CFAES Connect: February 2020

Save the date!  

Sesquicentennial Open House 

When: Saturday, March 21, 1–4 p.m. 

Where: Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory, 2490 Carmack Road, Columbus, Ohio

Discover CFAES through hands-on activities and demonstrations, and explore what makes Waterman an essential resource to our university.

There will be activities for the whole family! This is a great chance to check out some of the updates currently happening at the property, including the newly-opened Kunz-Brundige Franklin County Extension Building.  

Registration is open. Parking information coming soon!  

During this time, you will also have a chance to explore Ohio State's Columbus campus with the Sesquicentennial Community Open House & Celebration happening at Thompson Library! Learn more.

By Emily Beal 

Digging my dirt-covered sandals into the soil, I tried to gain my balance on the uneven ground. There I stood on the side of a path that led to a river in the heart of Ghana, carrying a battered, yellow 3-gallon container. The worn crate contained water I had just scooped from the river.

As I hiked up the beaten path, my mind started to reflect about the incredible nine days that had flown by. I never imagined I would spend my holiday break in the country of Ghana on a Buck-I-SERV trip, an alternative break service program through The Ohio State University.

After closing out autumn semester with finals, I boarded a plane headed to West Africa with 14 fellow Buckeyes, all of us essentially strangers to each other, having had little or no contact before the trip.

We were greeted by the sun’s stinging rays and an orchestra of honks and beeps that filled the muggy streets.

On the three-hour car ride from the airport to our final destination, I was taken aback by the scenery. My eyes remained focused on the bold yet beautiful colors that danced around the roadside and the women’s garments demanding my attention with their deep purples and daring oranges and blues.

The lush, verdant trees created a frame enclosing the pastel landscape. I took it all in, trying to remember every inch of the beauty just outside the van window.

Before I knew it, we were pulling into a dusty driveway, rocking as the van made its way over the many potholes. We laughed. Some screamed. We had arrived at the orphanage.

As we all emerged from the van, little faces and smiles radiated everywhere. A sea of tiny, smooth hands were touching my arms and hands, urging me to take them.

Two tiny palms nestled their way into mine, and soon I was led all over the orphanage. At every stop, the children would point and tell me what it was they were showing me. One boy showed me the tire swing. He smiled as if he was showing me the crown jewels.

We were quickly thrown into everyday life in Ghana. Chores at 6 a.m. Helping children with bath time at 6:15. Doing dishes at 6:30. Getting water at 6:45. Helping make breakfast at 7:15.

I’m neither a breakfast person nor a morning person. Yet in Ghana, mornings and sharing breakfast with my group was my favorite part of the day.

Sitting on the front porch passing out mugs that would later be filled with coffee, I became family with those strangers. Gushing about our favorite child at the orphanage or chitchatting about our life at home over a cup of joe, we quickly became a tribe.

At first, I was surprised we would have no running water during our stay at the orphanage. How was I supposed to shower?

I quickly became accustomed to “bucket showers” and, dare I say, started to enjoy them. Though the water was cold, washing the day’s dust and grime off with its iciness quickly became a welcomed feeling. Hand sanitizer became one of my most coveted possessions.

With no air conditioning, our rooms were saunas. The initial shock of the heat was a sensation we soon all became used to.

It wasn’t long before we all noticed we each had a shadow following our every move and claiming us as their own. My shadow was just under 3 years old. Her name was Charity.

Emily Beal is a senior majoring in agricultural communications. To read more about her trip, click here.

Our alumni are out in the world making great things happen.  If you see an alum in the news, let us know!

Here are some recent newsmakers from The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences:

Angela Arnold AS Agricultural Business Technology 2013, BSAGR Sustainable Plant Systems 2013, MS Horticulture and Crop Science 2018 - OSU extension gets new educator

Joy Bauman BS Agricultural Communications 1992, MS Agricultural and Extension Education 2019 - Youth Cooperative Leadership Experience sets stage for success

Dr. Emily Buck BS Agricultural Communications 2002 - Youth Cooperative Leadership Experience sets stage for success

Frank Burkett BS Agricultural Mechanization & Systems 1997 - Senate passes USMCA

Stephanie Conway BS Agricultural Education 2004 - State superintendent tours BG High School, talks EdChoice

Kyle Daugherty AAPPSCI Dairy Cattle Production & Management Technology 2018 - Robotic milking coming to six-generation Daugherty dairy farm

Dr. Donald Davidson BS Dairy Science 1982 - People, product and protocol — Biosecurity and African swine fever

Dr. Rick Daugherty BS Animal Science 1980 - Robotic milking coming to six-generation Daugherty dairy farm

Kelly Henderson BS Landscape Horticulture 2011 - Public service? Officials consider adding farmers to loan forgiveness program

Sarah Lucha BS Agricultural Education 2001, MS Human & Community Resource Development 2002 - SC teacher honored for outstanding agricultural education

Matthew Pleiman BS Agricultural Education 2001 - GROWMARK Announces 2020 Ohio Essay Contest Winner

Dr. Gene Rapp PhD Agricultural Education 1971 - Gene Edward Rapp, Ph.D.

Jeremy Ryan BS Agricultural Education 2011 - West Muskingum Ag Teacher Honored with Award

Dr. Jeff Stachler BS Agronomy 1992, PhD Horticulture and Crop Science 2008 - 2020 weed control strategies for waterhemp and Palmer amaranth

Wendi Mizer Stachler BS Agricultural Education 1999 - MTHS Ag teacher one of 10 finalists for Golden Owl/Ag Teacher of the Year

Emily Wickham BS Agricultural Communications 2007 - Youth Cooperative Leadership Experience sets stage for success