Register for Land-Grant Open House & Research Day, youth symposium
You’re invited to Central State University’s 2025 Land-Grant Open House and Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activities Day and first Urban Farmer Youth Symposium and 4-H Youth Day as we celebrate the 135th Anniversary of the 1890 Morrill Act!
When: Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26
Where: Central State University, 1400 Brush Row Road, Wilberforce, Ohio 45384
This exciting two-day event will showcase groundbreaking research, hands-on extension demonstrations, student presentations, and interactive activities. Engage with our faculty, students, and community partners as we highlight Central State’s commitment to innovation in agriculture, research, and education.
See the complete schedule of events below.
Come see firsthand how Central State’s Land-Grant programs are making an impact! RSVP by April 14 for a complimentary lunch and learn more here.
We look forward to welcoming you to our campus!
The public is invited and registration is free.
Highlights
April 25 | Land-Grant Open House & Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activities Day
🔬 Student and faculty research presentations and awards
Explore cutting-edge discoveries through poster and oral presentations with an inspiring keynote speaker and student awards.
✨ Interactive extension activities and demonstrations
Engage with Central State University Extension professionals about healthy living, starting a business, urban and small-scale farming, robotics, 4-H STEM opportunities, and more!
🎉 Celebration and free lunch (with pre-registration)
Network with scholars and industry leaders.
🌳 Interactive programs and tree-planting ceremony
Be part of a heartfelt ceremony in the Seed-to-Bloom Botanical and Community Garden as we honor Arbor Day and pay tribute to the legacy of our beloved 350-year-old Chinquapin oak, which fell during Hurricane Helene’s aftermath. Learn more
April 26 | Urban Farmer Youth Symposium and 4-H Youth Day
🎤 Presentations by youth participating in the Urban Farm Youth Initiative
🏙️ Displays featuring youth urban farms
🍀 4-H educational activities
Fun and interactive learning for youth.
For more information, contact Land-Grant Communications at landgrantcommunications@centralstate.edu.
Schedule
Friday, April 25
8:30-9 a.m. | Registration for students and faculty with poster presentations in Madison W. Beacom/Gaston F. Lewis Gymnasium
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Parking lot shuttles from the Norman E. Ward Sr. Center parking lot to the parking lot by Beacom Gymnasium
- Extension demonstrations (in main tent unless otherwise noted):
- Family and Consumer Sciences nutrition and cooking demonstration in the Extension Mobile Kitchen and health screenings in the Health Education Mobile Unit
- Agriculture and Natural Resources demo
- Community Economic Development demo
- 4-H camps and robotics demos
- Research displays
9-11:30 a.m. | Attendee registration, check-in, and schedule pickup in Ward parking lot
9-11:15 a.m. | Student poster presentations in Beacom Gymnasium
11:15 a.m.-12 p.m. | Student oral presentations in College of Business Smith Hall
Lunch activities
12-1:45 p.m. | Lunch in main tent
12:30 p.m. | Welcome, followed by two speeches, a keynote, presentation of student awards, and directions for the afternoon
Afternoon campus activities
1-3 p.m. | Extension demonstration in Seed-to-Bloom Botanical and Community Garden
1:45-3 p.m. | Van shuttles from main tent to Ward parking lot and the Botanical Garden
2-2:30 p.m. | Tree-planting ceremony in the Botanical Garden
Saturday, April 26
10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Parking lot van shuttles from Ward parking lot to Joshua I. Smith Center for Education & Natural Resources lawn. All activities will take place on the lawn.
10-11 a.m. | Registration and attendee check-in
11 a.m.- 12 p.m. | Urban Farmer Youth Initiative Presentations by youth participants
12-12:30 p.m. | Lunch
12:30-1:30 p.m. | Careers in Agriculture
1:30-2 p.m. | Awards ceremony
1-3 p.m. | Farmers’ Market
