CD Wire - November 2, 2020

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

AD Update:

-David Civittolo, Interim Assistant Director

A season to fall back . . .

Over the weekend, we changed from Eastern Daylight Time to Eastern Standard Time. For many of us, the opportunity to gain an ‘extra hour’ of sleep is met with excitement.

So, I ask you, if you had an extra hour a day every day, what would you do with it? For me, I would use the time to have fun and relax while forgetting about ‘real’ life for a while. 

Zoom fatigue

I know we are all experiencing Zoom fatigue. To combat it, I have tried to be more protective of my schedule. I have not always been successful, but simply being aware of too many Zooms has helped me adjust. I also read an article recently and thought some of the tips might be useful:

  1. establish ‘no meeting’ time blocks
  2. designate a meeting-free day OR establish one day a week for all meetings
  3. say ‘No’ to Zooms that aren’t valuable
  4. reduce Zooms by using text-based communications
  5. always have an agenda
  6. schedule breaks
  7. make meetings shorter
  8. hide ‘self-view’
  9. avoid multitasking
  10. schedule screen-free time

Congratulations are in order

Associate professor and field specialist Brian Raison co-authored a journal article in the Journal of Extension titled: "We (All) Need to Talk About Race: Building Extension's Capacity for Dialogue and Action." The article can be found here.  

Associate professor and field specialist Eric Romich is part of a team that received a $400,000 USDA grant that will study energy conservation of advanced livestock ventilation systems with real-time energy data. Eric is collaborating with Chris Zoller, associate professor and ANR educator, Tuscarawas County, and colleagues from FABE and the University of Kentucky.

2021 Open Enrollment is November 1 - 15

2021 Open Enrollment began November 1 and ends Sunday, November 15. All elections made during Open Enrollment are effective January 1, 2021.

To assist employees during a time of economic uncertainty, the decision was made by the university for the 2021 plan year that rates for Ohio State’s benefit plans will be kept at the same level as 2020. This does not include rates for COBRA coverage. However, there are some changes for 2021. Questions? Contact HR Connection via hrconnection@osu.edu or 614-247-myHR (6947).

Interim Director Wilkins' Video Update

The next Interim Director’s Video Update will be held on Friday, November 6, at 10 a.m.

Registration is required and ends TODAY. Register here. You will receive a confirmation email with log-in information. You may need to log into Zoom first, then click on the individualized link in your registration confirmation to access the webinar. 

Meet Scott Hardy, Extension Educator, Ohio Sea Grant College Program

Scott Is housed in Cleveland and focuses on watershed management, specifically Lake Erie. He recently completed several research projects focusing on reducing plastic pollution in the environment.

As Scott mentions below, if you are on a Zoom with him, you may notice the guitars in his background. Ask him to play one of them before the meeting starts!

Have a great week and remember: "A team is not a group of people that work together. A team is a group of people that trust each other." -Simon Senek

*****************************************************************************

CD Professional FEATURE:

Getting to know Scott Hardy, PhD,
Extension educator,
Ohio Sea Grant College Program

Scott Hardy, PhD, Extension educator, Ohio Sea Grant College Program
Located at:

Case Western Reserve University
210 A&W Smith Hall
10900 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7028

Program focus:
  • Climate resilience planning

  • Collaborative watershed management

  • Cuyahoga River Area of Concern

  • Nonpoint source pollution

  • Plastic marine debris

About Scott:

Prior to joining Ohio Sea Grant in 2015, I gained experience in a variety of different roles related to natural resource management and community development. I completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Geography from Ohio University, a Master of Professional Studies in Natural Resources from Cornell University, and a PhD in Environment and Natural Resources from The Ohio State University. I also served as an agricultural extension agent with the U.S. Peace Corps in Honduras and later joined the faculty at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD, where I was Chair of the Environmental Studies Department. Most recently, I spent two years as Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Adjunct Professor of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH, before returning to my research and educational interests with Ohio Sea Grant. 

When not working I enjoy hiking, fishing, and exploring the great outdoors. If we have been on a Zoom call together, you have probably seen my guitars hanging on the wall behind me. I love going to concerts and making music with friends. I also enjoy traveling, and look forward to getting back on the road soon. Currently I live in northeast Ohio with my wife, young daughter, and Yellow Labrador Retriever, Doc, not far from the Lake Erie coast.

Scott's Work:

Much of my work focuses on collaborative watershed management in the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern. The Cuyahoga River is one of 43 Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOC) that have experienced environmental degradation, fail to meet Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) standards, and are impaired in their ability to support aquatic life or beneficial uses. The GLWQA requires that each AOC identify Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs) and their causes, develop restoration criteria, implement and monitor remedial measures, and confirm that restoration is achieved. To help lead the restoration efforts in Cleveland, I serve as Chair of Public Outreach and Education on the Cuyahoga River AOC Advisory Committee, for which I have been a member since January 2016. My role is to help interpret and relay scientific information about the AOC to the public and bring the needs of the public to the attention of the advisory committee. The committee then develops strategic priorities for removing existing BUIs and delisting the AOC and advises Ohio EPA on implementing such strategies.

