CD Weekly Wire - September 9, 2013

AD Update:

Final Galaxy Prep . . .

Many of us will be attending the Galaxy Conference next week in Pittsburgh. Thanks to Rose Merkowitz, we have an attendee list that tells us who is traveling when. You may want to refer to it and identify possible carpooling partners if you have not already. I look forward to seeing many of you present your posters and/or papers and hope your last minute preparations are coming along as planned. 

October 15-16 Retreat Prep . . .

Four weeks after the dust settles from Galaxy, we’ll be getting together for a two-day program retreat October 15-16 at the new Cuyahoga County Extension Office (5320 Stanard Avenue, Cleveland). The planning team comprised of Marie Barni, Brian Raison, and Godwin Apaliyah has put together an agenda that promises a variety of activities designed to inspire, educate, and motivate. We have also built in time for team building and for program teams to advance their work. 

I know the next few weeks will be an especially busy time but want to enable you to begin thinking about the retreat homework which includes:

  • Short proposal presentations from the Collaboration, Funding, and Marketing committee leaders
  • Past year progress updates and plans of work for next year from the Strategic Planning/Leadership, Local Foods, Energize Ohio, and BR&E program teams
  • Your thoughts on questions posed to Director Keith Smith when we met April 3 in the Ag Admin Auditorium:
  1. What does Extension in Ohio look like (number of and types of people, programs, etc.) five and ten years from now?
  2. In what areas(s) do you see Community Development focusing five and ten years from now?
  3. What is your vision for serving residents in urban Ohio, especially given both capacity limitations and increased interest in Extension by legislators representing metropolitan areas?
  4. What more can the CD unit do to solicit funding to support current and additional positions? What financial avenues (beyond those currently being tapped) are viable options of financial support?
  5. Being the smallest program area in terms of FTEs, what can we do to ensure vacated positions are re-filled?
  6. What is the ideal ratio of county-funded educators to field and/or state specialists in CD?

Expect to see more details in your e-mail inbox in the coming days and weeks.

CFAES Advisory Committees . . .

Finally, the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (FAES) hopes to better understand the scope and makeup of the many advisory committees serving the needs of FAES employees. As such, if your efforts are supported in some way by a formal committee, we need to hear from you by Thursday, September 12. Please send the name of the committee and its current membership (first and last name will be sufficient) to odrumsky.1@osu.edu. If you have any questions regarding this request, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

Farm Foundation Forum: Delivery of High-Speed Internet Services to Rural America - September 11:

On September 11, the Farm Foundation Forum will examine issues on the delivery of high-speed internet services to rural America. This Forum will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. EDT at the National Press Club. A free webcast will also be offered, which means you can participate in the discussion live regardless of your location. Register at: visualwebcaster.com/. The webcast will be archived for those unable to view the live event.

Iowa farmer Ann Jorgensen, a former member of the Board of the Farm Credit Administration, will moderate this Forum. Panelists are:

  • Sharon Strover, the Philip G. Warner Regents Professor in Communication and former Chair of the Radio-TV-Film Department at the University of Texas. She is one of authors of Rural Broadband Availability and Adoption; Evidence Policy Challenges and Options, a report commissioned by the Regional Rural Development Center's National Agricultural and Rural Development Policy Center (NARDeP).
  • Jessica Zufolo, Deputy Administrator of USDA's Rural Utilities Service, on the challenges of advancing broadband access to rural communities.
  • Mark Lewellen, manager of Spectrum Advocacy, Deere and Company, who will discuss broadband use by agriculture.
  • John Windhausen, Executive Director of Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB), examining broadband needs of rural communities and schools.

Each panelist will have about 10 minutes to present, after which the floor will be opened for discussion.

Non-profit Organization founded by Former Felons Subject of Lecture - September 17:

The Bell National Resource Center is hosting a presentation by Townsand Price-Spratlen, associate professor of sociology, on Tuesday, September 17, at 6:00 p.m. in the MLK Lounge of the Hale Black Cultural Center (154 W. 12th Avenue). The presentation is based on his research and work with a non-profit organization, founded by former felons that have improved the life outcomes of former felons, their families, and communities. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP at: suddeth.1@osu.edu.

New and Improved Rural Data Portal - Introduction Webinar September 18:

The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) has updated its Rural Data Portal Beta. It is now a simple, easy-to-use, on-line resource that provides essential information on the social, economic, and housing characteristics of communities in the United States. The Rural Data Portal (www.ruraldataportal.org) provides over 350 data indictors for your community. Most of the information provided comes from HAC tabulations of the 2010 Census of Population and Housing, the American Community Survey (ACS), and Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Data.

