Recognizing excellence: Connecting resources for positive community change

How do we achieve excellence? We stop what we are doing, stand back, and assess efforts. At this point we are better able to recognize special accomplishments.

Raymond Schindler

Raymond A. Schindler

The Raymond A. Schindler Excellence in Community Development Extension Award is named in honor of Raymond A. Schindler, one of the first Extension CD professionals in Ohio. Hired in 1962 as an Area Extension Agent, Ray began his career in southern Ohio, based in Highland County. He took a collaborative approach to his work, focusing on tourism development, comprehensive planning, planning commissions, and business retention and expansion programs until his retirement in 1988.

Today, we recognize Extension CD professionals with The Raymond A. Schindler Excellence in Community Development Extension Award. The annual award seeks to recognize:

  • long term strengths in teaching and research
  • a long-standing record of teamwork and collaboration in program planning, implementation and evaluation
  • a successful track record in grant awards, cost recovery, or other external funding
Susan Colbert

Susan Colbert

Just last week (January 24), we recognized Susan Colbert with the Raymond A. Schindler Excellence in Community Development Extension Award for her ability to develop and deliver multidisciplinary, evidence-based programs in collaboration with colleagues, stakeholders, private industry and state and federal funding partners that empower others to affect positive change. Since joining Ohio State University Extension in 1998, she has truly demonstrated a record of excellence in creative and scholarly work, teaching and service to community and profession.

Click here to learn more about Susan and her work.


Greg Davis

Greg Davis, professor and assistant director, OSU Extension CD.


The content of this site is published by the site owner(s) and is not a statement of advice, opinion, or information pertaining to The Ohio State University. Neither text, nor links to other websites, is reviewed or endorsed by The Ohio State University.

Engaging Social Media Users through Videos

In our fast-paced social media driven world, pictures and videos help tell the stories that are taking place around us every day. There have been many studies done that have shown that time on digital media has replaced time once spent reading.

At the Delaware County Extension office, we realized short, exciting videos are one of the ways to reach followers, so we began making videos. What kind of videos, you might ask? Videos demonstrating different trials of our On-Farm Research throughout the state. These trials are also featured in the eFields report that was just released at the beginning of January.

People looking at a computer

Since videos are becoming more popular when it comes to telling a story, I want to offer some tips and suggestions when it comes to shooting videos that you are going to post on a social media outlet.

First, think about the story you want to tell. The best videos don’t just “happen.” It is important to have a plan before going out to shoot. For example, before heading to the farm to shoot, we sat down with the Extension educator to discuss the story we wanted to tell through the video. A couple important factors that go into this process are prompting your speakers-in our case they were the farmers-with the questions you want them to address. We also knew that we needed a lot of b-roll footage. Tip: You need way more b-roll footage than you ever thought possible. Have someone on your production team record footage the entire time you are there!

Next, you will want to consider how to make your video unique. You don’t want to create a video of a talking head. That is extremely boring, and your viewers will lose interest in record time. Think of fun, interactive, engaging things for the speaker to do while you film. For example, we chose a theme for each video we produced and then had the educator and farmer partake in said theme. The Western theme has been by far and away the most popular – saddle up, cowboy!

Cell phone videoThe most important tip: Always, always, always record footage and take photos horizontally if you are using a smart phone. You will understand why when you reach the point of actually producing your video.

One final thought I will leave with you: Check your acoustics before you record. Don’t record in a windy field, the inside of a combine cab while harvesting, or even while the neighbor is mowing the lawn. This will leave you frustrated when you get back to the office.

Enjoy this trailer of one of our popular On-Farm Research videos!


Kenzie JohnstonKenzie Johnston, OSU Extension educator, CD/ANR, Delaware County.


The content of this site is published by the site owner(s) and is not a statement of advice, opinion, or information pertaining to The Ohio State University. Neither text, nor links to other websites, is reviewed or endorsed by The Ohio State University.

Government shutdowns . . . What about them?

As of the writing of this blog post (1/14/19) we are 24 days into the partial shutdown of our federal government. This is the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The next closest was 21 days in 1995-1996 under President Bill Clinton. I found myself wondering why shutdowns happen, what circumstances lead to them, when have they happened, and how long have they lasted. And, what impact does this have on people, communities, and the economy?

Why do shutdowns happen?

