CFAES Impact: September/October 2024

  1. BroadbandOhio Community Accelerator: A beacon of connectivity for Ohio’s future

    BroadbandOhio Community Accelerator, a collaborative by Ohio State University Extension community development in partnership with BroadbandOhio, is advancing broadband access for Ohio producers, enhancing precision agriculture in areas where connectivity is limited or inaccessible.

    The program consists of an educational series aimed at empowering counties with the resources to bring broadband to their areas, said Kyle White, educator, community development, OSU Extension.

    “Community participants learn about broadband basics, terminology, reasonable expectations, and resources to fund broadband,” White said. “They learn how, with support from BroadbandOhio, to access grants and other funding sources.”

    “The ultimate goal is to provide minimum-speed broadband coverage of 100/20 megabits per second [Mbps] to every resident in Ohio who desires it.”

    Counties apply for acceptance to the program, and BroadbandOhio selects the final cohort, usually consisting of five to six counties per workshop series. The series includes 10-12 weekly classes led by subject matter experts. Each class consists of one hour of education followed by a breakout room discussion and worksheet completion related to the topic.

    The program focuses on underserved (those with broadband service offering speeds of 100/20 Mbps) and unserved (those without any broadband service or with service offering speeds below 25/3 Mbps) populations that desire broadband coverage.

    Program staff work with BroadbandOhio and internet service providers (ISPs) to leverage federal and other grants for broadband. The target audience includes counties with spotty broadband coverage; documented, poor internet speeds; and/or coverage that does not meet the users’ needs. 

    Several counties have produced a strategic plan for broadband service based on the education and worksheets in the series. Some outputs of the classes include updated broadband maps that more accurately reflect the actual broadband service in areas. Counties create surveys for their constituents to gather data on their broadband experience and learn how to build relationships with ISPs. 

    “The program is ongoing and will continue until everyone is served or until there are no more counties interested in participating,” White said. “This is a partnership between OSU Extension and BroadbandOhio, which is very beneficial to the residents of Ohio.” 

    “The BroadbandOhio Community Accelerator program is paving the way for a connected future, ensuring that Ohio stays at the forefront of technological advancement and agricultural innovation.” 

  2. CFAES pioneers agrivoltaics research for sustainable land use

    CFAES researchers are pioneering an agrivoltaics project to harmonize solar energy production with agricultural activities on the same land, focusing on optimizing the growth and quality of alfalfa and cool-season grasses. 

    “The primary goal of the project is to enhance the understanding of agronomic forage production within solar farms,” said Braden Campbell, a CFAES assistant professor and an OSU Extension small ruminant specialist. 

    “The team aims to develop best practices for establishing forages, integrating grazing strategies, maximizing soil health, and utilizing precision agriculture technologies,” he said. “The long-term vision is to demonstrate the commercial-scale application of agricultural forage cropping systems into a 1,034-acre, 180-megawatt utility-scale solar farm.” 

    The research is divided into four focal areas. First, it investigates the use of agronomic forages within utility-scale solar farms, addressing the impacts of forage yield and quality in relation to shade and moisture availability. Second, it explores the integration of livestock production, focusing on the adaptability of forages and the health and behavior of livestock, particularly sheep. 

    The third area is the incorporation of precision agriculture equipment, operations, and management to reduce human error-causing damage to photovoltaic equipment. Lastly, the project aims to remediate soil compaction and enhance soil health, critical aspects often overlooked in utility-scale solar installations. 

    The project is currently being conducted within a utility-scale solar farm, with the potential to apply the research findings at any scale. The U.S. Department of Energy sponsors the project through the Foundational Agrivoltaic Research for Megawatt Scale (FARMS) funding program, in partnership with Savion and their agrivoltaics group. 

    The target audience for this research includes forage and livestock producers, farmers, landowners, solar developers, community stakeholders, agricultural equipment manufacturers, and government representatives. 

    “The ultimate goal is to identify multi-use land strategies that offer the best economic, environmental, and social benefits,” Campbell said. 

