Outreach Focus

Outreach is important to the Department of Animal Sciences to communicate research outcomes to the people and industries who can use the information to enhance their businesses and hobbies and to the people who decide public policies so they can have information on which they can make informed decisions. The department has a number of faculty with Extension appointments who work closely with stakeholders across Ohio. This is a component of all research emphases to disseminate the results of important investigations relevant to various stakeholders. Outreach endeavors also bring back to the department needs and concerns of stakeholders as well as policy decisions of impact on animals and on food and animal products. The Department also encourages community involvement, offering various tours, events, and teaching opportunities to people of all ages.

One of the areas in which outreach will have a significant role in the department’s strategic plan is in addressing societal concerns about how animals are being managed to produce the products that are constituents in human diets or how animals are used for companion and recreational purposes. For example, outreach endeavors can focus on development of animal welfare management modules. These and other activities can help ensure healthy discussions about data and practices related to complicated and often nuanced subjects needing clarification, research, and education.