Virtual Programming with OSU Extension, Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Area

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Some information included in this BYGL Alert was taken from a CFAES News Release, Agriculture & Natural Resources Madness - Tournament of Education posted on April 2, 2020.

 

Did your usual conference or class get canceled? Are you looking to fill the void during this time of social distancing and the stay-at-home order? Ohio State University Extension is here to help with a new virtual education program for the agricultural community - including programming in agriculture, natural resources and horticulture.

 

“Agriculture and Natural Resources Madness: A Tournament of Education” will include 64 educational events broken into daily brackets. Each day, a virtual educational session will be held at 9 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m. The educational tournament is free of charge and will likely continue until mid-May.

 

“This effort is a direct response to providing a variety of useful and timely sessions for farmers and families across the state during Gov. DeWine’s stay-at-home order,” said Jacqueline Wilkins, interim director of OSU Extension. “While our ‘tournament’ is being loosely tied to March Madness, it’s not a competition, and people can join in at any time for as many or as few sessions as they desire.” 

 

The tournament opened on Wednesday, March 25, with some more traditional topics in the field of agriculture. All the sessions have been, or will be recorded, just in case the live timing doesn't work for our viewers. Tuesday's in April have been "tagged" horticulture days, with sessions at 9:00 am, 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Here is the tommorrow's schedule:

 

Tuesday, April 7th

  • 9:00 am - Invasive Species Update, Amy Stone, OSU Extension, Lucas County
  • 12:00 pm - The Basics of Soil Testing and Plant Nutrition for the Public, Ann Chanon, OSU Extension, Lorian County
  • 3:00 pm - BYGLive! - Ornamental Horticulture Updates, Carri Jagger, OSU Extension, Morrow County and Amy Stone, OSU Extension, Lucas County

 

Gypsy Moth Adults
Gypsy Moth Adults and Egg Mass, Photo Credit: Amy Stone

 

 

Other upcoming topics this month include: Quick and Dirty Ohio Tree ID, Asian Longhorned Beetle Update, Awesome Annuals, Pesticide Safety, Gardening for Pollinators, Landscape Insects - Bagworms vs the Tent Builders, and a weekly BYGLive! Ornamental Horticulture Updates! 

 

To find complete details on the tournament’s educational opportunities and other event and webinar links, visit go.osu.edu/agmadness

 

The daily topics will vary and were schedule to meet a wide range of interests within our diverse agriculture industry and are geared for producers, green industry professionals, woodland owners, gardeners and the public.. Topics will cover a variety of subjects and be presented in a variety of virtual platforms. When possible, question-and-answer opportunities will be included. Sessions are open to anyone - just look over the topics, and choose those of interest to you.

 

Agriculture and Natural Resources Madness is just one example of how OSU Extension is employing its online resources during this challenging time to remain engaged with Ohioans. “The intent is to reach the agricultural community in a time of high stress,” Custer said. “OSU Extension has also updated its Ag Crisis website to include a toolbox of resources related to COVID-19. Those can be reached at go.osu.edu/AgCrisis.”

 

OSU Extension has implemented a teleworking plan, and all OSU Extension offices statewide are closed until further notice. The plan mirrors The Ohio State University’s decision to require all employees who can do so to work from home and to maintain only critical services on university property across all campuses.

 

Clients, stakeholders, and other community members can continue to connect with any OSU Extension staff member via phone or email as usual. To contact your local Extension office, visit  for office phone numbers and a direct link to each office’s website and staff directory. If you reach voicemail, please leave a message with your name and contact information, and you will be contacted as soon as possible.