US CapitolGovernmental shutdowns occur when disagreements over programs, policies, approaches, expenditures, etc. between the various elected bodies cannot be resolved. This “deadlock” can result in Congress failing to pass appropriation bills/continuing resolutions or the President refusing to sign such bills or resolutions. Since 1976 there have been 22 “gaps” in federal funding. Shutdowns can also occur at the state, territory, and local level, but this blog post will focus only on the federal government.

A key legislative trigger of government shutdowns is the Antideficiency Act (ADA). Originally legislated by Congress in 1884, the Act has been modified a number of times since. Generally, the ADA relates to Article One of the United States Constitution (the power of the purse) which provides that, “No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law.” In 1980 and 1981, the then Attorney General issued two opinions that were stricter interpretations of the ADA, setting the stage for government shutdowns when funds are not sufficient or available to continue government operations, for example, or an annual appropriation has not been approved. Appropriations are “…the provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes.”

Shutdowns can be partial, as is the case in this current situation. That means that some government departments/agencies are able to continue to operate because their budgets have been approved already and funds have been appropriated.

So, in short, failure to reach agreement on an issue, resulting in the inability to appropriate dollars and pass a temporary or annual budget, or the president’s unwillingness to sign a budget bill or veto what is presented to him, forces “non-essential” governmental agencies and employees to cease operations or “shut down.”

What are the impacts of a government shutdown?

Impacts on Government employees and agencies

Partial government shutdowns impact employees, contractors, agency operations, public services, and the overall economy. The ADA is targeted to federal employee/federal agency actions by prohibiting the authorization or making of expenditures, incurring of financial obligations, and accepting voluntary services before a funding appropriation has been made.

Potential violations of the ADA are investigated by the government (GAO and Inspector General), and the act has consequences for both agencies and individuals who violate it. Although no one has been indicted or convicted in the Act’s 120-year history, changes in agreements and punitive administrative actions against employees have been routinely made.

In 10 of the 22 shutdowns, including this current one, government employees have been furloughed. As of last Friday, there will be no paychecks for approximately 800,000 government employees. Of that number, 380,000 employees who perform emergency work involving the health or safety of human life or protection of property – essential services and public safety fields – are still required to work but will not receive pay. This includes law enforcement, Coast Guard, corrections officers, customs/border protection, forest service firefighters, National Weather Service employees, and TSA. Receiving back pay is not automatic – Congress needs to pass authorizing legislation. Last Thursday Congress voted to approve back pay for furloughed and unpaid government workers. The President indicated that he would sign the bill. (Source: https://www.govexec.com/management/2019/01/senate-unanimously-passes-legislation-providing-back-pay-furloughed-feds/154090/)

Government Departments and Agencies Affected

Nine of fifteen cabinet–level departments and many agencies have been impacted by the current partial shutdown. Those agencies that had already received their appropriations, and are therefore unaffected, include the Defense Department and Department of Health and Human Services. Department/agencies impacted by the shutdown include Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, National Park Service, Homeland Security, IRS, and others.

Impact on Ohio

The impact of the shutdown is being felt by states across the U.S. to greater or lesser degrees. The number of governmental employees furloughed in impacted federal agencies (National Park Service, for example) is often a determining factor. In Ohio, the offices and visitors center of National Historic sites such as William Howard Taft and the interpretive center of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park are closed. In Cincinnati, EPA workers have been furloughed. Home buyers seeking government loans are facing delays. In rural areas, Department of Agriculture loans are not being issued. The Federal District Court and Court of Appeals in Ohio are not operating. While the grounds of National Park sites may be open, there are no government workers to pick up trash, conduct maintenance, or clean bathrooms. Some park sites that are operated by private groups remain open. It is advisable to contact each site before visiting. (Source: http://radio.wosu.org/post/how-federal-government-shutdown-affecting-ohio#stream/0)

History of Government Shutdowns since 1980

Since 1980 there have been 10 government shutdowns that have resulted in employee furloughs and disruptions in government services. They have ranged in length from less than one day (1984 & 1986) to our current shutdown of 24 days. 

Government shutdowns since 1980

Final Thoughts

There have been many instances of government shutdowns over our recent history. They usually arise over disagreements in priorities and budget allocations among Republicans and Democrats and between the President and Congress (or some combination thereof). Gaps in funding occur when disagreements are not resolved before the end of an existing budget cycle. The 1980 shutdown, occurring just days after the Attorney General’s opinion regarding the ADA, was the first time a government agency stopped operations as the result of a funding gap. Since then, there have been nine more that have resulted in funding gaps forcing government employee furloughs and department/agency curtailment of operations. These events have an impact either directly or indirectly on individuals and communities throughout the U.S.

