CFAES Connect: July 2019
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#LeanOnYourLandGrant in a Crisis
From torrential downpours to extreme dry heat, Mother Nature and agriculture have not been the best of friends in 2019.
This -- coupled with recent public policy issues -- has compounded struggles among various growers and producers in Ohio and nationwide.
A task force from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences has assembled resources and expertise that can assist from a broad perspective on the issues facing those in farming and related industries as well as the rural community overall.
Webinars and articles are available on the following topics: 2019 Ag Crisis, Farm Stress (for individuals and those serving the farming community), Agronomic Crop Farmers, Dairy Producers, Livestock Producers, Fruit Producers, Vegetable Growers and Wine Grape Growers.
We invite you to utilize these resources as you see fit, share them with the greater agricultural community, and communicate with us. Find resources and return for updates at go.osu.edu/agcrisis. #LeanOnYourLandGrant
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CFAES Alum Lal Named Summer 2019 Commencement Speaker
Soil scientist Rattan Lal, one of The Ohio State University’s most decorated faculty researchers, will address the university’s summer graduates. Approximately 1,500 degrees will be awarded at the summer commencement ceremony, which begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4., at the Jerome Schottenstein Center.
Lal, whose career in science spans five decades and five continents, was honored most recently with the 2019 Japan Prize in recognition of his research on sustainable soil management and its role in improving global food security and mitigating climate change.
A Distinguished University Professor of Soil Science in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), Lal was the first Ohio State scientist and the first soil scientist to ever receive the Japan Prize. The prize recognizes scientists and engineers from around the world for original and outstanding achievements that “not only contribute to the advancement of science and technology, but also promote peace and prosperity for all mankind,” the Japan Prize Foundation said when announcing the award.
To read on click here
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CFAES Check It Out - Howlett Green Roof
Within Howlett Hall you can find multiple offices, labs and classrooms, but the roof is home to 7,000 perennial plants with winding accessible paths. The Green Roof was established in 2013 and is the first of its kind on The Ohio State University's Columbus Campus. This 12,000-square-foot expanse is open to the public for tours throughout the week or as a quiet spot to enjoy a retreat from the hustle and bustle of midwest campus life.
So what exactly is a green roof? Simply put, a green roof is a living, breathing vegetated cover over a built structure. There are two main classifications when discussing green roofs: extensive and intensive. The differentiation is primarily in the depth of the growing media. Extensive green roofs are lighter weight and typically less expensive, but have limitations in planting design. Intensive green roofs are heavier and therefore suitable for structures with a strong load-bearing capacity. The depth of growing media on an intensive green roof ranges from 6–18 inches and therefore offers a broader palette for design and plant selection, but it costs more than an extensive roof. Howlett's green roof is an extensive roof.
What did it take for CFAES to get a green roof? The green roof was made possible by many individuals but notably the work of now CFAES Alumna Megan Welsh-Meier stands out. As a Construction Systems Management undergraduate student, Megan wrote an EPA grant that brought in $121,000 for the project. Along with Megan's grant, donors were also engaged to raise a total of $400,000 to make the Green Roof a reality. Those funds went towards not only the physical Green Roof, but also towards the design and safety features of the roof. The physical installation of the Green Roof took 14 days in total to establish the ground cover and to introduce the plants to their new home.
The Green Roof at Howlett Hall Green Roof is a beacon of sustainability and clean energy for OSU and as the seasons roll it continues to display what horticulture and engineering can do to improve the spaces around us. To read more on the Howlett Green Roof click here!
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See You at the Dean's Charity Steer Show
On July 30, 2019, Cathann A. Kress, Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, along with Ohio Cattlemen’s Association and Telhio Credit Union, will host the inaugural Dean’s Charity Steer Show, benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio (RMHC). This event brings together our community to celebrate agriculture and support children and their families who rely on RMHC during difficult times. The show and sale will feature local celebrity exhibitors partnered with a 4-H member and his or her steer. All funds raised will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Ohio. Make a donation today at give.osu.edu/deanscharitysteershow.
Join us at the Ohio State Fair in the Voinovich Livestock & Trade Center on July 30. The event starts at 2 p.m,, but be sure to arrive by 1:30 to get a good seat!
Awards will include best steer, showmanship, and people’s choice. During the event, there will be a “sale” following the same procedures as a typical livestock sale, but without the actual transfer of livestock. Instead, all bids and sale proceeds will be donated to RMHC.
To read on click here.
To make a donation click here.
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Can We Trick Mosquitoes To Stop Biting Us?
You and the summertime pest that feeds on your flesh have a lot in common when it comes to feeling sleepy.
Blame (or thank) your internal biological clock. That clock affects your circadian rhythms by controlling your body’s production of a hormone called melatonin, which makes you feel sleepy. The result is an ongoing pattern of sleepiness and alertness.
But did you know that even lowly mosquitoes have circadian rhythms, too?
And as it turns out, scientists such as Ohio State entomologist Megan Meuti, PhD, have been able to tinker with the circadian rhythms in one type of mosquito. By altering those mosquitoes’ circadian rhythms, scientists have learned they can “trick” those mosquitos into getting their seasons mixed up.
They can convince a mosquito that it’s winter — and time to hibernate — when it’s actually summer and time to reproduce.
“The potential for manipulating their seasonal responses may be a very good way of controlling them,” said Meuti, an assistant professor in The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
What that means for you: Researchers have begun to tap into ways to potentially manipulate the mosquito population in the future, reducing the chances that you’ll get bitten as soon as you walk out of your house in the summer.
To Read on Click Here
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Become a Pelotonia Virtual Rider
Dedicated to personal health and fitness? Interested in supporting cancer research?