Join HAC for a webinar introduction and overview of the Rural Data Portal on Wednesday, September 18, from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Click here to register.

Sign-up to become a Beta Tester for the Rural Data Portal and receive useful tips, guides, and insights, while helping provide valuable feedback.

Critical Difference Professional Development Grant Applications due September 26:

Professional Development and Women of Color Advancement Grants are available for women faculty and staff continuously employed by Ohio State for at least one year and for women students (graduate/professional students with a 3.0 GPA and undergraduates with a 2.5 GPA). Grants can be used for professional development activities, research, etc. Significant financial need is a key consideration. Applications are due Thursday, September 26, and are available online at: criticaldifference.osu.edu.

Glenn School Leadership Forum - September 27:

The 2013 Glenn School Leadership Forum will take place on Friday, September 27, at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Former Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives Jo Ann Davidson will deliver the keynote address in the morning and Sen. John Glenn will lead a conversation during lunch between senators Portman and Brown on issues they are facing in Washington. The forum is designed for alumni, students, and individuals working in the public management field and provides professional development sessions in public policy, administration, and leadership that are both practical and insightful for leaders in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. Cost is $125. For complete information, including agenda and registration, visit: glennschool.osu.edu/rocket/.

ANROP Fall Outing - October 10:

The Association of Natural Resource Outreach Professionals (ANROP) is inviting all Extension employees to join their annual Fall Outing in the Hocking Hills on October 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The program includes OSU Extension Forestry Specialist Dave Apsley with an update on the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid invasive and a nature hike with Hocking Hills naturalist Pat Quackenbush. Lunch will be served at the lodge near Old Man's Cave. Registration is free, and more information and details will follow. Joe Bonnell (bonnell.8@osu.edu or 292-9383), ANROP President, is the contact.

Rural Education National Forum - October 31-November 1:

The Rural Education National Forum: Connecting Schools, Jobs & Communities for Rural Prosperity will be held October 31 through November 1 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The forum is designed to connect and strengthen collaborative rural education and prosperity efforts across the country, highlight powerful instructional and leadership practices in rural districts, focus strategic conversations around rural opportunities and challenges with national and local experts, and build a network of collaborative action. Complete information can be found in the brochure, including who should attend, keynote speaker bios, and the registration link. Registration deadline is October 18.

Assuring Quality Care for Animals Signature Program In-Service - November 4:

The Assuring Quality Care for Animals Signature Program In-Service will be held Monday, November 4, at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. Please hold the date and plan to attend this in-service that will offer sessions relevant to all Extension program areas with respect to quality assurance, food safety, and animal care/welfare. Application to OSUE Community Development includes local foods, farmer’s markets, urban agriculture, and growth in businesses evolving around the pet industry. Additional information and registration materials will be available the first of October. Lucinda Miller (614.292.7453 or miller.78@osu.edu) and Paul Kuber (614-247-8305 or kuber.2@osu.edu) are co-leaders. Visit the program web site at: agnr.osu.edu/qualitycareforanimals.

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SCHOLARLY / CREATIVE / OPPORTUNITIES:

REMINDER . . . NCRCRD FY13-14 Policy Projects - Call for Proposals due September 12:

The North Central Regional Center for Rural Development has announced a call for FY 13-14 policy projects. These are single- or multiple-investigator projects, and must be led by personnel from a land grant institution within the 12 North Central States. Land grant graduate students and others not employed by land-grants may join a project led by an eligible land grant employee. All projects should plan on starting in November 2013 and submitting a first draft by March 1. Webinars will be scheduled upon final approval of the other outputs.

Suggested Topics (one per proposal, multiple proposals from the same individual are permitted), with a maximum of $15K budget per proposal, are:

  • Land Tenure in the Upper Midwest (12 North Central States)
  • Land Tenure in Tribal Areas (12 North Central States)
  • Community Impacts of Non-Fuel Mining in the Upper Midwest (12 North Central States)
  • Alternative Funding for Food Systems Development
  • Rural Skills Gap in the Upper Midwest (12 North Central States)
  • Opportunities and Threats of Low River Levels in the Upper Midwest
  • Rural Schools-Best Practices in a Changing Environment

Proposals should be received no later than September 12. Email proposals to Scott Loveridge (loveridge2@msu.edu) and use “NCRCRD Special Project Proposal” in the subject line. Click here for complete information, including guidelines, detailed explanation of topics, and cover page.

