Ohio State University Extension
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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.
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.
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.
Program Center Stage: National Urban Research & Education Center (NUREC): Building Collaborative Research and Extension Networks
March 24, 2-3 p.m. ET
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
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.
Ohio State's University Outreach and Engagement Awards honor faculty, staff and students for outstanding achievement in producing engaged scholarship and community impact.
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 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.
The Local Data for Equitable Communities grant program, a collaboration between the Urban Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, seek
