FROM THE DIRECTOR Dear reader,
Land-Grant Tripartite Mission As an 1890 Land-Grant University, Central State University is committed to serving its constituents via its tripartite mission of Extension, Research, and Teaching.
Welcome to the Winter 2026 issue of Central State University’s Central Ag Focus. I’m delighted to share this season’s stories and the momentum we’re building across campus and in communities across Ohio. Our cover story celebrates the Research and Demonstration Complex, a project moving steadily from blueprint to reality. The current phase centers on the Agricultural Research Building, which will house soil and water, food science and nutrition, smart ag tech, and a shared core instrumentation lab. Demonstration plots and a farm equipment storage facility will support hands-on learning and Extension field days. Recent milestones foundation work, utility rough ins, site grading, parking lighting, and an illuminated monument sign show steady progress. The facility will become partially operational in spring 2026. Office, meeting, and public spaces on the first floor will be available. The storage facility will follow as it is expected to be operational in summer 2026. Construction of additional labs will proceed during Spring and Summer and are expected to be fully functional by the Fall semester of 2026. The RDC brings research, teaching and extension together to fulfil the University’s tripartite Land-Grant mission, train students as the next generation of agriculture professionals, support farmers and spark entrepreneurship. This issue also highlights the people and programs that bring our tripartite mission to life: summer camps that spark curiosity, 4-H experiences that build head, heart, hands and health, and Seed-to- Bloom’s blend of STEM and soil work. You will also read about efforts to strengthen ties with the Black Indigenous People of Color Food and Farming Network , farmers, Money Smart workshops that boost financial resilience, and student internships that turn classroom learning into real-world impact. CSU students are gaining hands-on experience through paid internships and innovative research projects in areas such as honeybee genomics, nutrition and human health, plant molecular science, and soil, water and sustainable agriculture, preparing them for graduate study and STEM careers and industry workforce. Their work is guided by CSU faculty and external research partners, including featured insights from Six Questions for the Researcher: Craig Schluttenhofer, Ph.D., highlighting ongoing hemp research and its real-world impact. We also celebrate personal journeys from Fast Track Farming stories to student research profiles that connect research and community health. Thank you to our faculty, staff, students and partners for your dedication as together, we embark on our tripartite mission as an 1890 Land-Grant Institution. Enjoy this newsmagazine issue, share the stories, and take pride in the progress we’re making together.
Wishing you a happy and healthy new year.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jose U. Toledo Vice President for Research and Economic Development Director, 1890 Land-Grant Programs
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