Agricultural and Natural Resources

As an 1890 Land-Grant Institution, Central State University is focused on outreach and education for underserved and underrepresented populations in urban and rural areas. The Agriculture and Natural Resources Program 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 future generations.

Our Agriculture & Natural Resources Staff is available to assist with further information regarding Extension programming, resources and upcoming events. CSU Extension has agricultural and natural resources staff and programming throughout Ohio. Visit the links below for information, event postings and resources for agriculture and natural resources.

Urban and Small Farms Conference

Central State University Extension will host the Urban and Small Farms Conference on Friday, Jan. 24, and Saturday, Jan. 25, at the CSU campus in Wilberforce. The event will connect farmers with resources offered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), as well as state and local organizations. Attendees will also learn about agricultural research at CSU and its practical applications for their farms.

The conference is designed for underserved and underrepresented farmers in Ohio, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, as well as military veteran farmers. Registration is free thanks to a grant from the USDA’s 2501 Program.

Register to attend

Growing Small Farms Series - Events, Webinars, and Podcasts

Join us every Thursday from 7-8 p.m. for the Growing Small Farms Webinar Series. Each session is live and then recorded and released as a podcast. For recordings of previous webinars, click here.

Seed to Bloom Botanical and Community Garden

Located on Central State University’s campus in Wilberforce, Ohio, the Seed to Bloom Botanical and Community Garden provides a unique stage for horticultural education. Click here for information about the garden and upcoming events.

Building Small Farm Viability

Farmers enrolled in this project can be eligible for stipends to attend various training programs related to the project. Who can Participate?

  • African-Americans and socially disadvantaged individuals who have been farming for at least three years
  • Military veterans who have been farming for at least three years
  • Socially disadvantaged youth in Cincinnati and Toledo

Regional Agriculture and Natural Resources Programming

CSU Extension Staff are conducting programming throughout Ohio.

Visit Facebook pages for each region for more information about upcoming events:

John W. Garland College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture - Extension