OSU Extension Annual Conference Proposals due September 25:

Share your bright ideas with your colleagues at the OSU Extension Annual Conference on December 4 at the Ohio Union. Session (half and full) and poster proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25. Click here for an overview and complete submission instructions. Be sure to read all of the instructions BEFORE you go to the website to submit. Note that there is a registration process for RFPs this year. This year’s theme is “Moving Forward, Looking Back: A celebration of history and possibility.”

BETHA Grant Competition - Call for Proposals due November 26:

Ohio State full-time faculty are invited to apply for the annual Battelle Engineering, Technology, and Human Affairs (BETHA) Endowment awards. The annual grant competition, established in 1975 with a gift from Battelle Memorial Institute, funds three to six projects that examine the impact of science and technology on individuals and society. Strong emphasis is placed on educational and public service programs rather than pure research. Awards range from $10,000 to $60,000. The deadline for submission of proposals is Tuesday, November 26. For complete information, visit: research.osu.edu/researchers/funding/betha/.

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REMINDERS / UPDATES / NEWS:

CD Quarterly News Articles due September 13:

Please send your articles and other noteworthy items for the fall issue of the CD Quarterly News to Sandy (odrumsky.1@osu.edu) by Friday, September 13. Articles (and photos) should cover local and regional issues being addressed in partnership with local officials. We are looking for overviews or specific details of your programs, as well as recent and/or upcoming program news, and what you have done and what is planned in teaching, curriculum, conferences, etc. The audience for this newsletter is all-Extension as well as external clientele. Also, if you have any upcoming events (scheduled after October 1), please give us the details and any links/documents for further information. Summaries and photos of recent events are also welcome.

ESP 'Excellence in Extension Award' Nominations due September 27:

The annual Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP) Excellence in Extension Award recognizes a superior Extension educator with a cash award of $1,000, plus the addition of $1,000 to the base salary. This award recognizes the importance of teaching, research, and service to Extension programming and will serve as an incentive for Extension advancement. Nominations can be submitted by faculty, staff, clientele, or emeriti. Any Extension employee who is a current member of JCEP and ESP is eligible for this award, which can be received only once.

To nominate someone, complete the nomination form, including examples of excellence in teaching, research, and service as well as a nomination letter. Submit nominations by September 27 to Travis West (west.222@osu.edu), OSU Extension, Vinton County, PO Box 473, McArthur, OH 45651.

2013 OSU Tax Schools Registration now Open:

OSU Extension will be offering the 50th Annual OSU Income Tax Schools in November and December at eight convenient locations throughout Ohio. These schools are designed for tax preparers with some experience preparing and filing federal tax returns for individuals and small businesses. Instruction focuses on tax law changes and on the problems faced in preparing tax returns. Highly qualified instructors will explain and interpret tax regulations and recent changes in tax laws. The two-day schools offer continuing education credit for attorneys, CPAs, EAs and CFPs. On-line registration is now open at: go.osu.edu/taxschools. Hard-copy brochures including a registration form will be available in approximately three weeks. Please share and promote this year’s tax schools. Contact Larry R. Gearhardt (gearhardt.5@osu.edu or 614-292-2433), Field Specialist, Taxation, if you have questions.

Discovery Themes Initiative - Request for Proposals being Developed:

Last year Ohio State launched the Discovery Themes Initiative, a ten-year, multi-million dollar investment that will help attract new tenured and tenure-track faculty in the Discovery Theme areas of Energy and Environment, Food Production and Security, and Health and Wellness. A two-stage RFP process is now being developed. The first stage will be implemented this fall, the second in early 2014. For more information, visit: discovery.osu.edu.

ARC Notes now Available:

The September 2013 edition of Administrative Research Council (ARC) Notes is now available. Some of the updates for this month include:

  • Details about the Research Expo on Tuesday, September 24
  • Upcoming educational programs and events
  • News and updates for the research administration community 

To view this latest edition, visit: go.osu.edu/arcnotes.

Articles/Recordings of Interest:

Expanded Ohio State, CFAES Brand Guidelines now Available (CFAES Monthly)

Kramer to Lead Industry Liaison Office (Office of Research News)

Ohioans Urged to Join Ohio Saves Program (CFAES News)

Ohio Boaters Asked to Help Stop New Invasive Water Weed (CFAES News)

Growers: Make Voice Heard on Proposed Produce Safety Rule (CFAES News)

Webinar Recordings: 'Science Behind Aquatic Invasive Plants' and 'Building a Better Water Garden' (Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Channel - YouTube)

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OSU Extension CD Mission Statement:

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


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Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration; Associate Dean, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences; Director, Ohio State University Extension; and Gist Chair in Extension Education and Leadership.

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