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OSU Extension

College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

CFAES

Communiqué March 4, 2011

Voluntary Separation Incentive Program - Update

After announcements of the separation incentive that was approved by the Board of Trustees in early February, we know several of you are very interested in and understand your eagerness to know the details. We have been working with University Human Resources, Office of Legal Affairs and Benefits, drafting a plan we feel will help the College achieve positive economic and programmatic outcomes, and address long-term organizational demands.

Dr. Bobby Moser sent a note to the College on February 23, anticipating that the program guidelines and timeline for the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program would be released soon - after approval was granted. At this time, we do have the plan in final draft form, but we are still waiting final approval by university administration before any details can be released. We are anxiously awaiting approval and will release details of the program as soon as we have final approval.

Using Social Media to Show Support for Extension

-Dr. Keith Smith, associate vice president for agricultural administration and
director, OSU Extension

Recently, the Cooperative Extension System (CES) has been coordinating a social media strategy to reach CES stakeholders and encourage them to share the success, impact, and importance of CES nationwide. This is in response to the Congressional budget debates and potential reductions in federal (Smith-Lever) funding.

The Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) has asked Extension directors and administrators to mobilize employees and stakeholders to share Extension success stories and impacts with members of Congress. ECOP also asked eXtension to help create and compile a number of resources that support this effort via social media strategies.

There are two main goals of this effort:

  1. Bring success stories and support of Extension to the attention of
    Congressional representatives.
  2. Support traditional efforts of mail, e-mail, and face-to-face contact
    with Congressional representatives.

The strategies for this effort involve: getting Congressional representatives’ attention; expressing emotion about Extension’s impact via personal stories; and generating buzz (creating volume online about Extension’s impact).

OSU Extension is providing this update on what the national Extension system is doing to share the message about the value of Extension, as well as resources that Extension professionals can use (on their own time) to also share this message.

OSU Extension professionals in turn, can update our clientele, local advisory councils,
and other stakeholders about how they can help us tell the story of Extension to Congressional representatives and other budgetary decision-makers. And we can pass along the “call to action.”

This is a program-related effort, so it is important that CEDs, EERA leaders, and program staff share information that encourages others tell our story when possible. Examples of ways this message can be shared include:

  • CEDs can add information to all program newsletters.
  • EERA leaders can share this information at EERA and regional meetings.
  • ADs can share this information in newsletters and at program team meetings.

The faculty/staff who read these newsletters and attend these meetings can then inform their clientele and local partners about ways they can share their stories and support Extension online via existing Facebook and Twitter networks.

Things OSU Extension is doing in response to the CES social media effort:

  • Using the #CESValue and #CoopExt hashtag in tweets about relevant CFAES, OSUE, and OARDC activities.
  • CommTech social media team is following #CESValue and #CoopExt on Twitter. Follow them @FoodAgEnvNews.
  • “Liked” the CES Facebook page.
  • Posting success stories from the current Growing Jobs campaign and from the annual reports.
  • “Liked” the Facebook pages of Ohio’s Congressional delegation members.
  • Following the Tweets of our news media group’s Twitter followers.
  • Dr. Bobby Moser is tweeting about land-grant value, and retweeting press releases from CommTech. Follow him @BobbyMoser.

Action steps for interested Extension constituents:
OSU Extension has already passed along state and federal budget calls to action, asking our clientele and other supporters to contact their state and federal legislators specifically about current proposed budget cuts.

It is important that they continue to use traditional methods to make these requests and also send Extension success stories and impacts to representatives and officials. However, for our local stakeholders who are into social media, these action steps may be of interest as well. Supporters may:

  1. post positive impact stories about the value of Extension on local organization and news-related Facebook and Twitter accounts.
  2. “Like” the Cooperative Extension System Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CooperativeExtension) and share (brief) local success stories on the CES wall.
  3. Share stories on Congressional representatives’ Facebook sites (note: must “like” each page to do so).
  4. Follow local Congressional representatives on Twitter and reply to Twitter posts, expressing the value of Extension and using #CESValue as a hash tag in those replies. Retweet other Extension tweets where relevant.

