CFAES Connect: October 2020
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CFAES launches the Knowledge Exchange
Sir Mark Walport, UK chief scientist, stated in 2013, “Science isn’t finished until it’s communicated.” The Knowledge Exchange (KX), a unit in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, was created to do just that. The team launched a new data and communications platform Oct. 1, kx.osu.edu, designed to help broader audiences connect with the world-class research from the college in one centralized resource.
KX translates research into engaging communication products—stories, videos, tools, FAQs—for Ohio State University Extension professionals, decision-makers, and the general public. KX works closely with specialists and educators from Extension (the outreach arm of the college) to understand their needs and what communication products would be beneficial for their work and local communities. But the mission of the unit goes beyond translation. KX actively collaborates with researchers and other Ohio State entities to build a story around complex issues affecting Ohio, such as water quality, farm trends, and food supply systems.
Users can explore four main topic “buckets” on the site: Data and Tools, Environment and Natural Resources, Food and Agriculture, and People and Communities. Over 25 subtopics ranging from health and medicine to harmful algal blooms and water quality cover the latest research findings. Feedback is welcome, and users are encouraged to ask questions in a full circle of engagement that could inspire future research.
KX is currently developing decision tools and interactive features for upcoming projects. Two tools now available on the site include Community Profiles—incorporating census data in an easy-to-navigate menu—and eFields, a searchable database of research from the Ohio State Digital Ag Program. And the team hopes to attract audiences to science using different techniques. Coming up later this year: a collaboration with composers from the Ohio State School of Music offers musical interpretations of stories around food insecurity, a farm community, and life on the lake.
The site is just the beginning for KX. Updates to features and tools will be continuous, with new projects, data, and links to translated research added weekly. Have a research story about your work to tell KX? Reach the team at kx@osu.edu.
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Alumni webinar series continues
Join us for the fourth installment of the CFAES Time and Change Alumni Webinar, a monthly series for our alumni and friends on a variety of intriguing issues led by prominent CFAES alumni and industry experts. Please mark your calendar for the third Thursday of each month.
The fourth webinar in the series will be Thursday, Oct. 15, from 2–3 p.m. EDT. Our alumni panel will share their expertise and address current policy considerations in the food, agricultural, and environmental industries, as well as how we can work collaboratively across these areas.
The panel of speakers will include:
- Ellen Crivella, ’03 BS, ’06 MS Environmental Science; senior vice president for project development and engineering, DNV GL, Portland, Oregon
- Joe Shultz, ’03 BS Agribusiness and Applied Economics; Democratic staff director, U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Washington, D.C.
- Melanie Wilt, ’98 BS Agricultural Communication; owner, Shiftology Communication, Springfield, Ohio; Clark County Commissioner
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Lal to speak at Borlaug Dialogue, receive World Food Prize, and be honored by Ohio State
Rattan Lal, one of the most decorated professors to teach and conduct research at The Ohio State University, will receive the 2020 World Food Prize on Thursday, Oct. 15, during the virtual Borlaug Dialogue streaming from Des Moines, Iowa. That same day, he will also be honored by Ohio State in a virtual ceremony to honor his legacy.
The renowned soil scientist and Distinguished University Professor in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) was named recipient of the 50th World Food Prize in June. He will be honored on Thursday, Oct. 15, at the World Food Prize Laureate Award Ceremony, set for 9–10 a.m. CDT and 10–11 a.m. EDT. The prize includes a prestigious $250,000 cash award and a sculpture by noted artist and designer Saul Bass. Join in the special celebration at www.worldfoodprize.org/live.
Later that afternoon, friends and colleagues from Ohio State and around the world are invited to honor the 76-year-old Lal’s legacy by participating in a virtual side event hosted by CFAES.
Registration is required at go.osu.edu/Bxqr to participate in Ohio State’s “The Legacy of Dr. Rattan Lal” on Oct. 15 from 1–1:45 p.m. CDT and 2–2:45 p.m. EDT.
This event will include an overview of Lal’s work, from his humble beginnings as a refugee growing up on a small subsistence farm in India, to becoming a world-renowned scientist and World Food Prize Laureate. A guided discussion and reflection with Lal will be featured, as well as the announcement of upcoming CFAES and Ohio State plans that will contribute even more to his legacy.
To read more about Rattan Lal, click here.
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4-H Celebration of Youth: Pathways to the Future
Since 1998, Celebration of Youth has been an annual fundraiser supporting Ohio 4-H Youth Development programming and operations. The evening celebrates all 4-H has to offer and will be held virtually on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. EST.
This year, for the first time, our virtual event is open to everyone free of charge. The program will celebrate the perseverance and resilience of Ohio 4-H members during this unique year and will include an online auction. We hope you will join us to enjoy the program, bid on auction items, and make a donation.
