OSU Extension

ODA Asks Ohioans to Send in Unsolicited Seeds

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The Public Should Report the Seeds and Submit the Packages to USDA

After increasing reports of Ohio citizens receiving packages of unsolicited seeds in the mail, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is again urging the public to report and submit any unsolicited seed packets to ODA. In partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine Office, ODA is working to investigate the number of seed packets sent to Ohio, what type of seeds they are, and where they were mailed from.

The USDA-APHIS and ODA are asking Ohioans who have received these unsolicited packages not to open, plant, or throw them away. Instead, citizens should report receiving seeds here and then submit the packages to USDA using one of the following methods:

1. If possible, place the materials including the seeds, original packaging material and your contact information in a resealable plastic bag and mail them to USDA-APHIS at the following address:

Attn: USDA -SITC
8995 East Main Street, Building 23
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

-or-

2. Place the materials including the seeds, original packaging material and your contact information in a resealable plastic bag and drop them off at your county’s OSU Extension Office during business hours. You can find the nearest extension office here: https://extension.osu.edu/lao. Please note that extension facilities may have COVID-19 specific signage detailing procedures such as wearing a facial covering that must be followed.

Unsolicited seeds could be invasive species, contain noxious weeds, could introduce diseases to local plants, or could be harmful to livestock. Invasive species and noxious weeds can displace native plants and increase costs of food production. All foreign seeds shipped to the United States should have a phytosanitary certificate which guarantees the seeds meet important requirements.

We will have the latest information regarding this investigation on our website.

2020 Farm Science Review Will Be Virtual

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For the first time in its nearly 60-year history, The Ohio State University’s Farm Science Review, scheduled for Sept. 22 to Sept. 24, will not be held in-person. Instead, a virtual show will be implemented for 2020.

The farm show, sponsored by Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), annually attracts over 100,000 visitors from all over the United States and Canada to the show site in London, Ohio.

“We are committed to delivering a robust and innovative virtual show in support of agriculture during this pandemic,” said Cathann A. Kress, vice president and dean of CFAES.

“Throughout its history, the Farm Science Review has been at the forefront of showcasing the future of agriculture,” she said. “While it may look different in 2020, we will continue to meet the needs of our growers and partners through access to exhibitors, virtual demonstrations, and education about the most recent advancements in agricultural production.”

The three-day event normally allows agricultural producers to peruse 4,000 product lines from 600 commercial exhibitors, view field demonstrations, and learn the latest in agricultural production. Popular educational programs feature specialists from The Ohio State University, Central State University, and other land-grant institutions.

“Due to the rapidly changing conditions in the spread of COVID-19 across the U.S., the decision was made to hold a virtual show,” said Nick Zachrich, Farm Science Review manager. “We have
worked diligently to plan for another incredible show demonstrating the newest developments in equipment, research, and application to support agricultural production.”

Current conditions are not conducive to hosting an in-person event. “With our multi-generational audience, we determined a need to prioritize everyone’s health and ensure that we are doing our part to contain the spread of the virus during this global pandemic,” he said.

While extremely disappointing for everyone involved, Zachrich said that Farm Science Review management and its executive committee believe this is the right decision to keep visitors, exhibitors, partners, and staff safe.

In addition, the State of Ohio Responsible Restart guidelines currently limit mass gatherings. There is little reason to anticipate changes in the next two months that would provide for the ability to meet Farm Science Review’s daily in-person attendance of between 35,000 to 50,000 visitors.

“We understood early on that regardless of the number of cases, the show would have to take a drastically different approach in order to meet the health and safety requirements for COVID19, such as physical distancing and sanitization,” Zachrich said. “While we would have liked to wait until closer to the event to make a decision, we felt compelled to let suppliers, exhibitors, and partners know so they can begin to plan for a virtual show.”

More information will be shared in the forthcoming weeks about the 2020 virtual Farm Science Review program and how to engage. Visit fsr.osu.edu for ongoing updates.
All media inquiries should be directed to Sherrie Whaley, CFAES media relations coordinator, whaley.3@osu.edu, 614-292-2137.

Writer:
Sherrie R. Whaley
whaley.3@osu.edu
614-292-2137 / 614-582-6111

Source:
Nick Zachrich
zachrich.13@osu.edu

Partial Reopening of Licking County OSU Extension Office

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The Licking County office of OSU Extension will be reopening on Monday, July 13, 2020 with limited hours by appointment only.

The hours will be as follows: Monday and Thursday from 8:30am – 4:30pm.

Appointments can be scheduled by calling the office at 740-670-5315 or emailing Lisa McCutcheon, mccutcheon.46osu.edu, and/or Adrienne Anderson, anderson.1410@osu.edu, for 4-H Youth Development; Dean Kreager, kreager.5@osu.edu, for Agriculture and Natural Resources; Shari Gallup, gallup.1@osu.edu, for Family and Consumer Sciences; Lori Swihart, swihart.33@osu.edu, for Master Gardener Volunteers; Michelle Duffy, duffy.383@osu.edu, for SNAP Ed, and Lisa House, house.238@osu.edu, for all other appointments.

When Extension employees are not in the county office, they will continue to telework. We are following strict guidelines to remain safe, and to keep our clientele safe as well. All service sector requirements for general office environments from the Ohio Department of Health will be strictly adhered to in each office.

While our office will be open during the times listed above, we still encourage you to only visit the office if your need cannot be handled via phone, email or Zoom. If you must come into the office, we ask that you please adhere to the following guidelines:

  • If you or anyone in your family has been ill or has shown symptoms or if you have been in contact with someone who has been ill, please DO NOT come into the office. We will be happy to reschedule your appointment for a later date or set up a time to call or Zoom with you or make other arrangements to meet your needs.
  • If you need to meet with us in person, you must schedule an appointment. While we will be open two days a week, we will have limited staff in the office during that time so Lisa and I will not be in the office during all open hours. Please schedule with us so that we know we will be available to you when you arrive.
  • If meeting with us or anyone in the office, you MUST wear a mask. This is Ohio State University policy and we will follow it. If you are unable to wear a mask, we would be happy to schedule a time to chat with you via phone or Zoom.
  • Please come by yourself if possible or with as few family members as possible. We ask that only one person/family be at the counter at one time. If you see someone is already at the counter, please wait on the marked spots in the hallway until that person/group has left and then you may come up to the counter.
  • Please wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before entering the office.
  • If you need to pick up an item or purchase books, please call the office to request the items/books ahead of time so that we can have everything ready for when you arrive. This will help reduce your wait time in the office.  If you are purchasing items, exact change or a check is preferred. We can give you your total cost for your purchase when you call in your order.