Shutdowns are unique to the U.S. form of government. Most European nations operate under a Parliamentary system in which the executive needs the continued approval of the legislature to continue in power. The failure of budget passage is attributed to the executive and usually triggers an election. In other types of presidential systems, the executive branch of the government has the power to keep the government operating even without a budget.

The ultimate length of this shutdown and the resulting impact remains to be seen. What will be especially interesting is the method by which it is resolved and the structure and conditions reached in what becomes the final compromise.

The following web sites provide further information on the 2018-2019 and other government shutdowns:

http://radio.wosu.org/post/how-federal-government-shutdown-affecting-ohio#stream/0

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/1/11/18177101/government-shutdown-longest-workers-agencies-charts

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_federal_government_shutdown_of_2018%E2%80%932019

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2013/09/25/here-is-every-previous-government-shutdown-why-they-happened-and-how-they-ended/?utm_term=.2623124a5119

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divided_government_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_shutdowns_in_the_United_States#1980

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_shutdowns_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antideficiency_Act

https://www.senate.gov/reference/glossary_term/appropriation.htm

https://www.gao.gov/legal/appropriations-law-decisions/resources


Myra MossMyra Moss, associate professor and Extension educator, OSU Extension – Community Development


The content of this site is published by the site owner(s) and is not a statement of advice, opinion, or information pertaining to The Ohio State University. Neither text, nor links to other websites, is reviewed or endorsed by The Ohio State University.

Keeping Unity in the Community

Do you know that it is generally recommended that housing expenses shouldn’t be more than 30% of what you earn, leaving 70% of your income for food, clothing, and other necessities?

According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, approximately 12 million renters and homeowners are spending more than 50% of their income on housing, including utilities, thereby making it difficult for families to afford other necessities, i.e. transportation, clothes, food, entertainment, medical care, etc. Towards this end, in many American cities middle and upper income people are moving into neighborhoods that had previously suffered disinvestment and decay. These severely “house cost burdened” families want and/or need to move into sustainable neighborhoods accessible to more transportation options, affordable housing, jobs, businesses, services, and social activities.

These new residents renovate housing, stimulate business, and contribute to the tax base. Additionally, you have investors, who are purchasing these properties from low income families and stripping them of their equity, legacy, and property, which they worked hard to obtain and maintain for their children and grandchildren. These benefits of neighborhood revitalization are, in some cases, achieved at a potentially serious cost: the displacement of existing neighborhood residents by eviction, excessive code violations, increased property values/taxes, rent increases, changing demographics, etc.

Unfortunately, this may contribute to divisiveness, animosity, or ill feelings between longtime and new neighbors. This is quite unfortunate because what makes these central city neighborhoods and  residents so special is their “sense of community” which has helped residents survive and thrive throughout the years!

There are strategies that can and/or should be implemented to safeguard longtime renters and homeowners, thereby bringing peace and unity in the community. Some strategies should include the examination of federal, state, and local policies toward neighborhood reinvestment and displacement, including various alternative approaches for dealing with this issue.

I applaud the City of Columbus and Franklin County Board of Commissioners for taking the initiative to be proactive in bringing unity in the community by preserving some stability in up-and-coming neighborhoods by:

  • Establishing a Community Land Trust, which will contribute to the preservation of mixed income neighborhoods.
  • Working with Developers to make sure a percentage of their housing development and employment opportunities are set aside for residents of various socio-economic strata!
  • Offering the Homestead Tax Exemptions for low income senior citizens or disabled, who own and occupy their properties.

An example of another innovative strategy implemented in other major cities includes:

  • Longtime Owner Occupancy Program (LOOP) – reducing or freezing property taxes to promote neighborhood stability and provide a dividend of sorts to those families who remained in the neighborhoods through the years of high crime, population loss, disinvestment, and declining property values (Washington, Boston, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia).