Funds raised from Celebration of Youth support Ohio 4-H programming and operations. To help us continue to forge new pathways to future success in this unique year, our greatest needs include 4-H camp facilities, innovative program development and delivery, and capacity support to engage youth across Ohio’s 88 counties.
Please consider joining us for this year’s exciting and unique event. Visit go.osu.edu/COY for event details, sponsorship information, and registration information.
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Celebrating Buckeyes Week recap
As we wrapped up Celebrating Buckeyes Week (Sept. 28 to Oct. 2), Ohio State University President Kristina M. Johnson applauded our Buckeye family for sharing our stories. “We just concluded #CelebratingBuckeyes week, and I want to thank all of you for highlighting the contributions of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends who are changing the world for the better,” she said. “Your stories posted across social media have inspired me, and I was proud to contribute as a new member of our Ohio State family.”
But just because Celebrating Buckeyes Week is over, that doesn’t mean we want to stop celebrating our Buckeyes. You can help us share your story in one of three ways:
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Farm Science Review Hall of Fame announces inductees
Farm Science Review has a long-standing tradition of honoring individuals who have made their mark on the FSR community. Though the annual farm show was held virtually this year, that did not prevent the honoring of two well-deserved individuals. This year, Dave Donohue and Mike Miller were inducted into the Hall of Fame. To learn more about them, click here.
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Submit your family O-H-I-O photo
We want to see your Buckeye spirit. We are asking you to submit your family’s O-H-I-O photo for the CFAES Advancement Office to use in promotional materials, on our website, and in other communications. Photos can be recent, from the past, from a milestone event, or from a destination location. Help us spread a little Buckeye spirit this fall!
Submit your
O-H-I-O photo here
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Where are they now? Alumni Awards edition
The International Alumni Award is presented to outstanding international agriculture alumni representing, supporting, and promoting the college and The Ohio State University around the globe. We have been honoring individuals with this award since 1989, and in that time we have honored 55 individuals. Of those honored over the years, 91% are male, and 8% are female. This compares to the current alumni population that includes 44,554 individuals, with 67% male and 33% female. Honorees of this award represent each of the college's academic units, with 31% coming from the Department of Animal Sciences, 27% coming from the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics, and 14% coming from the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science. We checked in with them to see what they have accomplished since earning their award and what it meant to them. Hear from a few of our honorees below.
Mauricio Vaz Lobo Bittencourt, ’04 PhD Agricultural Economics
CFAES International Alumni Award, 2020
Q: What did receiving the International Alumni Award mean to you? A: Receiving this award brought me a sense of recognition for all the dedication I gave to my academic career, always trying to narrow even more of my bonds to OSU and helping to promote this fantastic university everywhere I go.
Q: What is your favorite CFAES memory?
A: The lifetime friendships I still have with so many people I know since those years as a PhD student and the learning environment we had back then.
Q: What was your CFAES Alumni Award experience like?
A: When I attended the ceremony, I felt I was returning to my second home. Definitely it was an emotional and unforgettable experience to meet so many brilliant faculty and be recognized and honored by them.
Seung Il Na, ’93 PhD Agricultural Education
International Alumni Award, 2009
Q: What has been your greatest achievement or milestone since receiving your International Alumni Award?
A: I was inaugurated on March 14, 2013, as vice minister of education of the Republic of Korea and worked until Aug. 26, 2014. At that time, the Ministry of Education promoted two-axis policies, one was the pursuit of happiness education for all, and the other was the policy to realize a competency-based society. In particular, I, as a professor in vocational education and workforce development of Seoul National University, led the policy of establishing both National Competency Standards (NCS) and National Qualifications Framework (NQF) in order to transition from the academic backgrounds and specs-oriented society prevalent in Korea to the competency-based society. Since returning to university, I have been monitoring and conducting follow-up research on the policies that are continually being promoted.
Q: What is your favorite CFAES memory?
A: As I recall now, my whole life there as a PhD student was a good memory. I am deeply grateful to Professor R.K. Barrick for his guidance, as well as Professor N.L. McCaslin, who highly recommended me as an award nominee. My favorite memory was the grand graduation ceremony held at Ohio Stadium on June 11, 1993, on a sunny day.
Milton Gorocica, ’03 MS Animal, Dairy and Poultry Science, ’06 PhD Animal, Dairy, and Poultry Science
CFAES International Alumni Award, 2016
Q: What has been your greatest achievement or milestone since receiving your award? A: I have been involved in launching several of our key products for beef and dairy cattle in new markets from four different continents, representing significant additional revenue for the company.
Q: What is your favorite CFAES memory?
A: The relationship with my advisor and faculty members of the Animal Sciences Department. We are still in touch and became friends for life. My third boy is named after Dr. Steve Loerch, my MS and PhD adviser, to signify how special his impact has been in our lives.
Q: What has your CFAES alumni experience meant to you?
