Smith Earns CFAES Alumni Meritorious Service Award
Keith Smith served as director for OSU Extension for 23 years. During his time of service, Smith was a strong leader who brought the best out in others and remained flexible and adaptable to ensure that OSU Extension was the best it could be. Under his leadership, OSU Extension maintained a presence in every Ohio county and pushed its critical programs to provide quality service to its patrons. This included a 4-H program that was second to none in the United States in its size and quality, more articles in the Journal of Extension, and more awards presented to county staff in their national meetings than any other Extension program across the country for many of the years during his leadership. Other contributions from Smith’s tenure include the establishment of the annual Ohio 4-H Foundation Celebration of Youth, development of the OSU Leadership Center, and the expansion of programs and content offered by OSU Extension to meet all Ohioans’ needs. Remarkably, many of these accomplishments occurred when there were significant Extension state line-item budget allocation reductions. In 1998, Smith was named associate vice president for agricultural administration, and his duties were extended beyond CFAES to the university at large. Being the team player he is, Smith embraced agency partnerships, stakeholder feedback, and the elimination of academic silos. Smith is also a recipient of Extension’s National Distinguished Service Award; a member of the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame; and president of his temple, which serves 50,000-plus members of Ohio with a regular biweekly volunteer force of 650 individuals.
Helt Inducted into National 4-H Hall of Fame
Ohio 4-H youth development is honored to recognize Jim Helt, the newest member of the National 4-H Hall of Fame. Helt was inducted into the 2023 class in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 9 at the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals annual conference.
Helt is the retired state 4-H program leader for Ohio State University Extension at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
Helt was recognized for his 47 years of service to 4-H, both in Ohio and the country. From his start as a 4-H agent in Hamilton and Pickaway counties, Helt’s lifetime of work had an enormous impact on youth and 4-H professionals.
“Jim’s passion for positive youth development led to unparalleled learning and leadership opportunities,” — Kirk Bloir, state 4-H leader and assistant director, OSU Extension.
Following his retirement, Helt served as a development officer for CFAES and the Ohio 4-H Foundation board of trustees. Under his leadership, $30 million was raised for scholarships, endowment funds, and other youth opportunities. He was integral to the fundraising campaign to build the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center on Ohio State’s Columbus campus.
Helt has also been inducted into the Ohio 4-H Hall of Fame, Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame, the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame and is the recipient of OSU Extension’s Meritorious Service Award.
The National 4-H Hall of Fame was established in 2002 as a partnership of the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents, National 4-H Council, 4-H National Headquarters, and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources Recognizes Apsley with Cardinal Award
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has named Dave Apsley, an Extension specialist with The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, a 2023 Cardinal Award recipient.
Apsley, a natural resources state specialist for Ohio State University Extension, has more than 30 years of professional experience in forestry and natural resources education, management, and research.He gives leadership to the A DAY in the WOODS program, an outreach effort for Appalachian Ohio woodland owners. This program recently hosted its 100th workshop and regularly brings together 17 community partners that buttress the program’s impact.
Per ODNR: “The Cardinal Award, created in 1971, honors individuals and organizations that demonstrate exceptional awareness and concern for ideas reflected in the department’s mission statement: to ensure a balance between the wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all.”
In addition to the A DAY in the WOODS program, Apsley has helped develop other forestry projects in Ohio including Call Before You Cut, the Ohio Woodland Stewards, and the Ohio Society of American Foresters Directory.
Prior to coming to Ohio State in 2000, Apsley taught forest management technology at Hocking College. He also has experience working for the Department of Army in Fort Knox, KY and for the School of Forest Resources at the University of Georgia.
“Every aspect of David’s work fulfills Extension’s mission of empowering Ohioans by way of sciencebased knowledge that can be applied to better the world around us,” said Jackie Kirby Wilkins, associate dean and director, OSU Extension.
“He works tirelessly to see that landowners in Appalachiancommunities and across Ohio are equipped with the information they need to make critical decisions about the woodlands they manage. The partnerships David has built between Extension and other state organizations and agencies sets the bar for his colleagues across the nation. We are truly humbled that David has chosen to serve the natural resources industry and Ohio citizens through OSU Extension.”
Apsley was presented with this award on July 26 during a special presentation at the Ohio State Fair. He was one of seven individuals were honored with the Cardinal Award this year.
To learn more about Apsley’s Extension work and upcoming workshops, visit u.osu.edu/apsley.1.
Minter named as Field Specialist, Specialty Crops Production Systems at Ohio State
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Logan Minter has been hired as field specialist, specialty crops production systems, for Ohio State University Extension in The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
Minter, who previously worked as an associate professor of biology at Shawnee State University, began his new position August 1, said Jacqueline Kirby Wilkins, associate dean and director, OSU Extension. OSU Extension is the outreach arm of CFAES.
“In this new role, Logan will provide overall leadership for a comprehensive outreach, applied research, and teaching agenda for Extension’s statewide agriculture and natural resources program,” Wilkins said. “Logan’s work with specialty crops will be relevant to Extension professionals, growers, industry contacts, and other Extension clientele throughout Ohio.”
