OSU Extension in Urban Communities A Sampling from 2022

Ohio's Urban Extension

With 11.8 million residents, Ohio is the seventh most populous state in the nation. More than 50% of Ohio residents live in 10 of the 88 counties. Following is just a sampling of Extension programming in urban Ohio communities.

Warren and Butler County 4-H programs partnered with the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati to hold a joint teen cultural learning opportunity. Teens enjoyed Middle Eastern food, participated in team building and leadership activities, shared challenges about being a Muslim teen in today’s world, learned about the 4-H program, and had the opportunity to tour the mosque. This project is a way of getting 4-H members out of their comfort zone and out in the community. Group will continue to meet at different locations in the SW Ohio area throughout 2023. (Steve Brady.111)

OSU Extension staff and trained Master Gardener Volunteers for the 2023 Veggies and More Tour, Growing Local Foods: Urban Farms & Gardens Summer Tour Series in Mahoning County. Participants learned about growing practices, helpful tips, soils, organic production, and more. This Veggies and More Tour was at the GROW Urban Farm in Youngstown. (Eric Barrett.90)

Growing Teachers Throughout the Seasons. Carol Smathers (FCS) and Tim McDermott (ANR) are working with Columbus City Schools (Franklin County), to pilot a school-year growing curriculum involving three methods: indoor seed starting, raised beds, and aeroponics. Over 40 teachers who implement school gardens in this urban school district are providing feedback. (Smathers.14 and McDermott.15)

Adventure Central is a trusted, community-based, positive youth development partnership serving urban children and their parents in the West Dayton community (Montgomery County). This nationally recognized program has been providing children and families opportunities to change their lives through building positive well-being, higher academic performance, and less involvement in risky behaviors. (Nate Arnett.67)

Sharing education at the Cuyahoga County Fair with EFNEP and the Tech Bus. (cuyahoga.osu.edu)

Summit County EFNEP - Childcare Center, Dads Group, AMHA Apartments (summit.osu.edu)

Franklin County 4-H SPIN Clubs - Polar, Flower Arrangement (Hogan.239)

Mahoning County EFNEP - Classes at the Pregnancy Help Center, Virtual EFNEP in Spanish Pilot Program (mahoning.osu.edu)

Hamilton County - Working to make Northside Farmers Market a place for customers to find healthful and affordable food and for vendors to thrive. This project aims to increase food access through intensified outreach and marketing; Support new and existing farmers and food producers through incentives, training, and mentoring; and build NFMs capacity to sustain long-term growth. (hamilton.osu.edu)

Franklin County - Master Gardener Volunteers Tackle Urban Food Insecurity, Training Urban Farmers (franklin.osu.edu)

Lucas County - SNAP-Ed was awarded a PSE mini-grant to assist Brightside Academy in installing portable gardens at their three early childhood sites. (lucas.osu.edu)

Stark County EFNEP - Working in the community to meet families and youth where they live, work, and play. Teaching nutrition education and making a difference everyday. Alliance YMCA, Goodwill Campus, Food Council (stark.osu.edu)

Hamilton County EFNEP - Skillet lasagna activity, Snack mix for students, cooking and nutrition at Forest Park. (hamilton.osu.edu)

Addressing food insecurity in Ohio. Ohio State’s Office of Student Life led an effort of more than 600 volunteers to package 175,000 meals. The packaged meals were delivered to southeast Ohio via Ohio State’s football tractor trailer for distribution through OSU Extension and local community partners. The 175,000 meals were distributed to 35 agencies in Athens, Washington, Meigs, and Gallia counties.

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