Lastly, on a neighborhood level, there are strategies residents themselves are implementing to make a difference, including but not limited to the following:

For example, some of the activities Weinland Park residents have been involved in:

  • Community Connectors – resident leaders, who advocate; market programs; organize events and bring diverse residents together, i.e. Rally in the Alley
  • Community Clean-Ups – neighborhood focused beautification and clean-up efforts
  • Community Civic Association – a group of residents and stakeholders who meet monthly and make decisions about the community, i.e. housing, safety, youth, etc.
  • Community Zumba – a Latin inspired dance fitness class offered weekly for area residents, thereby affording children, youth, and adults of diverse backgrounds an opportunity to get acquainted and have fun with one another
  • Community Gardens – residents, who use gardening as an opportunity to interact and get acquainted with other children, youth, and adults in the neighborhood

Weinland Park

Planting tree

To learn more about OSU Extension – Community Development and what they’re doing to bring unity in your community, county, or throughout the State of Ohio, feel free to visit our website.


Susan Colbert Susan Colbert is the Franklin County Extension Program Director for Expansion and Engagement.


The content of this site is published by the site owner(s) and is not a statement of advice, opinion, or information pertaining to The Ohio State University. Neither text, nor links to other websites, is reviewed or endorsed by The Ohio State University.

Partnering for Environmental Protection

The Ohio Clean Marinas Program is a partnership initiative between Ohio Sea Grant and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) through their Division of Parks and Watercraft and the Office of Coastal Management. The program supports marinas across Ohio by providing education and technical assistance on environmental topics and promoting a voluntary, incentive-based certification program to recognize those marinas that go above and beyond environmental regulations.

Boat Bottom Power Washing

Regulatory changes are affecting a common practice in the marina industry – boat bottom power washing.

In 2018, a change in stormwater and wastewater regulations for the marina industry created a demand from marina businesses for guidance and clarification on these topics. In response to this need, the Ohio Clean Marinas Program collaborated with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and administer a series of educational workshops across Ohio to provide guidance to marina owners on how to comply with the new regulatory changes. The “Stormwater and Wastewater Workshops for Marinas” project was funded through an Ohio EPA Environmental Education Fund grant, with financial and in-kind match provided by ODNR and Ohio Sea Grant. The workshops provided education on best practices that would help marinas advance action on non-point source pollution at their facilities.

Over 60 marina owners, natural resource managers, and other interested parties participated in the workshops, with 58 percent of workshop attendees noting that they learned new information from the Ohio Clean Marinas Program on stormwater, wastewater management, and coastal resiliency that they can use, and 42 percent of workshop attendees committing to take the information provided by Ohio EPA during the workshop to inform future decision making. In preparation for the workshops, Ohio EPA developed a fact sheet in partnership with Ohio Clean Marinas Program staff to help marina owners understand the new regulatory changes, as well as offer options and guidance for compliance.

Sotrmwater & wastewater workshops

In response for a need for guidance on stormwater and wastewater changes, the Ohio Clean Marinas Program hosted a series of in-person workshops featuring lecture and field portions with experts presenting on these topics.

Since its inception in 2003, the Ohio Clean Marianas Program has worked with state, federal, and local agencies, marina owners, and marina trades industry associations to achieve a balance between environmental sustainability and economic stability for the marina industry in Ohio. There are currently 79 certified Clean Marinas, and a recently launched tiered certification program enables marinas to demonstrate further environmental stewardship by achieving a gold or platinum status. A complete list of Ohio Clean Marinas can be found here.

Program staff also run an annual Ohio Marina Conference to provide technical assistance and professional development on current topics of interest to marinas. The 2019 conference will be held February 20 at the Catawba Island Club. Contact ohiocleanmarinas@osu.edu to register.


References:

Stormwater and Wastewater Workshops for Ohio Marinas: https://ohioseagrant.osu.edu/news/calendar/2018/09/12/1eyk4/marina-stormwater-workshops

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. Marina Wash Water Fact Sheet: https://www.epa.ohio.gov/Portals/35/permits/Marina-Wash-Water-2018.pdf

Great Lakes Clean Marinas Map: http://go.osu.edu/GLCleanMarinasMap


The above mentioned workshop was funded by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s Ohio Environmental Education Fund and its mission to enhance Ohio citizens’ awareness and understanding of environmental issues.

Sarah OrlandoSarah Orlando, Ohio Clean Marinas Program Manager, Ohio Sea Grant College Program, 419-609-4120, orlando.42@osu.edu, @SarahAOrlando.


The content of this site is published by the site owner(s) and is not a statement of advice, opinion, or information pertaining to The Ohio State University. Neither text, nor links to other websites, is reviewed or endorsed by The Ohio State University.