Engaging Communities and Transforming Lives: CSU EXTENSION HIGHLIGHTS FROM FISCAL YEAR 2023
(Top Left) Teen Cuisine (Top Right) Learning beekeeping basics (Bottom Left) Beginning Farmer program site (Bottom Right) Mobile food kitchen for demonstrations
For more information about programming, please contact:
Alcinda “Cindy” Folck
afolck@centralstate.edu
(937) 376-6101
Interim Associate Extension Administrator / Program Leader, Agriculture and Natural Resources
Janet Corne’y
jcorney@centralstate.edu
(937) 376-6694
Interim Program Leader, 4-H Youth Development
Mark Rendleman
mrendleman@centralstate.edu
(937) 376-6088
Program Leader, Community and Economic Development
Renita Porter
rporter@centralstate.edu
(937) 376-6568
Program Leader, Family and Consumer Science
Community-Based Programming Central State University (CSU) Extension is committed to bringing research-based practices to Ohioans to transform lives and engage communities. As an 1890 Land-Grant Institution, CSU Extension is focused on outreach and education for underserved and underrepresented populations in urban and rural areas. CSU Extension targets programming in 42 Ohio counties in both urban and rural areas. In FY 2023, CSU Extension implemented 18 programs through four program areas: 4-H, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Community and Economic Development, and Family and Consumer Sciences. These programs offered 851 activities and engaged 16,626 participation contacts and included more than 42 counties in Ohio. Education was provided to meet the needs of the targeted audience, especially Black/African Americans and low-income communities.
Distribution of CSU Extension participants
% Positive Response About CSUE Program Activities
My knowledge increased
95%
45%
4%
2% 1%
The information I learned is useful
98%
48%
I can apply this knowledge
91%
American Indian or Alaskan Native
Asian
Overall rating of the activity (at least 4/5 or 3/4)
93%
Black or African American
Two or More Races
White
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
4-H programs provide youth with the tools needed to lead healthy, satisfying and productive lives where they contribute to their community as youth and later as adults. 4-H is committed to Workforce Development and providing youth with opportunities to learn about STEM careers and skills needed to be successful.
4-H youth also build skills in teamwork, leadership, public speaking, and community service. In FY 2023, 4-H implemented three programs: 4-H Youth Development In-School Enrichment and After-school Programs, 4-H STEM Challenge, and Development and Nurturing of Youth in Science Education and STEM Career Pathways (day/residential camps of various themes). These programs offered 58 activities and engaged 3,087 participation contacts across 8 counties in Ohio. The programs targeted vulnerable populations including minorities in inner-cities and underserved rural communities. 4-H also strives to involve the communities to invest in the lives of the younger generation by recruiting adults to volunteer in the in-school enrichment and after-school programs. In FY 2023, the program involved 100 volunteer contacts (78 females and 22 males). Cooking healthy meals
Participation Contacts
Program
Activities
4-H In-School and After-School Programs
44
2811
4-H STEM Challenge
4
78
Development And Nurturing of Youth
9
186
(Top Left) Urban farming with tower gardens (Top Right) Learning to code with LEGO (Bottom Left) Learning to jump rope (Bottom Right) Learning about poultry farming
AGRICULTURE and NATURAL RESOURCES (ANR)
The Agriculture and Natural Resources Program with CSU Extension develops, conducts, and promotes programs to create sustainable farms that are stewards of the environment, improve quality of life for the farmer and the community, and are profitable now and for future generations. Programs, workshops, classes, and field days are available on topics important to small-scale farms. In-depth learning is available on various topics through hands-on and interactive classes.
In FY 2023, ANR implemented five programs: Beginning Farmer, Forestry and Agroforestry, Organic Production, Small-Scale Farms, and Soilless Production Systems. These programs offered 264 activities and engaged 2,767 participation contacts across 29 counties in Ohio. Education was provided to meet the needs of the targeted audience, especially Black/African Americans and low-income communities.
Topics included agricultural sustainability, livestock production, pollinator health, honeybee management, on-farm food safety, aquaponics, hydroponics, organic farming, composting, crop planning and management, soil health, specialty crops, smart irrigation, and water quality. Farm to you
Participation Contacts
Program
Activities
Beginning Farmer
189
1613
Forestry and Agroforestry
13
273
Organic Production
53
746
Small-Scale Farms
44
488
Soilless Production Systems 109 *The sum of the activities and contacts may not equal the total count of 264 and 2767, respectively, because certain classes were categorized under more than one program. 14
% Positive Response About ANR Program Activities
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Beginning Farmer
Forestry and Agroforestry
Organic Production
Small-Scale Farms
Soilless Production Systems
My knowledge increased
I can apply this knowledge
Overall rating of the activity (at least 4/5 or 3/4)
Note: Data based on < 15 responses are not reported
COMMUNITY and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (CED)
The Community and Economic Development team works to create pathways to success by empowering communities, organizations, and individuals through education and technical assistance.
