Central State University Extension: Agriculture and Natural Resources Programs

1. Presented by:Oliver Freeman Program Leader Agriculture and Natural Resources CESTA/Cooperative Extension

2. Central State University • Always operated as a part of Wilberforce University; In 1887, a state-sponsored department that provided teacher training and vocational education essentially started what would become Central State College in 1947,and then Central State University by 1965 once University status was achieved. • Acquired its 1890 Land-Grant Institution Status in 2014; Expanding Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Agriculture (STEM-Ag) academic programming, research and education.

3. Central State University Research (Currently and Upcoming) • Agronomy – Plant and Soil Science • Apiculture (Bee-Keeping) • Aquaponics (Aquaculture + Hydroponics) • Forestry (Agroforestry) • Horticulture – Fruit and Vegetable Prod. (Natr. Products) • Water Resource Management (Water Quality) • In addition to these, CSU is doing research in Environmental, and Manufacturing Engineering.

4. Central State University Extension (Currently and Upcoming) • 4 Primary Programming Areas: • 4-H/Youth Development (4-H) • Provides positive youth development programs to create a pathway for Ohioan youth to grow into responsible citizens and caring adults. • Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) • Programs aim to address the issues faced by many Ohioans in areas such as soil, plant, water, and nutrient relationships, watershed protection and management, natural resource and environmental economics, aquatic and terrestrial life, and more. • Community and Economic Development (CED) • Community and Economic Development’s primary aim of this program is to address community development and revitalization, local economic development, and small business development.  • Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) • Family & Consumer Science programs provide education in the areas of health & nutrition, childhood obesity, family relations, and financial literacy. These programs impart knowledge and practical applications to build stronger families and communities as well as address issues related to families and communities.

5. Central State University Extension (ANR) • Primarily focused on the same items as research. • Extension is working on ways to disseminate and deliver beneficial information and research results to both rural and urban communities. • We currently are official in the following counties: (NOT LIMITED TO) • Athens (Nelsonville) • Butler (Cincinnati) • Cuyahoga (Cleveland) • Franklin (Columbus) • Hamilton (Cincinnati) • Lucas (Toledo) • Montgomery (Dayton)

6. Central State University Extension (ANR) - Current • Aquaponics (Workshop) • Cover Crops (Conference) • Extended Growing Season (Workshop) • Small Farmers Conference • Future Programming: • Agribusiness/economics • Ag-Marketing <--------- • Advanced outreach and educational efforts: • (online training, webinars, workshops, conferences, field days)

7. Central State University Extension (ANR) - FUTURE • Outreach and educational efforts provided by CSU Extension and Research is limited to ABSOLUTELY NO ONE!!! However, we truly want to reach out to where a great need has been expressed including (To name a few…): • New and Beginning Farmers (Producers) • Veteran (Armed Forces) Farmers • Limited Resource and Minority Farmers • Potential University Partnerships • Extension and Research

8. Central State University Extension (ANR) - FUTURE • Provide education and training on how to legally start your ag-based business (all types) in addition to making continuous training available to help keep business owners up with the latest trends of their business. • Increase knowledge and awareness of resources available and additional programs made available to farmers and producers. Create training programs through online activities and outdoor events (workshops, field days).

9. Central State University Extension (ANR) • Future Programming (Just to name a few): • AgrAbility (Funding) • Crop Protection and Pest MgmtPrg (Funding) • New and Beginning Farmers (Funding) • Organic Transition (Funding) • Organic Farming (Funding)