Engaging Communities & Transforming Lives! Many have asked… ”What is happening with Extension?” Well, to say the least, a lot! I am glad to briefly report that Central State University Extension (CSUE) has done a remarkable job developing, designing, and building an Extension organization with a community-based focus! CSUE’s mission has been to deliver research-based educational programs to address local issues, especially in the socioeconomic, limited resource, underrepresented in urban and rural communities in Ohio for the purpose of improving the quality of lives and sustaining healthy communities. This edition share some things about CSUE. COUNTY AGENTS: These planned programs target issues all over Ohio, but particularly those with emphasis in Butler, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Lucas, Montgomery, and Greene counties. PROGRAMS Central State University Cooperative Extension Service ◊ E.J. Emery Hall ◊ 1400 Brush Row Road ◊ Wilberforce, OH 45384-1004 Volume 1 ◊ Issue 1 ◊ July 2017 OVERVIEW Central State University was designated as an 1890 Land Grant Institution on February 7, 2014. Most people, however, are unaware that Central State University Extension (CSUE) did not receive federal or state funds to support its administrative or technical programming until February 2016. Shortly after receiving funding, CSUE determined the Extension framework, designed the Extension organization, developed the Extension details, and has been implementing Extension programs. This has been a monumental task! Our immediate goal has been to mobile resources and develop programs to provide assistance to clientele across Ohio. To date, CSUE has been structured, created 14 programs, and has hired 15 of the 20 original planned personnel based our Fiscal 2016 federal and state funding level. Strategically, CSUE has partnered with organizations such as USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS), Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA), and New Concepts Management Solution to initially strengthen our technical capacity to service communities. Further, CSUE has County Agents staffed in all 5 of Ohio’s major city locations. Our Agents allow us to connect to local communities in order to conduct research-based educational programming. Along with support staff, our agents have been planning, designing, and implementing programs for Family and Consumer Science, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Community Economic Development, and 4-H Youth Development program areas. To help Ohioans, CSUE programs focus on the five following impact areas: - Improving Agriculture, Plant, and Economics - Creating Youth Pathways to Success - Developing Better Social Economic Sustainable Communities - Building Families and Communities - Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program As the newest land-grant institution in Ohio, CSUE has developed several programs to engage families, assist urban and rural agriculture communities, and promote youth development. ADMINISTRATIVE Ohio Ambrose Moses Cleveland Brittany Jones Toledo Kevin McGhee Donna Kuykendall Dayton Lisa Craig Cincinnati Renita Porter Columbus 1. Improving Agriculture, Plant Sciences and Economics • Farmer Conferences, Tours and Workshops • Pesticide Certification • CBG Water Quality/Aquaponics Extension Program • CSU’s Urban Gardener Workshops • Extending Your Growing Season • Urban Agriculture Programs o Aquaponics/aquaculture o Community Gardens o Farmers Markets Dr. Clarence Bunch ADMINISTRATIVE PROGRAMS EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND PLANNING WITH ORGANIZATIONS FUTURE RELATIONSHIPS SPOTLIGHTS INSIDE Discussion: