David Marrison named field specialist for OSU Extension
COLUMBUS − David Marrison of the Ohio State University Extension Office of Coshocton County is one of three new field specialists, farm management for extension in the OSU College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
The other two are Bruce Clevenger, an extension educator in Defiance County, and Eric Richer, an extension educator in Fulton County.
All will begin their new roles Nov. 1, said Jacqueline Kirby Wilkins, associate dean and director for OSU Extension.
“Farm management is an extremely important topic in the agriculture industry and OSU Extension has determined the best way to address this top priority is to install several professionals to coordinate their efforts across the state,” Wilkins said. “Bruce, David and Eric are experts in this field and each also has a specialized area of interest that will contribute to the industry as a whole and really help meet the needs of our clientele.”
The new field specialists will also be key players in helping to implement the inaugural work of the college’s new Farm Financial Management Policy Institute, said Sam Custer, interim assistant director for Agriculture and Natural Resources of OSU Extension. The institute is a joint effort of the CFAES departments of Extension and Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics. Its main mission will be to find solutions to the most critical farm management and agricultural policy issues facing Ohio producers. More information about the Institute’s leadership and work will be available in the near future.
“I am excited that these positions will be able to work in tandem with each other and with our other field specialists,” said Custer. “Each of their experience in the industry and as county educators gives them firsthand knowledge about the challenges of managing a farm business and the scope of the industry throughout the state.”
Marrison has been an OSU Extension educator in agriculture and natural resources since 1997. He has served in Coshocton County since 2018 and was in Ashtabula County prior to that. It’s expected the search for a new agriculture and natural resources educator for Coshocton County will start in November.
Marrison said his goal is to help Ohio farmers improve profitability and management regardless of farm size, location or commodities raised and produced.
“I am excited to be transitioning into this role and help all Ohio farm families and agribusinesses to enhance their management, productivity and profitability,” he said. “This industry is multi-faceted and I’m glad to be able to use my specialization in farm succession planning and tax management to enhance the efforts of our team across the state.”
Marrison joins other OSU Extension field specialists, who each have a particular subject matter focus and provide overall leadership for a comprehensive teaching and applied research program to address statewide issues. Field specialists work to expand existing partnerships, develop new relationships and foster collaborations across the state, including with university researchers, to complement local extension educators’ efforts.
Other topics addressed by extension field specialists include beef cattle; community economics; agronomic systems; dairy management and precision livestock; food, nutrition, and wellness; energy development; manure nutrient management systems; agricultural and resource law; food safety; youth nutrition and wellness; family wellness; and organizational and community leadership development.
Contributed by the Ohio State University Extension Office.
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