CD Wire - March 19, 2018

Mission Statement:
Ohio State University Extension
Community Development
helps communities enhance
their well-being.

AD Update:

-Greg Davis, Assistant Director


designEXT Update

If you have not already, I encourage you to make time to read Roger Rennekamp’s designEXT update message which was shared on the all-extension list last Wednesday (3/14/18). In addition to sharing the most up-to-date responses to frequently asked questions, he also reviews how the initiative aims to “enhance the organization’s ability to provide the people of Ohio with the type of high quality, relevant programming they expect and deserve.”

To date, resources have been aligned within a Learning and Organizational Development unit and a renewed focus on administrative operations support is being addressed by an Operations unit. You may have seen in announcements made earlier that Cindy Torppa and Jackie Wilkins have been named to lead these efforts.

The next phase of the initiative involves the identification of area leaders who will serve as the “operational guide, performance coach, and resource navigator” via an administrative appointment in addition to their county educator role. This component of designEXT works in tandem with the county office stewardship model which creates an environment where the responsibility for key county office functions are shared among individuals assigned to that county office.

I encourage you to take a look at Roger’s note and spend some time scanning the FAQs posted here. We will have time on the April 5 CD in-service agenda to discuss designEXT as well.

April 5 State CD In-service

I hope you are getting excited for our spring meeting to be held on April 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Ag Admin 250A. In addition to designEXT and conference planning discussions, this day will involve a get-acquainted/reacquainted visit with colleagues in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics. (NOTE: 250A is part of their recently renovated suite). In preparation for that conversation, please be thinking about your work and potential programmatic opportunities in these areas:

1. Environment – including: shale gas development, renewable energy, harmful algal blooms, climate change and carbon trading, recreation valuation, land use economics, sustainability

2. Regional development – including: economic growth, job creation, local government, policy impact analysis

3. International – including: trade, economic growth, insurance

Conversations with Brent Sohngen, AEDE Extension program leader, indicate that AEDE faculty and staff look forward to hearing more about our program interests and opportunities in these various areas. Come prepared to talk collaboration!

North Central Impact Reporting – Please Respond by April 6

Three cheers go to David Civittolo for being the first responder, now two years in a row. And, kudos go to Brian Raison for coming in a close second. Responses have been slow coming in, so please take a moment to contribute your data for Ohio’s contribution to the North Central Indicators Report for 2018.

Why do we do what may seem like ‘extra’ reporting? Extension’s North Central Region CD program leaders in collaboration with Rosa Soliz and Scott Loveridge of the NCRCRD collect state level data and generate a full report and executive summary that highlights changes in a number of common indicators across the 12-state region.

How do you participate? Please take a few minutes to provide figures that apply to your work (in some cases, well-informed estimates are the best we can do, and that is fine). You can enter your figures into the downloadable Excel file, save, and send to me (davis.1081@osu.edu). I’ll aggregate and send the Ohio report to be included in the larger North Central CD Program report.

Extension CD is Hiring!

I am excited to inform you that Extension has two full time educator openings to fill and could use your help. Noble CD and Brown CD/ANR are posted until April 1 and April 15, respectively. Please help promote these opportunities among your colleagues and various networks. Direct interested parties to me and/or to the postings:

Noble posting is #85234 - closes 4/1/18

Brown posting is #85229 - closes 4/15/18

Please note that an earned bachelor’s degree or master’s degree at the time of hire is required for both positions. Also, for each position, one field-based professional is invited to help with state screening duties. If you are interested in serving, please let me know by April 1. For Noble, one trip to campus on April 18 would be required. For Brown County, one trip to campus would be required on May 2.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

2018 Environmental Professionals Network Signature Event - April 16: 

The 2018 Environmental Professionals Network Signature Event, Sustainability through Reinvention, will be held at The Ohio Union on April 16 from 7 to 8:45 p.m. This event is free. 

The 2018 EPN Signature Event will explore the concept of sustainable supply chains through the lens of reinvention. Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva, Chief Reinvention Officer at WE EXIST Reinvention Agency, will introduce the need for “reinvention” to achieve an exceptionally sustainable supply chain. Then sustainability and supply chain professionals from three iconic companies (Patagonia, Owens Corning, and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams) will share how they are working to embed sustainability into their supply chains. Dr. Zhexembayeva will facilitate a deeper conversation with the panelists and audience participants about how to build reinvention and sustainability into social, economic and environmental systems. 

