[All-extension] Director's Update

[Rennekamp, Roger A.]

Hi Everyone,

Well, it is not raining at the moment.  Hopefully we have settled into a more typical summer-like weather pattern. Unfortunately that doesn’t undo the damage that an extraordinarily wet spring has inflicted on Ohio farmers.  Wet weather is certainly bad enough, but its impacts are magnified by a myriad of other issues farmers are currently facing including labor shortages, environmental concerns, international trade, and other market pressures.  As a result, many farmers are experiencing levels of stress not seen in the agricultural community in several decades.  They are turning to Extension professionals for advice.  Some just want someone to talk to.  Our Rural and Farm Stress Task Force was established earlier this spring to identify resources and programs that can be adopted in Ohio to address some of the issues that farmers are currently facing.  They have completed the early stages of their work and are constructing a website where our faculty and staff can go for the latest information.  Look for an announcement regarding that site very soon.  The Task Force is led by Dee Jepsen and Jami Dellifield. Pat Bebo is serving as the administrative advisor to the group.

In a few short days, Gary Pierzynski (Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education) and I will be submitting our joint research and Extension plan of work to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.  This year, we are submitting our first truly joint plan aligned around five critical issues that transcend the two mission areas.  These are health and wellness, economic vitality, food security and production, environmental quality and sustainability, and thriving across the lifespan.  As you can see, these critical issues align well Extension’s six priorities. Thanks to Debby Lewis and Kayla Arnold for their hard work in drafting the plan.  I also want to recognize the work of our Extension Program Council in helping putting the meat on the bones of the plan.

As many of you know, I’ve had the pleasure of being a member of the leadership team responsible for conducting the Food Systems Leadership Institute (FSLI) offered by the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities established with funding from the W K Kellogg Foundation.  Each year, roughly two dozen fellows from across the nation participate in three residential sessions held at North Carolina State University, The Ohio State University, and Cal Poly.  I serve as site director for the session at Ohio State and recently returned from the session held in San Luis Obispo, California.  I’ve truly enjoyed helping fellows develop the skills they need to serve as the “next generation” leaders of the America’s public universities.  A highlight of the recent session was visiting with agricultural producers, packers, and shippers located in the Salinas Valley, also known as America’s salad bowl.

Have a great week!

Roger


[he Ohio State University]
Roger A. Rennekamp, PhD
Director, OSU Extension
Professor and Associate Dean
College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences
3 Agricultural Administration Building
2120 Fyffe Road
Columbus, OH 43210
614-292-7614 Office
rennekamp.3 at osu.edu<mailto:rennekamp.3 at osu.edu> osu.edu<http://osu.edu/>


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