The agriculture and natural resources area with CSU Extension develops, conducts, and promotes programs to create sustainable farms—farms that are good stewards of the environment, improve quality of life for the farmer and the community, and are profitable to enable the farm to be available for the next and multiple generations.
Program Details
Farmers, growers, producers, and those interested are invited to participate in CSU Extension programs in agriculture and natural resources. Programs will:
Focus on interactive learning with opportunities for hands-on experiences
Provide multiple sessions to learn the basics of a subject
Be available in-person, virtual, and through an online library
Provide networking for farmers to learn from each other
Beginning Farmers
These classes are designed to help people interested in farming learn about growing crops while also developing business skills. Classes are hands-on with interactive experiences. No farming experience needed. Areas of classes include:
Growing in high tunnels
Intensive vegetable production
Livestock and/or poultry
Hydroponics and/or using soilless media
Beekeeping
Seminars, webinars, and workshops are offered in beekeeping and are designed to help people interested in learning about taking care of bees in addition to classes for advanced beekeepers. Research in bee health and genetics is ongoing at CSU, and these workshops also provide current and new information about developing a strong bee population in Ohio.
Aquaponics
Growing fish and plants together in a controlled environment is aquaponics. CSU Extension has a demonstration greenhouse that features two systems for farmers to view. Field days are held during the year to help interested farmers learn about aquaponics.
Forestry
CSU Extension works with woodland owners to develop goals, implement best management practices, encourage sustainability and create opportunity. CSU Extension works with:
Ohio Interagency Forestry Team – providing outreach and programming for woodland management in the Appalachian region of Ohio, an area that represents the highest per-capita poverty rate in the state. The oak forests in this region provide economic incentives and CSU Extension works with the team to promote regeneration of oak and hickory to build sustainability in local economies.
Women Owning Woodlands – CSU Extension works with the Southeast Ohio Chapter to provide topical, accessible and current forestry and natural resource information to women landowners and forest practitioners.
Small Scale Farms
From raising livestock and poultry to growing fruits and vegetables, CSU Extension provides programming for farmers who are looking to maximize production on small acreage.
Organic Production
CSU Extension provides support for organic growers along with help transitioning farms from conventional to organic. Programs include workshops on utilizing organic production and how to incorporate IPM and other tools for growing.
Hemp and Natural Products
Research at Central State includes hemp and other natural products. CSU Extension organizes field days and workshops to provide growers with access to the most recent research on these crops and also provide information for growers entering these markets.
Soil Health
Soil is the base for any growing crop and CSU researchers in this area are exploring cover crops and biodiversity to keep farms sustainable through soil health. CSU Extension organizes field days and workshops to provide farmers with a road map for improving the health of their soil – whether in a rural or urban setting.
Extension
Botanical Garden
Agricultural and Natural Resources
Diversity
Event Listing
News
December 2022/January 2023
Winter 2022 (PDF)
November 2022
Videos
with Donna Kuykendall CSU (Youtube)
with Brooke Foster CSU (Youtube)
with Jewel Rollins CSU (Youtube)
Fact Sheets and Bulletins
PRiMR Disaster Management Education (PDF)
ANR-20-1 Hemp (PDF)
Stress Management (PDF)
Click Here for the Volunteer Service Agreement (PDF)