CFAES Connect: April 2018

Ohio 4-H and CFAES could really use your help in winning a competition that will bring funds for STEM education and leadership training to thousands of Ohio youth. We're asking all alumni and friends to promote the national Raise Your Hand for 4-H campaign before May 15.

May 15 is the deadline for this national competition to see which state can have the most people raise their hands for 4-H youth.  A few tips:

• If you raised your hand last year, you can do so again!
• You can participate if you are a 4-H volunteer or alum or even just a friend / admirer of 4-H.  The addition of friends of 4-H is new this year! 
• Please spread the word to friends, family, and coworkers.  Some companies and organizations have agreed to promote the campaign for us as well.  If you have a connection to help spread the word, email the Ohio 4-H Foundation.
• The winning state gets $20,000 to support youth programming.  Ohio 4-H will divvy the entire winnings between the top 35 counties with the most hands raised.
• We won this contest last year, and we REALLY want to win again.
  
  Raise your hand here and be sure to spread the word to friends and family.

Here are some interesting events coming up that we thought you might like:

Ohio State Day at Cedar Point - May 4 - Sandusky, Ohio
Join your fellow Buckeyes for an exclusive opportunity to take over Cedar Point.  Enjoy over 150 rides, shows and attractions including 18 roller coasters, three kids’ areas, a mile-long beach and so much more.  Order tickets here. 

EPN Breakfast: Perspectives on the Maple Industry Through the Lens of Forestry, Business, and Policy Development - May 8 - Columbus, Ohio
Network with environmental professionals, alumni and students while learning from a diverse panel of experts who will share about the historical coverage of maples and projections for this family of trees within a changing climate.  Register here.

Chadwick Arboretum Annual Spring Plant Sale & Auction - May 10 to 12 - Columbus, Ohio
Come and support the beautiful Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens and beautify your own lawn too!  The first night is for members, and the next two are open to the general public.  More information here.

Plant Discovery Day - May 12 - Wooster, Ohio
A premier plant and art sale supporting arboretum programing - research, education, outreach, and natural beauty. Learn more here. 

CFAES Alumni Society Scholarship Fundraiser - May 23 - Columbus, Ohio
A gathering at Land Grant Brewing with a purpose. Ten percent of every drink purchased will support scholarships for students in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences! Enjoy a great beer and do some good at the exact same time!  More details here.

Family Fun at Disneyland - May 26 - Anaheim, California
Ohio State’s family and friends are coming together for the first time to experience Disneyland with all those who share our Buckeye spirit. All are welcome!  This event is organized by the Ohio State Alumni Association.  Register here. 

Adam Bennett, who earned his BS in Agribusiness and Applied Economics in 2013, shares how much he appreciated his unique college job:

I held several part-time jobs while I was in college, but my favorite, by far, was working for the OSU Farm Science Review at the Molly Caren Ag Center in London, Ohio. It was a little unconventional in terms of campus jobs since we travelled the 30 minutes from campus to work each day, but it was incredibly rewarding. I was part of a team that worked year-round, behind the scenes to implement one of the largest farm shows in the country that annually draws over 100,000 visitors. The flexibility to work around class schedules meant that I could work as much or as little as I wanted so I didn’t have to worry about it interfering with my studies. I was able to make some great friends and earn some money for all those Cane’s trips, all while working with brand new equipment and being exposed to some scholarship opportunities as well. I liked working with the FSR staff so much that I still go back each fall and help prepare for the show.

Cassie Reed graduates next week with a dregree in agronomy.  She shared her Farm Science Review memory as well:

One of my favorite job memories is the few weeks leading up to the shows at FSR where we have lunches and dinners and everyone gets together.

Mike Simpson, a 1968 graduate of the Animal Sciences program, told us about his work in the beef cattle barn.

I worked as a student laborer at the beef cattle barn for all 4 years of my education at OSU except for one quarter.  The herdsman at the time was Curt Balthaser, and Dr. George Wilson  was the faculty supervisor for the herd.  OSU had a strong previous reputation breeding Angus with a bull called O Bardoliermere 2. 

The job was a very worthwhile experience and good rounding of my education.  Pay for the job was $0.25  an hour, and the end of my 4 years made it to $1.75. 

I do think my OSU experience and that of my summer job with a registered cattle herd in KY did get me a full assistantship at Penn State for my Masters degree.

As a senior, one afternoon I was working in the cattle barn and a reporter from the Lantern called about doing a story on a woman who was fitting a heifer for the spring Little International Show.  He was interested in the angle because she wasn’t an agricultural student.  He asked me to tell her to epect him, but she thought I was joking.  Since she wouldn’t believe me, I made a bet that the reporter would arrive for the story and pictures.  If I was wrong, I would go back and kiss an ole Brown Swiss cow on the lips.  But if the reporter did come, she would go out with me on a date. 

I of course won the bet and the date.  I also remember that she placed pretty high in the Little International!  I won the beef showmanship that year.