Community Event

Interweaving the stories of three Black generational farmers to create a collective and intimate portrait of farming today, SEEDS is a moving and powerful exploration of their lives, joys and struggles as well as the fragility of legacy and owning land. With remarkable intimacy, the film documents their everyday lives - cotton harvesting, chasing cows, dealing with broken machinery and financial precarities. The camera relishes simple moments - conversations through car windows, candy from grandma’s purse as it captures moments of warmth, joy and fulfillment - turning them into striking vignettes that honor the families’ connection to the land and each other. But the sobering reality underscores the urgency of their story. Black farmers owned 16 million acres of land in 1910 but today, that number has dwindled to a fraction. The farmers in the community struggle to access funding that white farmers nearby seem to secure with ease. Through these inter-generational stories, we see the cycles of inequity and embedded racism that persist to this present day, and the signs of hope and renewal with younger generations of farmers. SEEDS emphasizes how human beings are innately tied to our foundational roots, roots which carry our ancestral memories - somber, bitter, and sweet.

Join Farm-To-Power and their panel of experienced Ohio farmers as they discuss some current examples of agrivoltaics in Ohio. Hear directly from solar grazers and developers as they discuss their experiences incorporating grazing practices into solar developments, challenges they've faced, and the benefits it can bring. 

Please join the Ohio Department of Agriculture for an event on April 30th that connects Ohio growers and food manufacturers directly to retail and food service buyers. More than 25 Ohio Proud partners, including several who are new to sampling at this event, will be available to sample and answer questions about their local, Ohio-made products! If you would like to attend the Ohio Proud Food Summit, please complete and return this form by Thursday, April 24. There is no charge to attend, but registration is requested. Questions? Please feel free to reach out to us at OhioProud@agri.ohio.gov or Ashley.McDonald@agri.ohio.gov. We hope to see you there! REGISTRATION FORM

Join Growing and Growth Collective (GGC) at the Sow The Seeds 5th Anniversary Gala, featuring Brother(hood) Dance!, for an unforgettable evening of art, culture, and connection. The 3-in-1 program benefits GGC and includes a celebratory luncheon, performances, a garden walk, and a litter cleanup. Black on Earth is an interdisciplinary performance combining dance, agriculture, and technology to explore Black ecological relationships and land stewardship. This excerpt reveals embodied histories of Black growers, reconnecting with the earth through movement, sound, and storytelling. Rooted in African diasporic traditions, the work reimagines sustainability and ancestral resilience. Black on Earth invites audiences to witness the profound bond between Black bodies and the land. #DanceTheEarthTruths Get your tickets here.

Plant The Power VegFest is a plant-based food and wellness festival highlighting local BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) owned vendors, workshops, and live entertainment with the intention to expose, educate and empower folks on the holistic benefits of plant-based living for our personal health, nonhuman animals and our environment. Check out more details at the link below.

Join the Midwest Vegetable Growers Network (MVEG) and fellow vegetable farmers who will explore together how to integrate stress management practices into their unique farming operations. All sessions are held virtually from 7:30-9 p.m. ET.  Sept 15 - Weathering Stress - What has come up for you to stress about this season? In the midst of the stressful season, what are we doing to get ourselves through to the end of the season without burning out? How has your mindset around stress changed from pre-season planning to in-the-moment experiences? Register for free here.  

Join Property Rights Ohio and Farm-To-Power for an expert panel discussion on the importance of landowner rights in renewable energy development. As renewable energy projects continue to be considered across Ohio, it's important to maintain the integrity of individual property rights for those landowners involved. Learn about these rights and their implications in energy development, how they are being threatened at the state and local level, and why it's crucial to protect them. This event is open to the public, and drinks and light refreshments will be provided. There is limited capacity, so be sure to RSVP here for your spot. The event's panelists include: Tony Logan | Farmer, Attorney, and Ohio Farmer's Union Board Member Wayne Greier | Farmer, Advocate, and Renewable Energy Farmers of America Board Member Rick Fryman | Former Teacher, Advocate, and Morrow Co Resident

Join Great Council State Park for an interactive presentation learning all about how soils form under prairie landscapes, why midwestern soils are considered "prime" for agricultural use, how we can implement more sustainable agriculture practices, and rediscover how native cultures farmed in sync with nature. The presentation will be followed by a short hike through the prairie down to the Little Miami River and back. There will be a guided tour of Great Council State Park, the museum dedicated to learning about the Shawnee Indians who once lived in the area. This event will be suitable for most ages, including children, adults, and seniors. The goal of this event is to educate Ohioans on how the soils in this region developed, the importance of caring for this important natural resource, and what we can all do to promote soil health. This presentation will be given by Linsey McFadden, a graduate student completing a Master’s in Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences this year. The guided tour of Great Council will be given by Naturalists from Great Council State Park. Event Agenda: 1:30 p.m. | Interactive presentation 2:15 p.m. | Hike and discussion through the prairie down to the Little Miami River & back 3 p.m. | Guided tour of Great Council State Park