OSU Extension, Cuyahoga County
Purpose:
Ohio State University Extension in Cuyahoga County gives local residents easy access to the resources and expertise of The Ohio State University. Through educational programs, publications, and events, Extension educators deliver unbiased, research-based information to Cuyahoga County citizens. We can answer your questions on a wide array of topics. To find out how we can help you, browse our site or contact us by email or phone.
What makes OSU Extension unique is our ability to link the resources of the university to those of local communities to help people solve problems. Volunteer leaders work with the professional staff to multiply Extension's educational outreach.
A report of activiites can be found in Making a Difference in Cuyahoga County.
Extension staff and volunteers serve six program areas in Cuyahoga County in response to locally identified issues and needs:
- Horticulture and Natural Resources
- Community Gardening
- Family and Consumer Sciences
- 4-H Youth Development
- Nutrition and Food Safety
- Community Development
Purpose | History | Mission | Vision | Advisory Committee | Staffing | Donate
History of Extension:
Cooperative Extension was an outgrowth of the land-grant colleges and universities that were originally established by the Morrill Act of 1862. Each state was provided a grant of land to start a public university to educate the common person. In Ohio, that university is The Ohio State University. The Morrill Act of 1890 added traditionally Black Colleges and Universities in the then segregated southern states.
The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 extended the purpose of the land-grant universities to include educational outreach to the people of the state. The educational outreach was originally to farmers and provided education on the most modern farming techniques. Later, home economics and youth development were included in the educational outreach. The system expanded to every county in every state of the United States of America.
Today, the Cooperative Extension system has developed to provide educational outreach in the practical issues that all Americans face. Significant programming is done in metropolitan communities addressing issues of
- Economic well-being
- Positive youth development
- Environmental enhancement
- Community Development
- Healthy lifestyles (food and nutrition)
- Life skills (parenting, personal financial management, leadership)
OSU Extension in Cuyahoga County is proud to be an innovator and leader in the Extension mission of The Ohio State University, Ohio's land-grant university.
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Our mission:
Helping the people of Cuyahoga County improve the quality of their lives through educational partnerships.
Vision of Ohio State University Extension:
OSU Extension is a dynamic educational entity that partners with individuals, families, communities, business and industry, and organizations to strengthen the lives of Ohioans. As Extension educations, we:
- Focus on critical economic, environmental, leadership, and youth and family issues.
- Engage people in lifelong learning.
- Apply knowledge and practical research to the diverse needs and interests of Ohioans in rural, suburban, and urban communities.
- Extend resources of The Ohio State University.
- Recruit and develop volunteers to multiply Extension's efforts while developing their leadership potential.
- Enhance teamwork through networking and connectedness.
- Link youth, family, and community needs to scholars in Ohio and nationwide.
- Teach with cutting-edge strategies using new technologies.
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OSU Extension, Cuyahoga County
Advisory Committee:
Term ending December, 2006
Barbara Anderson
Karil Bialostosky
William Boag
Judy Cramer
Jose Delgado
Mike Hudak
Lametris Joiner
Dorcus Johnson
Paul Mendezoff
Mary O'Rourke
Susan Pelleg
Lucille Short
Term ending December, 2007
Laurie Atkins
Barb Clint
Kathy Hexter
Todd Houser
Yvonne Tufts Jeans
David Kircher
Marie Kittredge
Nan McIntyre
Barbara Riley
Lewis West
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Our Staff:
Administrative
Marisa Warrix, Acting County Chair
Rae Sabo, Administrative Office Associate
Community Economic Development
Walter Williams, Extension Educator
Family & Consumer Sciences
Marisa Warrix, Extension Educator
Kelly Hendricks, Program Assistant
Candace Wiggins, Program Assistant
Donna Baffa, Office Assistant
4-H Youth Development
Gregory Siek, Extension Educator
Gregory Yost, Extension Educator
Robin Stone, Program Assistant
Dina Allen, Office Assistant
Horticulture/Urban Gardening/Master Gardeners
Michael Loos, Extension Educator
Elle Adams, Urban Gardening Program Coordinator
Julia Barton, Program Assistant
Morgan Taggart, STEPS Program Assistant
Terry Nemenz, Juvenile Court Employee
Ruth Maggiora, Office Assistant
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)
Punam Ohri-Vachaspati, Extension Educator
Odette Boone, Program Assistant
Sujata Burgess, Program Assistant
Chris Dana, Program Assistant
Josephine Jones-Lucky, Nutrition Educator
Carolyn Klich, Program Assistant
Ada Melendez, Program Assistant
Janet Minor, Program Assistant
Shirley Oldham, Program Assistant
Minerva Santana, Program Assistant
Angelica Sotelo, Program Assistant
Sharon Teel, Program Assistant
Kimberly Williams, Program Assistant
Martha Lipis, Office Assistant
Donate:
You can make a donation to support The Ohio State University Extension office in Cuyahoga County with this Donation Form in PDF format.
Purpose | History | Mission | Vision | Advisory Committee | Staffing | Donate