Specialty crops as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture include fruits, vegetables, nuts, nursery crops, flowers, and other horticultural crops. Minter will address several priority production issues such as pest control, disease management, production methods, organization systems, and breeding and varietal trials of new cultivars.
“We are very pleased to welcome Logan to a leadership role within our specialty crops team of professionals at Piketon and OSU Extension across the state, as well as with other departments within CFAES and colleges at Ohio State,” said Tom Worley, director at OSU South Centers, where Minter will be based. “Logan is widely experienced with specialty crops, both from a farming and research perspective.
“He will collaborate with peers, stakeholder clientele, and industry leaders to address specialty crop needs statewide via research, field trials, and securing resources to assist growers and others.” — Tom Worley
Minter said he looks forward to partnering with Ohio farmers and producers who grow and manage specialty horticultural crops, conducting research in best practices, innovating new ways to deliver educational programs to this unique audience, providing resources, and collaborating with colleagues.
“My primary focus will be working with growers and other stakeholder groups to develop and disseminate sustainable practices to diversity and strengthen the agricultural community of Ohio,” Minter said. “I most look forward to exploring new opportunities to efficiently manage natural resources and meet new challenges as they emerge.”
Prior to joining OSU Extension, Minter most recently worked as an associate professor of biology at Shawnee State University. He also worked as an instructor and adjunct faculty in several roles, as well as a program director, research assistant, laboratory technician, and naturalist.
Minter joins other OSU Extension field specialists, who each have a particular subject matter focus and provide overall leadership for a comprehensive teaching and applied research program to address statewide issues. Field specialists work to expand existing partnerships, develop new relationships, and foster collaborations across the state, including with university researchers, to complement local Extension educators’ efforts.
Other topics addressed by Extension field specialists include beef cattle; community economics; agronomic systems; farm management; food, nutrition, and wellness; energy development; manure nutrient management systems; agricultural and resource law; food safety; youth nutrition and wellness; family wellness; ecosystems services; organizational and community leadership development; and dairy management and precision livestock.
“Please join OSU Extension in welcoming Logan Minter to this new field specialist role, which will be vital to the success of Ohio’s specialty crop industry,” Wilkins said. “His research, outreach, and advocacy on behalf of specialty crop producers will be key to addressing the needs of this large, but often very unique industry.
Murumkar named as Field Specialist, Ecosystems Services at Ohio State
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Asmita Murumkar has been hired as field specialist, ecosystem services for Ohio State University Extension in The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
Murumkar, who previously served as a research scientist in the CFAES Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering (FABE), began her new position July 1, said Jacqueline Kirby Wilkins, associate dean and director, OSU Extension. OSU Extension is the outreach arm of CFAES.
“In this important position, Asmita will provide vital leadership for a comprehensive applied ecosystems services program with an emphasis on carbon research and Extension outreach for agriculture and natural resources in Ohio,” Wilkins said.
Murumkar will work with OSU Extension educators and other CFAES colleagues to provide education and training for Ohio landowners, students, and the general public about carbon markets, soil carbon, soil health improvements, water quality, and nutrient trading. She also will lead efforts to encourage and increase the use of sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices across all types of production systems and models of Ohio agriculture and natural resources.
“We are very pleased to have Asmita on board to contribute and collaborate with other university and industry researchers, faculty, and Extension educators,” said Sam Custer, interim assistant director, Agriculture and Natural Resources, OSU Extension. “Her on-farm research, outreach education efforts, and scholarly work will help us help others to improve soil health, urban soil remediation, sustainable agriculture, and community food systems across the state.”
Murumkar said she looks forward to being a resource for Ohio farmers and producers, forest managers, landowners, industry leaders and professionals, Extension colleagues, and others on soil carbon and the whole area of ecosystems services and management.
“My primary focus will be on helping Ohio farmers to improve soil health, water quality, and agricultural productivity by assisting on payment-for-ecosystems-services schemes and providing guidance on conservation practices resiliency to handle extreme weather events,” she said. “These ecosystems services significantly impact the lives of Ohioans from farm to table.”
Prior to accepting this role, Murumkar’s work as a research scientist in FABE focused on leading several stakeholder-driven projects that included working with watershed models, analyzing agricultural best management practices (BMPs) and farm decision tools, and evaluating hydrologic models to determine BMPs impact on water quality.
Prior to that, she served as a postdoctoral scholar within FABE, a postdoctoral researcher at the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center at Ohio State, and as a research fellow in the Department of Hydrology at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India.
Murumkar joins other OSU Extension field specialists, who each have a particular subject matter focus and provide overall leadership for a comprehensive teaching and applied research program to address statewide issues. Field specialists work to expand existing partnerships, develop new relationships, and foster collaborations across the state, including with university researchers, to complement local Extension educators’ efforts.
Other topics addressed by Extension field specialists include beef cattle; community economics; agronomic systems; farm management; food, nutrition, and wellness; energy development; manure nutrient management systems; agricultural and resource law; food safety; youth nutrition and wellness; family wellness; organizational and community leadership development; and dairy management and precision livestock.
“Please join OSU Extension in welcoming Asmita Murumkar to this new field specialist role, which is important to the continuing success of Ohio’s agricultural production industry and natural resources throughout the state,” Wilkins said. “Her support of all Extension professionals also will be a valuable tool in our work for all Ohioans.”