Recent Blog Posts
Join the Ohio Food Policy Network for their virtual convening on Friday, April 18, 12-1:30 p.m. Dr. Ian Sheldon, The Ohio State University will examine the outlook for agricultural trade in the context of the current U.S. trade policy and the wider impact of tariffs. Register for the webinar here - bit.ly/OFPN_Tariffs
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Urban farmers face unique challenges including the pests they encounter. Many urban farmers are new farmers so they need basic information as well as solutions for problems that arise. The Great Lakes Urban Ag IPM Working Group has 15 pest cards available which provide identification and management options for insects and mammals. Some of most popular pest cards provide information about groundhogs, deer, cucumber beetles, and squash vine borers. The cards are available in English, Spanish, and Nepali. Check out the online version of the cards here. Printed cards are available by request (contact Maggie Rivera). This work is/was supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Crop Protection and Pest Management Program through the North Central IPM Center (2018-70006-28883).
Extension’s evolving role in urban food production will require intensive reflexivity and ongoing collaboration. Extension educators around the country have already made progress in engaging with both the social and horticultural sides of urban agriculture. Designed appropriately, urban food systems hold the potential for healthy food access, community and environmental resilience, and economic prosperity (Rangarajan & Riordan 2019). Moving forward, we offer recommendations for Extension staff to apply within their institutions and beyond. Specifically, we urge Extension to prioritize the following: 1) mediate the rural/urban dichotomy, 2) tackle structural and institutional power dynamics, and 3) intensify strategies for community resilience.
Read the complete Journal of Extension article.
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Program Center Stage: National Urban Research & Education Center (NUREC): Building Collaborative Research and Extension Networks
March 24, 2-3 p.m. ET
The land-grant university (LGU) system was developed when most U.S. residents lived in rural areas. While the mission of the LGU system has not changed, the system must update the methods, topics and questions of our research and Extension units to deliver on that mission in the 21st century.
NUREC bridges the gap between community and research by applying the unparalleled power and reach of the land-grant university system, rooted in Extension’s community-centered approach, to address our nation’s urban challenges. This session will be an opportunity to learn more about NUREC, their goals, and how to get involved.
Webinar hosted by: Brad Gaolach, Washington State University
For more information and register here.
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The United States is increasingly urbanizing, and the communities served by Extension look different today than in 1914 when the nation’s Cooperative Extension Service was established. Many communities are generally more diverse than ever before and face complex challenges unique to urban environments. These factors have led to an ongoing discussion among Extension professionals regarding what form
Cooperative Extension programs should take in the future and how strategic approaches to Extension may be different in urban contexts. This debate, however, is not a new one; the trend toward urbanization has been an issue since the early years of the Cooperative Extension Service. Using historical research methods, we analyzed the discussions around urban Extension nationwide from 1914 to the present-day and suggested implications about its future. Read this Journal of Agriculture Education article.
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Dan is leading the launch of National Urban Research & Extension Center’s first Knowledge and Practice Network, dedicated to advancing applied research on urban built environments.
Discover how local governments, planners, designers, and researchers can use participatory scenario planning and alternative futures assessments to address key equity and sustainability challenges, such as improving food systems and expanding green infrastructure.
This webinar introduces attendees to tools and frameworks to anticipate future challenges and opportunities, ensuring more sustainable, resilient, and adaptable built environments.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Urban Planners & Designers Architects & Landscape Architects, University Extension Professionals, Local Government Officials & Policy Makers, Environmental Scientists & Sustainability Experts, Real Estate Developers & Investors, Community Leaders & Nonprofits Students & Academics.
Register here to attend the March 20, 3:30 pm ET webinar.
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Ohio State's University Outreach and Engagement Awards honor faculty, staff and students for outstanding achievement in producing engaged scholarship and community impact.
The Community Engaged Practitioner Award recognizes The Ohio State University staff members who have demonstrated superior commitment to developing, coordinating, and/or sustaining projects, activities, or initiatives involving Ohio State and community partners that enhance engaged scholarship and community impacts.
- Nicole Debose, Extension Area Leader, Cuyahoga County, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Science
- Terron Banner, Manager of Community Learning and Experience, College of Arts and Sciences, Urban Arts Space
- Leila Vieira, Assistant Director, Center for Latin American Studies, Office of International Affairs
Congratulations, Nicole!
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The Metro Schools, which was founded through a partnership with The Ohio State University, is expanding its new Agriscience Futures Academy. The program promotes STEM education (science, technology, engineering and math) through the study of agriculture among middle and high school students. The Metro Schools moved to a new location earlier this year at 420 E. 19th Ave. and is continuing its relationship with Ohio State. The Agriscience Futures Academy is a partnership between Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, the Metro Early College Middle School, the PAST Foundation and the Mezzacello Urban Farm. Learn more.
Sourced from Ohio State News
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding the Controlled Environment pilot crop insurance program to an additional 48 counties in 17 states for 2026 and succeeding crop years. The Controlled Environment program from USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is specifically for plants grown in fully enclosed controlled environments and provides coverage against plant diseases subject to destruction orders. Per the USDA RMA website (2/24/25), the Ohio counties include Cuyahoga, Erie, Franklin, Fulton, Lake, Lorain, Lucas, and Wayne. Learn more.
Sourced from USDA News 2/19/25
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The Local Data for Equitable Communities grant program, a collaboration between the Urban Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, seeks to help nonprofits use data to catalyze local action, address inequities, and ensure all residents can live their healthiest lives.
The program is calling for new proposals, due March 18, 2025, and plans to fund 30 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) nonprofits working in housing, transportation, community safety, climate and environment, the built environment, and other conditions in a place. Each grantee will receive $50,000 to cover project implementation, peer learning opportunities, and technical assistance from the Urban Institute on data, policy, and community engagement.
Learn more.
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