Ribbon cutting for the opening of a new local business
Workforce Development is another key area of focus for Community and Economic Development. Connecting individuals with resources to improve their skills and training will help them prepare for the workforce. These program are open to all adults, regardless of age or educational background. In FY 2023, CED implemented five programs: Beginning Farmer; CED Office Hour Live; Ready, Set Grow! Agribusiness; Ready, Set, Grow! Small Business; and Step-Up Workforce. The programs offered 102 activities and engaged 710 participants. Education was provided to meet the needs of the targeted audience including small business owners, agribusiness owners, and local community members. Topics included small-business development and entrepreneurship, agricultural entrepreneurship, farm financial management, community planning and development, criminal record expungement, money management, and workforce development.
Participation Contacts
Program
Activities
Beginning Farmer
7
46
148 (plus 350 YouTube views)
CED Office Hour Live
22
Agribusiness Development
43
304
Small Business Development
35
223
Step Up Workforce 31 *The sum of the activities and contacts may not equal the total count of 102 and 710, respectively, because certain classes were categorized under more than one program. 1
“I’m already thinking of creating a space next year! I like how I feel empowered to try a site myself.” ~ A participant in the Beginning Farmer program
(Top) Urban Farm Business Planning workshop for the Beginning Farmer program (Bottom) Tour of the NECIC urban farm with OSU in Mansfield
FAMILY and CONSUMER SCIENCE (FCS) & EXPANDED FOOD and NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM (EFNEP)
Improving the overall conditions facing individuals and families in Ohio’s communities, as well as addressing agricultural issues in rural, urban, and Appalachia locations is the focus for FCS. Building Families and Communities is an FCS priority that addresses childhood obesity, family resilience, financial readiness, health, hunger, and environmental degration. In FY 2023, FCS/EFNEP implemented seven programs:
Beginning Farmer, Building Families, DEEP (Diabetes Empowerment Education Program), Eat Smart Live Strong, Let’s Get Tuned Up
and Turn It Around, My Plate Teen Cuisine, and QPR (Question, Persuade and Refer). These programs offered 428 activities and engaged 10,074 participation contacts across 26 counties in Ohio. These programs focus on improving the welfare of adults, youth, and children in low-income, underserved, and disadvantaged communities who are often at a greater risk of poor nutrition and subsequent illnesses with long-term effects. The programs are designed to ensure participants have the necessary knowledge, skills, and confidence to eat healthier, increase physical activity to decrease risks for chronic diseases, in addition to managing stress, anxiety, and depression. Encouraging movement to increase physical activity
Number of Participation Contacts
Number of Activities
Program
Beginning Farmer
2
6
Building Families
79
2763
DEEP
59
452
Eat Smart Live Strong
152
4862
Let’s Get Tuned Up
5
722
My Plate Teen Cuisine
133
1907
QPR 40 *The sum of the activities and contacts may not equal the total count of 428 and 10,074, respectively, because certain classes were categorized under more than one program. 2
% Positive Response About FCS Program Activities
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Building Families
DEEP
Eat Smart Live Strong
My knowledge increased
I can apply this knowledge
Overall rating of the activity (at least 4/5 or 3/4)
Note: Data based on < 15 responses are not reported
Programming available across Ohio in urban and rural areas CSU Extension focuses on underserved, underrepresented populations in Ohio. Focus counties are highlighted:
Lake
Lucas
Fulton
Williams
Ottawa
Geauga
Cuyahoga
Defiance
Sandusky Erie
Trumbull
Wood
Henry
Lorain
Portage
Huron
Paulding
Seneca
Medina
Putnam
Hancock
Van Wert
Wyandot
Wayne
Stark
Allen
Hardin
Carroll
Marion
Auglaize Mercer
Holmes
Knox
Logan
Shelby
Harrison
Coshocton
Delaware
Darke
Champaign
Licking
Guernsey
Miami
Belmont
Franklin
Clark
Noble
Preble
Fairfield Perry
Monroe
Greene
Morgan
Fayette
Washington
Hocking
Butler
Warren
Clinton
Athens
Ross
Vinton
Hamilton
Highland
Meigs
Pike
Brown
Adams
Scioto
CSU Extension Regions
Southern Southeast
Southwest
Northwest
Northeast
centralstate.edu/csuextension | (937) 376-6568
Central State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution
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