sell? If so, then the new Food Business Central online course offered by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) can help equip you with the knowledge and strategies to launch a successful farm-raised or home-based food business in Ohio. Created by Ohio State University Extension educators and specialists in family and consumer sciences (FCS), the online course is designed to serve as a centralized hub to connect...
  10. Field demonstrations at the 2023 Farm Science Review.

    Farmers’ Resilience, Need for Preparation Highlighted in Aftermath of Recent Tornado

    LONDON, Ohio - Ohio farms are known for their resilience, which also holds true for The Ohio State University Molly Caren Agricultural Center, home to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) annual Farm Science Review (FSR), after it was damaged by an EF2 tornado in the early morning hours of Feb. 28. The aftermath of the storm left 46 of the 62 buildings on the grounds damaged or destroyed. This included 13 university-owned buildings and 33 privately-owned buildings.  Like other local farmers impacted by the storm, the focus of the FSR and CFAES teams has been on recovery and rebuilding to ensure the show will continue as scheduled. “We are fully committed to hosting this year’s show and coming back stronger than ever, which...

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