Another of my focus areas deals with plastic marine debris. I have partnered with fellow Sea Grant educator Jill Bartolotta to examine the barriers and benefits to positive behavior for three plastic debris items in northeast Ohio’s Lake Erie basin: plastic bags, plastic water bottles, and plastic cigar tips. We administered an online survey and focus group to gather data on the use and disposal of these plastic items in the Cleveland-Elyria Metropolitan Statistical Area (CEMSA), which includes Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, and Medina Counties, and to solicit recommendations on how to affect positive behavior change. The results were used by the City of Cleveland to develop a social marketing campaign designed to support environmentally conscious behaviors regarding the use and proper disposal of plastic waste.

The last area where I concentrate my efforts is climate resiliency and coastal storms. I conducted a storm hazards vulnerability index of northeast Ohio communities that identifies the areas that are most vulnerable to severe storms. I then worked to educate the public and prepare residents for storm hazards that have caused severe damage in the past, such as flooding and riverine erosion. This research has led me to explore the promise of green infrastructure (GI) for reducing stormwater runoff at coastal marinas. For this project, Sarah Orlando from Ohio Sea Grant and I are partnering with the Ohio Clean Marinas Program, Michigan Sea Grant, Wisconsin Sea Grant, and The Ohio State University to create a website and Decision Support Tool (DST). The DST will educate marina owners and operators about GI and help to inform decision-making about stormwater mitigation in coastal areas.

I feel very lucky to live in my hometown and be able to conduct applied research on Lake Erie and its coastline. I also appreciate the opportunity to talk about my projects and all of the great work Ohio Sea Grant and OSU Extension are doing to improve water quality and protect coastal ecosystems. If you ever want to chat about our Great Lake or the mighty Cuyahoga, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

You can reach Scott at hardy.116@osu.edu or 216-368-2588.
Our next feature will spotlight Gwynn Stewart,
educator, CD,
OSU Extension-Noble County.

*****************************************************************************

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

Microsoft Teams Training - November 5:

Microsoft Teams Training On Thursday, November 5 at 2 p.m., join members of the OSU Extension Learning and Organizational Development Unit (LOD) for a Microsoft Teams Training. 

This training will review some basic skills and helpful tips in MS Teams. This 60-minute training will be recorded and posted to the LOD website for future reference. If you have any questions you would like answered during the training, please email ShaLise Simmons (simmons.761). Registration is required. Register here.

Midwest Climate Summit Continues - November 6 and 20:

Join the continuation of Think Tanks at the Midwest Climate Summit, co-hosted by Ohio State, on November 6 and 20, leading up to a large spring culminating event. Attend to add your input, expand climate knowledge, accelerate climate action, and catalyze new partnerships that deepen expertise and develop a Midwestern response to the climate crisis. And encourage students to get involved in student-focused content including the Climate Stories Contest, an arts initiative competition; the Student System Conference with action-oriented conversations about sustainability efforts and challenges on our campus and in our community; and a Virtual Job and Networking Fair. Contact: Gina Langen (langen.2@osu.edu). About the summit.

Launching Power of Home Webinar - November 10:

Launching the Power of Home Join Dr. Stephanie Moulton, Project Lead, as she discusses how a simple discussion with community and nonprofit partners lead to an innovative and dynamic solution to support Ohio’s first-time and first-generation homeowners.

This Zoom webinar will take place on November 10 at 11 a.m. Click here to register and learn more about Alliance for the American Dream.

Grant Writing 101 Virtual Lunch & Learn - November 10:

grant writing Thinking about writing a grant?

OSU Extension Community Development educators from Noble (Gwynn Stewart) and Medina and Lorain (Kyle White) counties will host a free Grant Writing 101 Virtual Lunch & Learn on November 10 from Noon to 1 p.m. Bring your lunch to your computer or telephone and join in to learn the basics. The Lunch & Learn will cover organizational mission and structures needed; the elements of a successful proposal; tips for finding funding options and more. Learn more about another more in-depth program coming soon as well.

RSVP to Gwynn Stewart (740-305-3177 or stewart.1818@osu.edu) by November 9 to receive the virtual Zoom link or phone-in information. Complete information can be found here.

CFAES offers Sessions of Interest to the Research Community:

The CFAES Office for Research & Graduate Education offers sessions throughout the year and compiles other opportunities, offered through various internal and external sources, that may be of interest to the research community. View a full list of events here.