    The project, set to span four years, is a testament to Ohio State’s commitment to pioneering sustainable solutions for the future of agriculture and energy production. It underscores the potential of agrivoltaics as a viable strategy for sustainable land use, paving the way for a greener future. 

  3. Ohio farmers seek energy efficiency amid rising costs

    As energy prices soar in Ohio and nationwide, farmers are exploring ways to cut costs through energy efficiency and renewable energy practices. A deeper understanding of on-farm energy consumption, the energy pyramid, and the impact of peak demand on billing could help farmers implement best practices to reduce energy costs. 

    CFAES researchers are seeking to understand electrical demand on livestock farms and identify strategies and equipment farmers can use to more efficiently manage energy consumption. 

    “The data has shown us that if you have a farm and you are on a demand rate, simple changes in behavior can save you money,” said Eric Romich, a CFAES professor and an OSU Extension field specialist in energy development. “Many farms aren’t aware of the details in their electric rate structure.” 

    The shift from diesel fuel to electricity has caused farms to be heavy electricity users. Demand rates, typically seen in commercial structures, are now common in farming operations. According to the 2020 On-Farm Critical Infrastructure Survey, 72% of farmers are concerned or very concerned about electricity prices, and 57% have a commercial electric rate with demand charges. 

    In 2023, Ohio farms spent approximately $4.7 million on electricity to support the state’s dairy and swine production. Demand charges, which track the highest rate of electricity consumption during the billing period, can account for roughly 50% of a farm’s monthly electricity bill. 

    As agricultural operations have become more automated, the electrical demands of many farms have increased. In 2014, the agricultural sector consumed 1,714 trillion BTU of energy, with electricity representing 17% of the total energy consumed. Romich’s work focuses on demand reduction. 

    To reduce demand charges, he suggests that farmers understand their rate structures and identify large motor loads, as well as recognize when they operate, how long they operate, and why. 

    “Everyone is busy. You get your bill, you pay your bill, and you move on,” Romich said. “But understanding how to shift nonessential loads to times when other operations aren’t running can make a difference.” 

    Romich’s research aims to reduce energy cost in swine and dairy barns through the installation of high-efficiency ventilation fan motors and employ optimal controller strategies based on modulation of fans in response to temperature and humidity signals. 

    “As Ohio — the No. 10 state in demand charges used — faces rising energy costs, these initiatives could provide a roadmap for farmers seeking to increase energy efficiency and profitability,” he said.

  4. CFAES Simunauts on a culinary quest

    This summer, four CFAES students simulated a long-duration voyage as part of the NASA Deep Space Food Challenge. The Simunauts operated and maintained novel food production technologies designed by four U.S. companies to withstand the rigors of space travel. Food items produced are intended to supplement ready-to-eat meals on longer missions. Trained on the new tech by each competitor, Simunauts could only message technicians if they ran into any issues, just like a real space mission. To learn how students gained invaluable research skills from an out-of-this-world culinary quest, visit go.osu.edu/space-food.

  5. Power up your farm with solar

    Thinking about tapping into the natural power of the sun and integrating solar panels into your operation? OSU Extension’s Energize Ohio website offers resources and information to help you make the choice. Solar energy can reduce electricity bills and increase efficiency to optimize farm operations, and on-farm panels can even provide shade for grazing animals. Explore the solar electric investment analysis series, videos, and webinars to determine if solar is right for your operation: go.osu.edu/farm-solar.

  6. Get energized Ohio

    Navigate the ever-evolving energy landscape in Ohio with valuable resources from Energize Ohio. You’ll find a variety of research-based information, tools, and programs from OSU Extension’s Energy Outreach Program. Understand how policy and technology play a role in Ohio’s energy future, and learn about energy trends and critical issues that could impact your home and farm. Energize Ohio offers calculators and decision support tools to explore the feasibility of adding renewable energy to your operation. Estimate how much energy you could produce and the potential performance of small photovoltaic installations: go.osu.edu/energy-tools.