Edited by Joe E. Heimlich, Extension Specialist, Environmental Science

Letter from John Conglose & Greg Davis, Co-Interim Assistant Directors, Community Development

Whether in discussions with CountyCommissioners at CountyCommissioners’ Days and other meetings, or at a day-long Administrative Cabinet retreat, or at the College Faculty meeting, one of the underlying themes that continues to surface is the current budget situation.   The latest series of budget cuts has impacted the CD program area in several ways.  The Local Government Leadership position once held by Don Lacy will remain vacant indefinitely.  Specialists and Educators will continue to provide leadership programming when called upon. 

We will also continue to serve as Co-Interim AD’s for Community Development through June 30, 2008.  In an effort to better serve you and our clientele, a chart provided below lists the areas of responsibilities that that each one of us will be handling.  Please feel free to contact us when needed.   

For Your Information:

Small Business eXtension Website Launched

Small, micro, and home-based businesses have flourished over the past decade in urban, suburban, and rural areas.  An additional new resource for folks working in this area is now available through eXtension.  The fifth Community of Practice web site to be launched, Entrepreneurs and Their Communities, is now available at http://www.extension.org/entrepreneurship. Check it out!

Geographic Information Systems Program for Extension Professionals

The SustainableDevelopmentCenter will hold an introductory course/workshop pilot program for Extension professionals at the Caldwell E-Learning Center. The course will teach the basics of using computer mapping software platforms to integrate into their programs. Participants will learn ArcGIS 9.2 starting from the basics of GIS language, data collection, storage, cartography and working with existing GIS data and maps. The course will be held on October 3, 10, 17 and 31.  The first class will originate from the Caldwell E-Learning center and participants that are comfortable after the first week may be able to participate by distance learning for the remaining sessions.
 
No previous courses or formal knowledge of GIS is required.  Cost is $250 and includes:  formal instruction book with course packet and tutorials, a complete trial set of ArcGIS software for future lesson building, ideas and spatially based plans and knowledge for integrating these cutting edge tools into your curriculum. Registration deadline is September 30, 2007. For more info, or to register, contact Talia Brown via e-mail at brown.2934@osu.edu

Projects and Initiatives:

A Community Development Project with a Food Twist

The Smithsonian Institute’s “Key Ingredients: America By Food” is an exhibit exploring the regional food traditions and international influences of American food. The exhibit was scheduled to come to WoodCounty in May.  With that in mind, the convention and visitors bureau said, "what can the community do to promote the project?"  A group of community, county, and educational entities worked together to create a Food Ways Culinary Expo. The Sunday event brought together county businesses and mall merchants to showcase WoodCounty products and businesses and served as the kick-off for the opening of the Smithsonian Display.  Over 3000 people attended and 40 businesses, restaurants and merchants displayed their talents, services, and products. In the center stage, Zonya Foco, author and television host who combats obesity through her healthy food and nutrition messages was featured on several different healthy eating topics.  Demonstrations were followed by a reaction panel consisting of an Extension Educator, a business person, and an historian to discuss the history of food in northwest Ohio. Other food-related demonstrations occurred throughout the day. A baking contest with categories of nutrient dense or healthy cakes or pies, fruit pies and cakes without frosting was also held with winners demonstrating their skills at the Wood County Fair in August. 

The food event brought people together to work on a new concept for WoodCounty.  Working relations have been built and community members have greater knowledge of each other personally and professionally.  The event made a small profit to use as seed money for 2008, increased the traffic in the local mall, and added to the economic impact of the mall merchants. It was a winning effort for all that were involved. In 2008, the Food Expo will focus on a health related theme, a diabetic chef; screenings; and more healthy eating will be introduced.  For more information, contact Doris Herringshaw, Ed. D., WoodCounty at herringshaw.1@cfaes.osu.edu

Local Foods, Foodsheds, and the Consumer

One of the gaps in the local foods movement is communication to consumers in ways they can understand the complex issues and tools for community members in making food purchase decisions.  Whether in grocery stores, farmers’ markets, or restaurants, the myriad factors about food, energy, health, safety, and economics make decisions difficult.  We’re looking for a few Extension Educators who would like to work on a products-focused work-team to create resources for Extension Educators to use related to local foods and foodshed decisions.  If you’re interested in participating in this effort, contact Joe E. Heimlich at heimlich.1@osu.edu

Professional Development:

Applications Being Accepted - Blended e-Learning II: Youth Workforce Preparation

Interested in learning more about the Knowledge Economy and how you can integrate its key concepts into your existing programming?  Think the Knowledge Economy is only about economic development?  Would you like to gain first-hand experience with cutting edge program delivery tools like podcasts, blogs and other distance learning tools?
 