  • November 17 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. - Cost-sharing on Sponsored Programs
    Review of how to budget cost-sharing in proposals, gain approval from the department and college, and book cost-sharing after an award is made.

Stand Up, Speak Out and be an Active Bystander - November 17:

Anyone can become an active bystander and learn to address explicit and implicit bias. In this two-hour, interactive webinar, some of the most common forms of bias and identifying tools you can use as an active bystander to interrupt bias in daily life will be explored. Open to Ohio State students, staff, and faculty. Read more and register.

ACEL to Extension - Next Session November 19:

ACEL to Extension Please join the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership for their series ACEL to Extension.

This series is offered directly for Extension personnel by ACEL faculty. For more information, visit go.osu.edu/ACELtoExtension. Below is the list of remaining topics, with direct links to registration. You must register for each session individually. Each session will start at 9 a.m. and last approximately 60 minutes.

Join the Ag Safety & Health Team - Next Meeting November 19:

Educators from all disciplines are welcome to join the Ag Safety & Health Team - with an overall goal of having representation from other program teams. In past years, Safety & Health has been incorporated into the ANR Teams, and this can still hold true. However, with the growing amount of work to be done in this area, a larger Ag Safety Team is being formed to complement and multiply the efforts of the current staff working in this discipline. Within FCS they work with Sun Safety, Stress/mental Health, and Fitness; within 4-H they work with Health & Safety Officer resources, tractor certification, and farm safety day camps. Within CD there is the area of emergency management planning (among other topics). Collaboration allows everyone to do more.

The team meets every third Thursday of the month from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The next two meetings, November 19 and December 17, will work on identifying the Plan of Work for 2021. If you have an interest in a particular subject matter (i.e., youth farm safety, farmer health and fitness, occupational health, farm stress, etc.) you will be valuable to the team. Likewise, if you have an interest in applied research in Ag Safety and Health, there are current grant (and future grant) opportunities for you to be involved. 

If you are interested to join, but can't make the first two meetings, let Dee Jepsen (jepsen.4@osu.edu or 614-292-6008) know and she will keep you informed with the minutes. She will also send you the Qualtrics form for you to identify your interest area and/or program ideas. Here is the link to the Zoom meetings:

https://osu.zoom.us/j/7060089739
Password: SAFETY

Dial by your location
        +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 706 008 9739
Password: 065350

Land Use Actions Series - Next Seminar November 19:

Land Use Actions Seminar Series You are invited to a virtual brown bag lunch seminar series.

All seminars will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. Click here to reserve your spot now. View the flyer for speaker information on the following seminars:

  • November 19 - Land Use Actions: Tools and Solutions
  • December 3 - Land Use Actions: Housing and Open Space

Learn more about balanced land use – making connections across agriculture, economic development, open space, housing, and urban development. This is your opportunity to hear a variety of perspectives and be part of the conversation to help create solutions. There is no fee for participating.

10th Annual Ohio Food Policy Summit + Ohio Local Food Council Workshop - November 16 -17:

Ohio Food Policy Network The 10th Annual Ohio Food Policy Summit will be held virtually on Monday, November 16, and the Ohio Local Food Council Workshop will be held Tuesday November 17. 

The summit and workshop are being hosted by the Ohio Food Policy Network (OFPN) and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. The summit is open to all who want to see a strong regional food system in Ohio. Be sure to join the OFPN network or visit the website for complete information and to register.

Digital Accessibility Skills Training available in BuckeyeLearn:

Learn to develop accessible digital products through Digital Accessibility Skills Training now available in BuckeyeLearn. Courses include accessibility training for documents, PDFs, presentations, websites, and more. Enhance your accessibility expertise and take a course today. Additionally, if you have been assigned the Digital Accessibility Policy training in BuckeyeLearn, please complete it by December 31. Read more.

*****************************************************************************

SCHOLARLY / CREATIVE / OPPORTUNITIES:

Ohio CARES Act - New Funding Available:

On October 23 Governor Mike DeWine announced $429.5M in CARES Act funding will be distributed as a relief package addressing several key areas that have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch the announcement here

Small Business Relief:

  • $125M to establish Small Business Relief Grant program providing grants to eligible small businesses
    • The Small Business Relief Program will provide $10K to eligible businesses, with no more than 25 employees
    • can be used for a variety of business-related expenses including salary, worker health care premiums, supplies, equipment, mortgage/rent payments and more
    • $44M set aside so all 88 counties get at least 50 businesses in each county
    • Businesses that complete the application, meet criteria, and submit will be eligible, on a first come/first serve basis.
    • Apply online beginning November 2 – businesshelp.ohio.gov
  • $37.5M to the Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund
    • Focused on the locally owned community biz
    • In addition, may apply for each of the relief funds - the Small Business Relief funding and the Restaurants and Bars Fund
    • Eligible businesses will receive $2500, distributed to eligible businesses with on-premises consumption permits including bars, restaurants, distilleries, etc.
    • Must have an active permit as of October 23
    • To be eligible, restaurants or bars Do Not have to be currently open, but do have to have an active license
    • More information available – businesshelp.ohio.gov 

The CARES Act funding will also help with critical services and everyday help for Ohio residents who are negatively impacted by the coronavirus crisis.