Click here for complete information, including registration and agenda.

National Farm to Cafeteria Conference Update - OHIO Farm to Cafeterial Pre-Conference & Policy Forum on April 25:

The following events are a great opportunity to get more involved in the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference in Cincinnati April 25-27. Register for the conference by April 9.

Ohio Farm to Cafeteria Pre-Conference & Policy Forum - April 25:

The forum is led by the Ohio Farm to School Leadership Team in partnership with Ohio State’s Initiative for Food and AgriCultural Transformation (InFACT) program. It is being held on April 25 from 3-8 p.m. at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati. The Ohio-focused event will actively engage the community in meaningful discussion about current and emerging issues, opportunities, challenges and barriers, and policy development related to serving local foods in schools.

Celebrate Ohio Days: My Plate, My State Dinner - April 25:

Learn what qualifies as a school lunch program meal through a locally-sourced meal.

 Register here to reserve your place today.

Ride the Shuttle Bus from Columbus to Cincinnati:

Ohio Farm to School is providing a shuttle bus for a small fee for conference participants from Columbus to the conference on April 25 & 26. The bus trip will eliminate the need to locate and pay for parking and will allow riders the chance to network, work, or rest along the route, rather than drive. The estimated savings is $118 in mileage and $20/day for parking per trip. The bus option will be offered to the Farm to School community members. You can choose your own departure and return time. Click here for details.

Navigating Difficult Conversations and Behaviors - May 14-16:

Navigating Difficult Conversations and Behaviors will be held May 14 at 5 p.m. through May 16 at 3 p.m. at Deer Creek State Park. As leaders, Extension professionals are frequently asked or required to guide difficult conversations and your skill and preparation can make the difference between success or frustration.

In this training participants will:

  • Learn what conflict is and the challenges and benefits it creates
  • Learn approaches to conflict and your personal conflict management style
  • Learn facilitation process skills to improve effectiveness in leading and managing groups
  • Learn about and practice personal management skills and strategies for when faced with difficult conversations and behaviors
  • Identify and practice conflict management skills and strategies

The cost is estimated at $77 single occupancy per night plus taxes and fees, as well as mileage. All other expenses are being covered by Extension Administration (over $800/participant total investment). The 50 mile exemption will be in effect due to the retreat nature of the training and remote location with participants expected to remain onsite throughout the training.

Twenty-four Extension professionals will be selected to participate in this professional development experience. The application can be found here and is due April 3. Notification of selection will be made by April 10. 

Real Colors® Training - May 15-17: 

Registration is now open for Real Colors® facilitator training, which will be held May 15-17 at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center.

The registration rate is currently $625 per person and includes three full days of facilitator training, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 20 adult or 30 youth instruments, and lunch all three days. When registering please use the dicount code OSU224. A free one-day refresher is also avaible to those who were trained in the past. For complete information click here or go to realcolors.org. 

Upcoming eXtension Web Sessions:

Visit eXtension Learn (learn.extension.org) to view and register for upcoming webinar sessions. Please share these events with others who may also be interested.

Topics include:

  • Programming for Clientele with Developmental Disabilities - Thursday, March 22 at 1 p.m.
  • From Science to Action: Evidence-based Programs for Nature & Health Communities - Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at 1 p.m. 
  • More Than Opioids: The Social Determinants of Drug Overdose and Related Despair in Rural and Small City America - Thursday, March 29 at 2 p.m.

Creating Stellar PowerPoint Presentations - Webinar Recording now Available:

The February 22nd NAEPSDP webinar recording on Creating Stellar PowerPoint Presentations is now available. Danae Wolfe presented.

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REMINDERS / UPDATES / NEWS:

University Senate Seeks New Committee Members: 

The University Senate invites all faculty to apply to serve on Senate committees. These 19 councils and committees deliberate on issues facing the university and work closely with administrative offices to advise on decisions that impact strategic directions. It is a great opportunity to help guide the university and to work with other faculty, students, staff and administrators in the spirit of shared governance. Indicate your committee preference in this survey.

Articles/Publications of Interest:

Weekly News Digest (CFAES information blog for faculty & staff)

Research News (March 2018)

Twine Line (Winter/Spring 2018)

Ohio State Mansfield Holds Food Symposium

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