Achieve both by joining the Team Buckeye-CFAES Sustains Life Peloton for Pelotonia 2019 as a Virtual Rider (FREE Registration!) and earn fundraising dollars when you walk, run, bike, swim, or exercise at the gym by using the mobile PULLL app. 100% of funds raised goes towards meeting your personal fundraising goal–and CFAES’ goal–to support cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (The James). You can also join the team as a donor, volunteer, or a rider over the weekend of August 2-4. Learn more at go.osu.edu/PelotoniaCFAES or by contacting Ben Wenner(.20) or Beau Ingle(.16).
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Estate Planning Can Benefit CFAES
An up-to-date estate plan is your most effective tool for protecting the security of your loved ones. But did you know you can also use your estate plan to support CFAES? When you include a gift to The Ohio State University Foundation in your will or trust, you join a group of instrumental supporters. Read more.
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Meet Your CFAES Alumni Society Board
The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Alumni Board represents the voice of all alumni of the college and serves as a resource for all relations between college alumni and the OSU Alumni Society. Meet the representatives below:
Executive Council
President - Nick Rettig - BSAGR Agribusiness and Applied Economics 2014
President Elect - Yolanda Owens - BS Agricultural Communications 2007
Secretary - Hayley Maynard- BSAGR Agricultural Communications 2015
Treasurer - John Kellis - BS Natural Resources Development 1976
Past President - Cyndi Brill - BS Agricultural Education 1993
Department Representatives
Agricultural, Communication, Education and Leadership - Ellen Zimmerman - BSAGR Agricultural Communications 2014
Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics - Nathaniel Kramer - MSTAPLEC Applied Economics 2018
Animal Sciences - Ryan Conklin - BS Animal Science 2010, BS Agribusiness & Applied Economics 2010
Entomology - Nicky Gallagher - MS Entomology 2003, PhD Entomology 2010
Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering - Kaley Orr - BSFABE Food, Agriculture & Biological Engineer 2015
ATI - Mary Ann Frantz - ASC Floral Design & Marketing Technology 1974, BS Agricultural Education 1979
Food Science and Technology - Lynn Wischmeyer Moore - BS Food Science & Nutrition 2011
Plant Pathology - Katherine Wolfe - BSAGR Plant Pathology 2018
Horticulture and Crop Science - Peg McMahon - BS Horticulture 1970
School of Environment and Natural Resources - Kevin McCarty - BS Natural Resources Development 1992
Regional Representatives
Southeast Ohio - Hayley Maynard- BSAGR Agricultural Communications 2015
Southwest Ohio - John Kellis - BS Natural Resources Development 1976
Central Ohio - Andy Vance - BSAGR Agricultural Communications 2011
Northeast Ohio - Mark Evans - BS Agricultural Education 1977, MS Agricultural Education 1980
Northwest Ohio - Derek Snider - BSAGR Agribusiness and Applied Economics 2013
Ohio At Large - Yolanda Owens - BS Agricultural Communications 2007
Out of State - Adisa Aarons - BS Construction Systems Management 2009
Out of State - Rishona Headen-Brown - BSFDSCI Food Science and Technology 2017
Class of 2017 Rep - Craig Berning - BSAGR Agribusiness and Applied Economics 2017
Class of 2018 Rep - Celena Ritchey - BSENR Environmental Policy & Decision Making 2018
Class of 2019 Rep - Marie McConnell - BSENR Environmental Policy & Decision Making 2019
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Alumni in the News
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:
Dr. Robert Acton BS Poultry Science 1960, MS Agricultural Economics 1965 Dr. Robert "Bob" W. Acton
Tyler Arters ASC Crop Production Management 2011 Ohio's Farming Washout
Gary Bauer BS Animal Science 1966, MS Agriculture Education 1973 Piney Paradise Hosts Statewide Conference
Scott Bauer BS Agricultural Education 1998 Piney Paradise Hosts Statewide Conference
Lauren Burner AS Animal Science 2019, AS Community Leadership 2019 In the Field Friday: Lauren Burner '19
Amanda Denes-Diedrick BS Agricultural Education 2006 Denes-Diedrick Honored for Membership Achievements
Jenny Hubble BS Agricultural Communications 1994 2019 Ohio State Fair Butter Sculpture Celebrates Apollo 11's 50th
Tracy Kitchel BS Agricultural Education 1998, MS Agricultural Education 1999 Kitchel Completes Big Ten Leadership Program
Tracy Kitchel BS Agricultural Education 1998, MS Agricultural Education 1999 CFAES Dean Cathann A. Kress Announces Leadership Appointments
Dr. Rattan Lal PhD Agronomy 1968 Ohio State Announces Summer Commencement Speaker
Dr. Dewey Mann PhD Food, Agriculture & Biological Engineering 2017 CFAES Dean Cathann A. Kress Announces Leadership Appointments
Joshua McDonald ASC Agricultural and Industrial Power Equipment Technology 2008 Erie Swears in 5 new Police Officers
Pat Petzel BS Agricultural Communications 1992 Redesigned Land and Living Exhibit Unveiled
John Poulson BS Animal Science 1981, MS Agricultural Education 1987 Poulson Wins Inaugural Golden Owl Award
Dr. Roger Rennekamp PhD Agricultural Education 1987 Ohio State University Extension Director Rennekamp to Step Down
Dr. Scott Shearer BS Agricultural Engineering 1981, MS Agricultural Engineering 1983, PhD Agricultural Engineering 1986 CFAES Dean Cathann A. Kress Announces Leadership Appointments
Gary Wilson BS Agricultural Education 1978, Agricultural Education 1978 Overcoming Ohio's Forage Fiasco
Robert Wilson ASC Dairy Cattle Production & Management Technology 1987 2019 Feeding Farmers - Rob Wilson, Hardin County