A: Our time at OSU remains a key highlight of my life. Friends and opportunities multiplied during and after our time there. The network I’ve been able to develop with alumni, faculty, and staff has really helped to capture new business and collaboration opportunities that would not be there had I not been part of this family.
Shih-Torng Ding, ’96 PhD Poultry Science
CFAES International Alumni Award, 2010
Q: What has been your greatest achievement since receiving your alumni award? A: I received an Outstanding Research Award from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan. I became the deputy secretary for the Board of Science and Technology of the Taiwan central government for five years. I am now the vice president for academic affairs at National Taiwan University.
Q: What is your favorite CFAES memory?
A: Working at OARDC.
Augustine Mokwunye, ’66 BS Agronomy, ’68 MS Agronomy
CFAES International Alumni Award, 1998
Q: Describe what receiving the International Alumni Award meant to you.
A: I had the opportunity to bring my entire family to Columbus. I was single while I was at OSU. I left OSU to attend the University of Illinois, where I met my wife, Elaine. By the time of my award, we had grown to become a family of six with three boys and one girl. It was exciting to bring the full family to OSU to see where their “daddy” had his education.
Q: What has been your greatest achievement since receiving your award?
A: I was employed by the United Nations University as the director of the Institute for Natural Resources in Africa based in Accra, Ghana, when I received the award. Since then I became a member of the board of directors of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), one of the centers managed by the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). I rose to become chairman of the board and eventually, chairman of the Committee of Board Chairs of the CGIAR.
To see the complete list of International Alumni Award winners, click here.
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Who in the world is on the CFAES Alumni Society Board?
The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Alumni Society Board represents the voice of all alumni of the college. The board serves as a resource for all relations between college alumni and The Ohio State University Alumni Association and has representatives from every academic department, every region of Ohio, from out of state, and from the last three graduating classes. The group meets quarterly in addition to holding events throughout the year.
Get to know a few of our board members each month.
Rishona Headen-Brown, Out of State Representative
’17 BSFDSCI Food Science and Technology
Senior Continuous Improvement Manager, Walmart-Supply Chain Central Operations
Q: Tell us a bit about what you like to do when you are not at work.A: When I’m not at work I love to travel and include time for thrillseeking adventures. I’m a self-proclaimed beach bum, so any location with a beach and water sports works for me. Being a food scientist and foodie, I love to re-create dishes I try while dining out at home.
Q: What is your favorite memory of CFAES
A: My favorite memory from CFAES is AgOlympics. This was one time of year that everyone could just let their hair down and be in the moment enjoying the fun and festivities.
Q: Tell us anything else that you would like to share with your fellow alums.
A: Volunteer service is something I have taken seriously throughout life and during my time at CFAES. I want to take my passion for food and providing nutrient-dense food to my community to a higher level. I’m working towards developing a program to educate those suffering in food deserts how to eat better, while utilizing the resources available from food banks, food pantries, church food basket, and others.
Nathaniel Kramer, Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics (AEDE) Representative
’18 MSTAPLEC Applied Economics
Analyst, Econometrics and Forecast, Ohio Department of Medicaid
Q: Tell us a bit about what you like to do when you are not at workA: I love to be outdoors, mostly hiking and backpacking. One of my life goals is to visit every national park.
Q: What is your favorite thing about being on the Alumni Society Board?
A: My favorite thing about being on the CFAES board is getting to attend the annual awards ceremony and hear about the incredible things our alumni are doing!
Q: What is your favorite memory from CFAES?
A: I was only in CFAES for a year, so I’ll go with my favorite memory from undergrad: storming the field after OSU’s miraculous double-overtime victory over TTUN in 2016, my senior year.
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Alumni in the news
Our alumni are out in the world making great things happen.
Here are some recent CFAES newsmakers:
Glen Arnold - ’84 BS Agricultural Education - Surber family receives Ohio Pork Industry Excellence Award
Jerry Borton - ’71 BS Agricultural Education - Fulton Co. 2020 Ag Hall of Fame inductees named
Doug Foxx - ’03 BS Agricultural Education - Wayne County Fair pushes forward despite pandemic
David Heisler - ’85 BS Agricultural Economics - Surber family receives Ohio Pork Industry Excellence Award
Sandra Kuhn - ’88 BS Agricultural Education, '95 MS Agricultural Education - Pandemic drives very different-looking Delaware County Fair
Eric Richer - ’99 BS Agricultural Education - Sweltering summer stifles corn crop
Tanner Schoen - ’15 BSAGR Agriscience Education - Indian Lake on track to have one of the largest agricultural programs available
Keith Stimpert - ’83 MS Agricultural Education - Farm Bureau’s Keith Stimpert hanging up the hat
John Surber - ’75 BS Dairy Science - Surber family receives Ohio Pork Industry Excellence Award