Farm Tours

Rust Belt Riders’ mission is to feed people, not landfills. They are a worker-owned cooperative that redirects food waste from landfills and converts it into nutrient-rich compost. This compost serves as the foundation of their Tilth Soil blends for farmers, home gardeners, houseplant parents, and everyone in between. This tour takes place at Rathlin Soils' compost site, where Rust Belt Riders is co-located. Walk through this composting facility and learn more about how diverting food from landfills supports our local food system. Register for this free tour here. This event is a part of the 2026 OEFFA Farm Tour Series.

J&J Poultry is a poultry processing facility in northwest Ohio. Each year, they process between 10,000 and 12,000 chickens. Farmer Jim Jacobs will give a tour of the facility, explaining the ins and outs of being a processor. Register for this free tour here. This event is a part of the 2026 OEFFA Farm Tour Series.

Next Gen Organic Farms is a certified organic grain farm growing corn, popcorn, beans, wheat, and alfalfa in northwest Ohio. They use cutting-edge equipment with heavy tillage for weed control. This multi-generational farm has been certified organic for eight years. This field walk will take attendees through their operation, plus view equipment and drone demos. Snacks and refreshments will be provided for attendees. Register for this free tour here. This event is a part of the 2026 OEFFA Farm Tour Series.

Bowyer Farm is home to one of the largest solar arrays in southwest Ohio. This tour will explore their 140-acre (28MW) agrivoltaic solar grazing site, where hundreds of sheep are rotationally grazed under a commercial solar array. Walk through the farm with hosts and shepherds Amanda Wilson and Brady Kirwan from Ohio Solar Grazing, where they demonstrate and discuss their role in this agrivoltaic operation. Plan to park at Bowyer Farm's pavilion at the listed address for a brief introduction to the farm. Then we will board a shuttle to travel to the nearby grazing site. The shuttle will depart the pavilion at 10:15 a.m. and return by 11:45 a.m. Please wear appropriate shoes and clothing for touring the site field. Attendance is limited to 30 people and pre-registration is required. This registration form will close on Sunday, August 23, or when spots are filled. This event is a part of the 2026 OEFFA Farm Tour Series. It is held in partnership with Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden’s Bowyer Farm, Ohio Solar Grazing, and Farm-To-Power.

Fifteen seasons ago, Farmer Stephen fell in love with the idea that healthy soil grows healthy communities. Today, Green Table Gardens is living proof. Certified organic since 2022, Green Table Gardens is a no-till market farm built on compost, living soil, and a commitment to growing the most nutritious produce possible for the people Stephen knows by name. Now, he's inviting you in for a tour of the farm and a look at the full story of how it got here. This isn't just a garden walk. Stephen is opening the financial records of Green Table Gardens and sharing five years of growth charts, revenue reports, and real operational data so you can see exactly what it looks like to grow a small organic farm into an efficient, thriving business. Come walk the rows, ask your questions, and leave with a genuine understanding of what sustainable, profitable organic farming looks like from the inside. Register for this free tour here. This event is a part of the 2026 OEFFA Farm Tour Series.

Warmke Farm's (Annie Warmke farmer) urban food forest project has not only planted up a food forest garden (for propagation stock) on one lot, but is in the process of planting five other properties. This is all on the same small two streets known as Historic Phillips Subdivision, an evolving neighborhood that’s been around since 1896. The tour will begin at Warmke Farm, go on a walk to see neighborhood forest sites, and return to the farm for tea and plant propagation demos. Register for this free tour here. This event is a part of the 2026 OEFFA Farm Tour Series.

How does local organic food come to market in an urban retail space? City Vittles brings foods from Ohio producers to a space on the west side of Cincinnati. See how they utilize technology to make customers’ shopping experience as convenient as possible, while also leveraging in-person interactions at markets. Hear about City Vittles’ food retail approach, which uses ideas and processes reminiscent of general stores and older food retail spaces, but incorporates today's technology to create a new customer experience. City Vittles has a small parking lot available. Street parking is also available on Stathem Ave. Register for this free tour here. This event is a part of the 2026 OEFFA Farm Tour Series.

Celebrate Ohio Soil Health Week with a tour of the Hirzel Farms facility in Luckey, Ohio. Learn about their various processes and services, including organic crop production, food-grade grain processing, composting, canning, and research. Hirzel Farms is dedicated to feeding their community and nurturing soil biodiversity, and they are committed to environmentally and socially responsible farming practices.  Ohio Soil Health Week occurs annually every second full week in November, honoring the late David Brandt, a sustainable agriculture trailblazer and the “Godfather of Soil Health.” The weeklong celebration features a variety of events hosted by multiple organizations and individuals around Ohio—all focusing on soil health. Learn more at ohiosoilhealthweek.com.  Register for this free tour here. This event is a part of the 2026 OEFFA Farm Tour Series. It is held in partnership with the Ohio Soil Health Initiative.