The Obama Administration yesterday directed the federal government to increase its purchases of biobased products. Dennis Hall of the Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center, a part of our college, says new Ohio jobs should result. He’s available to talk to reporters. Also: Here’s Hall speaking on USDA’s BioPreferred program (video, 1:50) last summer. Yesterday’s directive is an expansion of that program.
Month: February 2012
Sustainable housing, energy savings: What can we learn from this place?
Ohio State’s Mark Walter speaks this Thursday (Feb. 23) on the university’s enCORE solar home (video 3:29), which placed fifth out of 20 international teams in last year’s U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. (Photo: Jim Tetro/DOE/Solar Decathlon.)
Climate change and hybrid butterflies?
Michigan State’s Mark Scriber presents “Impacts of Climate Warming on Hybrid Zone Dynamics” this Monday (Feb. 20) in a seminar sponsored by our Department of Entomology. Scriber is a world authority on swallowtail butterflies with a focus in these two areas: hybridization and speciation at the limits of species distributions; and how climate change is affecting those dynamics.
Details: 10-11 a.m., 206 Thorne Hall, OARDC, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, with a video link to 460 Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Road, on our Columbus campus. Free. All are welcome.
Sources of inspiration … and more
How can farmers make the most of manure? Two coming workshops, one in western Ohio (pdf), one in northern (pdf), will show how to do just that. Focus: New uses, methods, and technologies. And: Protecting the environment. OARDC and OSU Extension are two of the sponsors.
Here’s what E-C-O can spell
OSU Extension’s Jim Hoorman talks about a new system called ECO Farming, which stands for eternal no-till, continuous living cover, and other best management practices. It’s seeing wider use today through his and others’ efforts. (Cover crops, such as the red clover pictured here, are a part of it.) Benefits include richer soil, lower fertilizer costs, and less and cleaner runoff into nearby lakes and streams.
Ice cores and ‘the human fingerprint’
Just announced: Paolo Gabrielli, research scientist with Ohio State’s Byrd Polar Research Center, will give the keynote speech at this year’s Wooster Campus Scarlet, Gray, and Green Fair. His topic: “Ice Cores: Tracing the Human Fingerprint.” The fair, a celebration of all things sustainable, is April 17 at OARDC. He’ll headline the opening ceremony.
Going to Europe? US organics may be
Brian McSpadden Gardener, head of our nationally known Organic Food and Farming Education and Research Program, comments on the new U.S/Europe organic products agreement and what it may mean to farmers. He’s available to talk to reporters about it. Details: USDA’s press release and OFFER’s website.
New sustainable ag major here
Ohio State’s Agricultural Technical Institute now offers a two-year Associate of Science degree in sustainable agriculture. Students gain “skills and knowledge … for the important role of providing healthy food to the community while protecting natural resources for future generations,” says the program’s website. In the process, they can complete about half the requirements for a bachelor’s degree in our college, if this is a step they’re considering too. ATI is a part of our college.
The business case for sustainability?
Neil Drobny (video, 7:01) of Ohio State’s Fisher College of Business presents “The Business Case for Sustainability: Moving Beyond the Hype” next week (2/16). He’s a lecturer in that college and a sustainable business services consultant. All are welcome. It’s part of the School of Environment and Natural Resources’ winter seminar series.
Exhibitor deadline looming for Scarlet, Gray, Green Fair
Want to exhibit at this year’s Wooster Campus Scarlet, Gray, and Green Fair? To teach something, sell something, or both? The signup deadline is Feb. 24. Click here then scroll down for an invitation, registration form, and payment options. Last year drew some 70 exhibitors and 2,000 people. The fair itself is April 17. Our college is a sponsor.