  • $62M funding relief to rural and critical access hospitals
  • $50M relief program for Ohio residents to access rental, mortgage, water, and or sewer utility assistance
  • $100M for higher education sites to be used for critical services, including targeting student mental health needs and COVID testing
  • $25M for non-profits
  • $20M to support arts in Ohio

For additional details, visit businesshelp.ohio.gov for the latest up-to-date information.

ArcGIS StoryMaps Showcase - Entries due November 13:

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to submit a story map to showcase their work and highlight the variety of mapping and GIS projects happening across our institution. If you or a student has a project to be highlighted, consider submitting to the StoryMap Showcase. Submissions could be viewed across multiple academic institutions and by potential employers in the Ohio area. Your story map can be based on a research project, class assignment, or original concept. Submit your entry by November 13. Read more.

EDEN Development Grants Program Applications due December 4 / Informational Webinar November 4:

Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) The Purdue FADI Team has developed a grant program to invest in the development of innovative educational resources and Extension initiatives that can advance the work of the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) and the broader land-grant and sea-grant systems across the nation in addressing the preparation for, response to, and recovery from hazards and disasters.

Applications for the EDEN Development Grants Program will be accepted through December 4. Awardees are eligible for up to $35,000 in funds. More information on the grant program can be found here.
 
The Purdue FADI Team will host an informational Zoom webinar about the EDEN grant opportunity from 3 to 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 4. Interested individuals and teams are encouraged to attend. Register for the webinar here

Kellogg Community Engagement Scholarship Award - Ohio State Nominations due December 11:

Apply to be Ohio State’s nominee for the Kellogg Community Engagement Scholarship Award. The Office of Outreach and Engagement is seeking applications from community engagement programs for the internal process to select Ohio State’s nominee for the 2021 W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Engagement Scholarship Award. The award, from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and the Engagement Scholarship Consortium, recognizes extraordinary community engagement initiatives. Applications are due December 11. Read more

Sustainability Research Seed Grant Program Pre-Proposals due December 16:

Sustainability Institute The Sustainability Institute announces the request for pre-proposals for the FY2021 Sustainability Research Seed Grant Program to build capacity in sustainability and resilience research at Ohio State.

The grants support new interdisciplinary research teams that lay a foundation for convergence research. Pre-proposals are due December 16. Information for the pre-proposal RFP.

*****************************************************************************

REMINDERS / UPDATES / NEWS:

Update Personal Information for Workday Launch:

Ohio State will use Workday, a new administrative technology, to manage employee information beginning January 3. In preparation for Workday, please update your personal information in Employee Self Service by December 11. By ensuring details such as home address, phone number, and email are correct, your information will be accurate when Workday goes live. For a full list of important deadlines to help prepare for a smooth transition to Workday, please review the online calendar.

BuckeyeBox Migration - Additional Information:

By now you have heard that BuckeyeBox is retiring. While some records should be migrated to OneDrive or Teams, many records in Box have met retention and should be deleted. Our goal during this clean-up and migration is to retain what we need, to dispose of what is permissible, and do it while staying in compliance with state records laws. If records are past retention, submit a Certificate of Records Destruction for authorization to delete them. However, if the retention schedule requires certain records to continue to be maintained, they should be migrated. Retention schedules can be found here. OCIO will move your files. Instructional Phase August 2020 - January 2021; Moving Phase October 2020 - May 2021; Shutdown Phase April 2021 - June 2021.

When you are cleaning out your BuckeyeBox files, please note that it is important to remove spaces in and to condense file/folder names. Spaces are frequently translated in a Web environment to be read as “%20” and underscores are lost in hyperlinking and underlining. Refer to the File Naming Guidelines for further details.

Articles/Publications of Interest:

CFAES News:

Research News (November 2020)

Ohio Sea Grant eNewsletter (October 2020)

South Centers Connection Newsletter (Fall 2020)

InFACT and CDFA collaborate to transform Ohio's food systems (Discovery Themes)

The Drop (NCRWN eNewsletter - October 2020)

© 2020, OSU Extension Community Development, 3 Agricultural Administration Building, 2120 Fyffe Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1010 / 614-292-6232

This page is maintained by: OSU Extension Community Development.

If you have trouble accessing this page and need to request an alternate format, contact extension-cd@osu.edu.

CFAES (College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences) provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. For more information: www.go.osu.edu/cfaesdiversity.