If you said yes to any of these questions, then you may wish to consider participating. Twenty Extension professionals will be selected this fall to participate in a program to gain knowledge and understanding about the Knowledge Economy.  Course content will be delivered using blended methods over a 7-week span starting October 16, 2007.
For more information or to apply:  http://knowecon.osu.edu/folder.2007-03-29.7401041019/learning-opportunities

Professional Development Pre-Conference Proposals Requested

Ohio State University Extension will be hosting a professional development pre-conference in conjunction with the 2007 Extension Annual Conference.  On Tuesday, December 11, Extension professionals will have the opportunity to share emerging and existing multi-programmatic efforts with their colleagues in a seminar format or round-table discussion to enhance professional development opportunities for those in attendance. Proposals supporting one or more of the seven organizational themes are strongly encouraged and due by Oct 1, to Kim Fiebig, at fiebig.6@osu.edu.  Proposal format is described in the attached.

Statewide Facilitation In-Service - February 6, 2008

Facilitation is a process that all Extension professionals need to be trained in to effectively process problem solving and group decisions.  What is facilitation? "A process in which a person is acceptable to all members of a group, substantively neutral, and has no decision-making authority and intervenes to help a group improve the way it identifies and solves problems and makes decisions  in order to increase the group's effectiveness."  R. Schwarz - The Skilled Facilitator.  A training on Facilitation will be held on February 6, 2008 will be presented by Rose Fisher Merkowitz and Treva Williams.  Be sure to hold the date!  A location has not been decided at this time.  More information will be coming later. 

This training will enhance your skills as a facilitator and give you materials to become an effective facilitator.

Award Opportunities:

America's Promise: 100 Best Award Strengthens Committees

Have you been looking for a new and effective way of addressing our Extension themes in an interdisciplinary way that:

1 - builds strong community partnerships,
2 - brings a new excitement to community development,
3 - enhances personal and Extension credibility,
4 - catches the eye of stakeholders and
5 - promotes cost recovery?

Mark Your Calendars:

8th Annual Ohio Farmland Preservation Summit Announced

Interested in helping to grow your local economy through food and agriculture?  Plan to attend the 8th Annual Ohio Farmland Preservation Summit from 8:30-3:30 on November 1st, 2007 at the Ohio Department of Agriculture in Reynoldsburg.  First Lady Frances Strickland will provide the keynote address.  The program is targeted to farmers, landowners, local officials, land trusts, citizens, and agency personnel who are interested in networking and discussing strategies for farmland preservation.
 
For additional information about the conference and instruction on how to register, go to http://cffpi.osu.edu/summit or contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Office of Farmland Preservation: 614-728-6210 or farmlandpres@agri.ohio.gov. 

Tri-State Study Tour 2007 Re-Scheduled for 2008

Due to scheduling conflicts, the 2007 tour planned for Sept 18-20, 2007 has been rescheduled for March 25-27, 2008.  The itinerary remains the same, only the dates have changed.  Look for registration information later, but in the meantime, please hold the dates!  For more information, contact Greg Davis (614-292-6356) or davis.1081@osu.edu

CD Program Retreat January 30-31, 2008

The University Plaza Hotel will be the site of a CD Program Retreat for all Extension professionals with CD program responsibilities.  The retreat will address:  program goals and metrics for impact measurement, opportunities for revenue generation, and stakeholder development in relation to the Extension strategic plan, North Central Region CRD multi-state logic models and key program priorities, and federal plan of work.  Look for more information soon.