OEFFA Certification

Formed in 1979, the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) cultivates a future in which sustainable and organic farmers thrive, local food nourishes our communities, and agricultural practices protect and enhance our environment.

Ask an OEFFA Educator

Whether you’re just starting or are a seasoned farmer, are transitioning to organic or certified organic, or simply have questions about sustainable agriculture practices and strategies, OEFFA’s sustainable agriculture educators can help!

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Farm Policy Matters

action.oeffa.org

Ohio Organic Farmers in DC: NOC and OFA Fly-Ins
Last month, we went to DC with organic groups twice, each with a farmer from the OEFFA community. First, in early March with the Organic Farmers Association (OFA) and next with the National Organic Coalition (NOC) […]
Join Us for our Third Annual Soil Health Advocacy Day
If you care about healthy soil, we invite you to make your voice heard! Join us on Tuesday, May 19, at 10 a.m. for our third annual Soil Health Advocacy Day. This full-day event at the Ohio […]
DC Fly-In Debrief: A Q&A with Tim Schacht of Ohio Till Farmstead
We are thankful that Tim Schacht, of Ohio Till Farmstead, joined us in DC for the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s annual fly-in this February. The week was spent in community with farmers and advocates from across the country. Together, 150 farmers, ranchers, and […]
Launching Our Ag Policy Tracker
With all that is going on with food and farm policy on the state and federal levels, our policy team is committed to providing our community with up-to-date information that impacts them. That is why we […]

Certification

certification.oeffa.org

OEFFA has operated an organic certification program since 1981. While the standards and the process have evolved since then, what hasn’t changed is OEFFA’s commitment to uphold the integrity of organics and provide farmers and handler/processors a pathway for profitability.

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Outreach

outreach.oeffa.org

OEFFA Outreach is intended to increase awareness of and access to programs and services that support you as sustainable farmers, food system workers, and consumers. Our goal is to provide a platform for growth and networking through the sharing of information and the connection of people.

Land Access | Begin Farming | FarmLink | Resources

OEFFA News

news.oeffa.org

Member Spotlight: Purplebrown Farmstead
Originally published in the Winter 2026 edition of the OEFFA newsletter. In 1999, the Countryside Initiative began the important work of re-establishing working farms within Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP). Its mission was to manage and […]
OEFFA Announces 2026 Award Recipients: Debra Knapke, Bonnie Mitsui and Melinda O’Briant
The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) has named the 2026 recipients of its Stewardship and Service Awards. Bonnie Mitsui and Melinda O’Briant of Turner Farm in Hamilton County received the Stewardship Award, which recognizes […]
47th Annual Ohio Food and Farm Conference Opens Registration
Registration is now open for Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association’s (OEFFA) annual conference! This educational event is now in its 47th year, bringing together farm and food advocates from across the region with educational workshops […]
Member Spotlight: The Local Butcher
Originally published in the Autumn 2025 edition of the OEFFA newsletter. Agriculture is an integral part of the Meeks Family. Jenna Meeks has always aspired to educate others about agricultural practices and now teaches on the […]

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0 events 20 0 events, 20	0 events 21 0 events, 21	0 events 22 0 events, 22	1 event 23 1 event, 23 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Economic Benefits of Renewable Energy Projects April 23 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Economic Benefits of Renewable Energy Projects Join Farm-To-Power and expert panelists as they discuss the economic benefits of renewable energy projects. Hear from a former county commissioner on the community economic benefits, a renewable energy coordinator from a workers' union on the workforce development benefits, and an Ohio farmer with a solar lease on the personal financial benefits that renewable energy projects can bring. This event is open to the public. Drinks and light refreshments will be provided. Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSftkjfSnDgsnGzCuvb6UOF7pJB7463BFDKT_EpTmDiPGPSD5Q/viewform PANELISTS: Tony Zartman \| OHCEF Director of Programs & Operations and Former Paulding Co. Commissioner Jeremy Welch \| CMRCC Renewable Energy Coordinator Robert Suver \| Ohio Soybean Farmer and USSEC and Ohio Soybean Council Representative	0 events 24 0 events, 24	1 event 25 1 event, 25 10:00 am - 2:00 pm OEFFA Lake Effect Chapter: Farm Tour and Potluck April 25 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm OEFFA Lake Effect Chapter: Farm Tour and Potluck Join a farm tour and potluck with OEFFA’s Lake Effect Chapter at A’s and O’s Farm in Mentor, Ohio! This year's tour will be at the farm's "home" field instead of its Lake Shore Blvd. field. This will allow everyone to join a potluck lunch right after the tour, so please bring a dish to share. The farm tour will run from 10 a.m. to noon, with the potluck happening from noon to 2 p.m. The home field features a 16 x 44 foot polyhouse, solar water pumping, an 8000-watt solar array for the home, a small no-till vegetable garden, a small blueberry bush field (they sell the bushes, not the fruit!), and their signature crop: pawpaw trees! Built into the back of the garage, the farm has a small organic food co-op that sells organic food from three sources: local organic farms when available, bulk organic produce from the Cleveland Food terminal, and a buying club that purchases bulk grains, seeds, fruits, and dry goods every month. They will demonstrate planting and tree digging techniques, and hopefully you will have some of your own experiences, methods, and thoughts on small-scale agriculture to share with everyone. This event is happening rain or shine on Saturday, April 25 at 5947 Hopkins Rd., Mentor, OH, 44060. Contact Tom Rapini at (440) 257-2673 (landline) or tomrapini@gmail.com with questions.	0 events 26 0 events, 26
0 events 27 0 events, 27	1 event 28 1 event, 28 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm A Model for Farmland Transition: Farmland Commons April 28 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm A Model for Farmland Transition: Farmland Commons Join The Farmers Land Trust and Central State University Extension for this six-part speakers series featuring community members from the Blue Rock Station Farmland Commons. During these sessions, they will explore the farmland commons model, how Blue Rock Station farmers decided to used it in their farmland transition, and more. Learn more and register for each session below.	0 events 29 0 events, 29	0 events 30 0 events, 30