One resource page for additional background information is http://create.extension.org/node/3221 (targeted for internal Extension use), which includes talking points on formula funds for Extension, Q&A on the federal budget, and how to develop social media messages about Extension, etc.

If you have questions about using social media for this and other educational efforts, contact Mitch Moser (moser.26@osu.edu) or Martha Filipic (filipic.3@osu.edu) in Communications & Technology, or Jerry Thomas (thomas.69@osu.edu), leader, Innovation and Change.

Pulse Survey Results and Responses

Recently, your colleagues responded to the monthly pulse survey in the following ways:

*Mean scores could indicate strong agreement.

  • I am committed to OSU Extension. (mean of 8.51)
  • I look forward to being a part of Extension’s future. (mean of 8.34)

*Mean scores could indicate agreement.

  • OSU Extension is heading in the right direction. (mean of 6.03)
  • I receive adequate support in completing my job responsibilities. (mean of 6.77)
  • In 2015, Extension will have (fewer) personnel than today. (mean of 7.93)
  • I support the goals outlined in the strategic plan. (mean of 7.14)

*Mean scores indicate neither agreement nor disagreement.

  • Extension should rethink its connection to the three levels of government
    (county, state and federal). (mean of 5.77)
  • Extension has been willing to let go of less relevant programs as new programs emerge. (mean of 5.82)
  • Extension has the capacity to adapt to changing funding arrangements.
    (mean of 5.74)

*Mean scores could indicate disagreement.

  • Extension reaches too narrow of an audience. (mean of 4.68)
  • The non-agriculture public is aware of the potential of OSU Extension.
    (mean of 3.96)

Your colleagues also shared their opinions and insights in response to the open-ended question in the same pulse survey – “In what ways might OSU Extension be viewed as ‘out of date’ by clientele?”

  • Technology! Web sites! Resources for educators to educate through the use of technology.
  • The general population that are not Extension users, still think of us as the “county ag agent” who makes farm visits. Until we offer something that is of greater use to a larger audience, or greater recognized by the public as a useful and necessary service, this won’t change.
  • To avoid the view we are out-of-date, we need to be more strategic as an organization in our program delivery and more accountable in delivering programs as faculty and staff. …If we are viewed as out-of-date, it is because we spend a lot of time reinventing the wheel on issues or information, rather than producing an educational package for a topic or issue that can be used by many and made available 24/7 to clientele. …”
  • We are associated with the county fair system, which is dinosaur-like in many of our counties. Our future will be supplementing public projects/entities like what Eric Romich did with the solar farm and like 4-H is doing with school enrichment.
  • Many clientele believe that we are a branch of Ohio State and do not understand what Extension does. Also, many of the clients come in asking us what we do and what we offer. We need a better way to help the public become aware of our strengths.

Additional information is available online. To see a complete list of the responses shared and a distribution of the means for each survey question above, you can access this pulse survey link.

2010 OSUE & OARDC Annual Reports Available Online

Both the Extension and OARDC 2010 annual reports are now available to download. The Extension report is online at https://extension.osu.edu/. Clicking the link will download the 6.8 MB "interactive" file to your computer. The OARDC report is online at http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/resources/Resources.htm, under "Publications." Clicking that link will download the 6.3 MB file to your computer.

The 2010 quad folds and one-pager files will also be available soon as PDFs via the CommTech home page, under the Resources tab.

2010 OSUE County/EERA Highlights Available Online

PDFs of the 2010 county/EERA highlights are available online. Contact Suzanne Steel in Communications and Technology with questions (steel.7@osu.edu; 614-292-9637).

OSU Extension Marketing Brochure Now Available

An updated OSU Extension marketing brochure is now available - see the attached sample. Limited hard copies of this "bi-fold" brochure are available if county offices or units would like a few copies to display or distribute to key stakeholders and supporters.

Related Documents

5-Year EEET Summary Reports for Promotion/Tenure

On March 2 and 3, five-year EEET summary reports were e-mailed to potential candidates who requested them for their documents. If you are considering promotion this year, you can request a report by using this link http://go.osu.edu/EEETRequest. For promotion purposes, you should request a five-year summary report with comparison data. This request link should only be used by individuals going for promotion and submitting a vita this year.

