Central state university (CSU) extension focuses on programming for the citizens of ohio in the four program areas of extension: 4-H youth development, agriculture and natural resources (ANR),…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Central State University $10,120,568 on October 1, 2025, under the Extension Services at 1890 Colleges and Tuskegee University, West Virginia State College, and Central State University program (CFDA 10.512), a formula grant supporting agricultural and forestry extension activities at 1890 Land-Grant Universities.

CSU Extension delivers programming across four areas: 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR), Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS), and Community and Economic Development (CED). The 4-H program comprises two components—Developing and Nurturing Youth for the 21st Century and Evolving Individuals to Impact Youth—targeting youth and families in inner-cities, rural communities, foster care, the juvenile justice system, and low-income households. Youth outcomes focus on life skills in decision-making, communication, leadership, critical thinking, self-confidence, and self-esteem. The adult leadership component develops capabilities to support children's learning.

The ANR program addresses three areas: Promoting Sustainability for Limited Resource and Small-Scale Farms empowers beginning, small-scale, and urban farmers to access knowledge, land, and capital, with expected outcomes of increasing farmers planning to start small farms. Adopting Smart Technologies for Small-Scale and Urban Farms increases technology adoption among limited-resource farmers. Promoting Sustainable Woodlands and Agroforestry Endeavors enables woodland owners and urban farmers to incorporate sustainable forest management and agroforestry alternatives.

The award runs through September 30, 2030, with place of performance at Wilberforce, Ohio.

Central state university (CSU) extension focuses on programming for the citizens of ohio in the four program areas of extension: 4-H youth development, agriculture and natural resources (ANR), family and consumer sciences (FCS), and community and economic development (CED). The 4-H program has two programs: developing and nurturing youth for the 21ST century and evolving individuals to impact youth. The first program focuses on providing youth with the tools needed to lead healthy, satisfying, and productive lives where they contribute to their community as youth and later as adults. The outcomes are for youth to develop life skills for decision-making, communication, leadership, critical thinking, self confidence, and enhanced self-esteem. Evolving individuals to impact youth develops leadership in adults by involving them in children's learning. These two programs target youth and families, including those in inner-cities and rural communities, youth in foster care and the juvenile justice system, and youth from low-income families. The ANR program has three programs. ' promoting sustainability for limited resource and small-scale farms' empowers beginning, small-scale and urban farmers to gain access to knowledge, land, and capital. The target audience for the beginning farmer training is limited-resource farmers in ohio, with the expected outcome of increasing the number of farmers planning to start small farms. Adopting smart technologies for small-scale and urban farms focuses on increasing the adoption of new technologies, especially among limited-resource farmers. The outcome is for farmers to gain knowledge and confidence in their ability to successfully incorporate smart TE chnologies into their farming operation. Promoting sustainable woodlands and agroforestry endeavors enables woodland owners and urban farmers to incorporate sustainable forest management and identify agroforestry alternatives. The target audience is family woodland owners as well as urban and rural farmers along with a focus on high-poverty populations in appalachian ohio. The CED program has two programs. Developing better socio-economic and sustainable communities assists in building resilient communities through coordination and collaboration with stakeholders to strengthen the skillset of potential and current small business owners, including agribusinesses. Empowering individuals for socio-economic advancement aims to improve the overall conditions facing individuals and families by providing opportunities for better financial literacy, including home ownership, and better employability through workforce development and certifications. The target audiences for both programs are high-poverty and limited-resource populations in rural and urban areas in ohio. FCS has two programs. Empowering individuals and families to be healthy and resilient focuses the necessary knowledge, skills, and confidence to decrease risks for chronic diseases. The outcomes are increased physical activity, higher self efficacy for healthy diet, increased awareness of the steps required to improve mental health, and gaining knowledge about personal risk. Navigating life's journey and family dynamics focuses on adulting for youth, financial education, and recreation, with outcomes to strengthen decision-making skills, financial management, self-awareness, building relationships, critical thinking skills, and conflict resolution. The target audience for both programs is youth, individuals and families in high-poverty and limited-resource populations in urban and rural areas.