2010 annual EEET summary reports were e-mailed to educators and program support staff the first week of February. If a program support staff has misplaced their 2010 annual EEET summary, they should contact Kim Bahnsen and request another report for their performance review (bahnsen.8@osu.edu). Regional directors have copies of educators’ annual EEET summaries.

Please remember to have your EEET forms submitted to the Program Development and Evaluation Unit in a timely manner.

OSU:pro Update

-Debby Lewis, leader, Program Development and Evaluation Unit

We continue to work out the logistics of the “renew” process for Extension Activities within OSU:pro. Please do not enter data for 2011 until instructed to do so. If you have already entered some data for 2011, DO NOT delete it (it may be fine).  We will have an explanation of the renew process for you by early next week. Thank you for your continued patience – it’s a process.

OSU Cares Seed Grants - 2011 RFP Now Online

The 2011 OSU CARES/OSU Extension Seed Grants are now available online. The proposal deadline is March 14. Seed Grants (up to $10,000 each) fund outreach and engagement initiatives with partners from at least two colleges (including OSU Extension). For more information about OSU CARES and to learn about past partnerships that have been supported through OSU CARES, visit http://osucares.osu.edu/. For questions or information on partnering with Extension colleagues or other colleagues on campus, contact Karen Bruns (614-292-9613; bruns.1@osu.edu).

University Outreach & Engagement Impact Grants - RFP Now Online

Proposals are being accepted until March 14 for funding through the Engagement Impact grants program. These grants are designed to establish and/or expand innovative, creative, scholarly outreach and engagement initiatives that can have a substantial impact within the university and community. Proposals for up to $80,000 to be used over a two-year period can be submitted. See outreachgrants.osu.edu for the RFP. Contact outreach@osu.edu or 688-3041 if you have questions about applying.

Leadership for Tomorrow Conference - Registration is Open Through March 31

Registration is open for the 2011 Leadership for Tomorrow: Investing in Communities Conference scheduled for April 13-14 in Columbus.

The conference will focus on defining and understanding communities; building and leading partnerships and collaborations; adapting to changing community dynamics; maintaining civil conversations; utilizing technology for community networking; and refining personal leadership skills. The conference schedule and descriptions of the general and concurrent sessions are available online. The conference will feature dynamic speakers such as:

  • Ezra Escudero, financial advocate for 21st Century Financial
  • Curt Moody, CEO of Moody-Nolan, Inc.
  • TyKiah Wright, executive director and founder of Wright Choice, Inc.
  • Ann Fisher, radio host/executive producer, WOSU Stations

A pre-conference will be held on April 12. Investing in Community Leaders: It’s Not Black and White is dedicated to helping leaders better serve their communities by understanding and appreciating how diversity enriches any type of community. The goal of the pre-conference is to help leaders look at diversity from different perspectives, learn how to blend diverse contributions, and share challenges and best practices of diversity in community leadership. The pre-conference will feature:

  • general session led by the Honorable Laurel Beatty
  • three concurrent sessions
  • panel discussion entitled “Leading Past Labels”
  • closing reception and conversation

The Leadership for Tomorrow Conference is sponsored by OSU Extension; the Gist Endowed Chair for Extension Education and Leadership; the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences; and Epsilon Sigma Phi – Alpha Eta Chapter. For more information, visit the Leadership for Tomorrow Conference Web site.

The New 3-R's: Refresh and Reconnect with Research

Need to update your research skills? The Department of Human and Community Resource Development is offering a special research methods workshop for Extension and CFAES professionals on April 29 from 9:30 a.m-3 p.m. at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center (Eastman Room). The outcome will be to refresh and reconnect the principles and techniques for conducting quality and rigorous research.

This refresher research workshop content will include how to plan, conduct, and report research in a scholarly setting. Specific workshop instruction will include:

  • the research process
  • the research or grant proposal
  • selecting and defining the problem
  • reporting related literature
  • objectives and hypothesis
  • issues of validity and reliability
  • various research designs 

The workshop will be taught by Dr. Jamie Cano, associate professor, Department of Human and Community Resource Development. Class size will be limited to 25 people. The cost of the workshop is $20 for refreshments, lunch, and handouts. To register and make your payment, go to https://regonline.com/seriesleadership. If you have questions, call the OSU Leadership Center at 614-292-3114 or e-mail Jeff King (king.20@osu.edu) or Jamie Cano (cano.1@osu.edu).

CFAES SAC Professional Development Award

Want to brush up on your computer skills or attend a conference, but you need a little help with the registration fee? The CFAES Staff Advisory Council (SAC) is now accepting applications for our new professional development award. See the attached document for guidelines and the application form. Forms are due to Amber Pasternak by April 15, and recipients will be notified by the beginning of May. This award is made possible through Campus Campaign donations to the SAC Training Fund.

 For more information about SAC, click the following link: http://sac.ag.ohio-state.edu/.

2011 OARDC Annual Research Conference - April 28

-Dr. Steve Slack, associate vice president for agricultural administration and
director, OARDC

I want to personally invite you and encourage your participation in the 2011 OARDC Annual Research Conference – to be held at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center in Columbus.

This year we are changing the format for our conference. Based on issues related to the tornado and other related circumstances, the OARDC directors felt it was best to reduce the conference to a half-day (9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.), but would like to continue the annual tradition of giving out faculty and student awards, and new this year an award for staff in the poster competition.

Agenda
9:00     Registration and Poster Set-Up
9:30     Dr. Bobby Moser, Vice President and Dean
9:40     Dr. Steven Slack, Director
10:00   Poster session and viewing
11:30   Hors d’oeuvres
11:30   Awards Ceremony

  1. Distinguished Research Award for Top Junior Faculty and
    Top Senior Faculty
  2. Innovator of the Year Award
  3. Krauss Award recognizing the best student research paper
  4. Poster Competition on Graduate Student Research Projects and Research Staff.

All attendees must register online for the conference at the Web site below. This includes students and staff who are submitting posters to the poster site. Poster competition details and registration can be found online: http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/annualconference/.

Important Dates: Poster submission is required by March 15 (poster title and abstract submissions were required by March 1). Conference registration is required by 5 p.m. on April 15.

Climate Change and Resilience in Agricultural Ecosystems - Offered Spring Quarter

This course will provide a guided opportunity for students to explore the literature on climate change, predicted impacts on agriculture and forestry in general and impacts on pest management in particular. Class discussions will be based on a combination of assigned readings and literature selected by the students. Each student will contribute a section to a synthesis of the literature on climate change, in annual review format. Topics will include climate change evidence and predictions including uncertainty in climate change models, and predicted impacts on managed ecosystem structure and function. Students will develop a conceptual framework for evaluating new literature and new efforts to position managed ecosystems for sustainability and resilience. Guests will include spring quarter speakers in the entomology seminar series. 

Instructors: Dr. Casey W. Hoy (hoy.1@osu.edu), professor of entomology and Kellogg Endowed Chair in Agricultural Ecosystems Management, and Dr. Daniel A. Herms (herms.2@osu.edu), professor of entomology and associate chair, Department of Entomology. The class will meet one time per week, Wednesdays 1-3 p.m., in Wooster and Columbus by video link. ENTOMOL 795.05 (Call No: 28982); credit hours: 2; course grading: S/U.

National Conference on Diversity, Race & Learning - May 3

During the 40th year of celebration of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, all are invited to the 17th annual National Conference on Diversity, Race & Learning – http://odi.osu.edu/ncdrl. The conference will be held May 3 at OSU’s Fawcett Conference Center. Over the years, representatives from more than 60 corporate, local, state and federal entities; and more than 80 academic unitsincluding regional campuses have participated in this important dialogue/enrichment.

The theme of the day is “Shifting Paradigms: Progressive Pathways to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.” Co-hosts are the Huntington National Bank, OSU’s Division of Student Life, and OSU’s Office of Continuing Education. Registration information is published on the conference Web site.