SWOEFFA Chapter: Urban Farm Tour
Visit four urban farms in Hamilton County, Ohio, each growing food for our community in its own way. Meet the farmers as they share each farm’s history and production methods. Together we can celebrate their successes and hear how they have overcome challenges. A unique opportunity to learn, network, and be inspired! This is a car caravan-style program so we will travel from site to site throughout the day in our personal vehicles. A map and GPS directions along with parking information will be provided. This Urban Farm Tour presented by the Southwest Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association Chapter (SWOEFFA) and the Hamilton County Conservation District. For more information, visit hcswcd.org/programs--workshops. Registration is required and includes a boxed lunch. Register for $15 at the link below.
Grassfed Beef and Avian Habitat Tour
Marshy Meadows Farm 7533 Noble Rd., Windsor, OH, United StatesThis 113-acre, women-owned farm was certified organic by OEFFA in 1996. Their old, slow way of making hay has fostered habitat for threatened ground nesting birds, particularly eastern meadowlark and bobolink. Funding from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was used to fence cattle out of the creek, drill a water well, and bury water lines reaching all pastures for the rotationally grazed beef cattle. Part of Marshy Meadows’ conserved acreage will soon be for sale, so attendees are invited to see a working farm, vibrant wildlife habitat, and explore land access possibilities.
Ins-and-Outs of Trellising
Green Table Gardens 1469 Hook Road, Xenia, OH, United StatesJoin an exploration of high tunnel trellising methods for cucumbers and tomatoes with farmer Stephen Mackell at Green Table Gardens. Stephen is experimenting to see which methods are effective with the least amount of labor on his organic market garden. Get a first-hand view of the methods, hear what Stephen is finding to work best for his production system, and consider what might work on your farm!
Labor-Movement Virtual Workshops for Farmers (2-Hour Movement Workshops)
ZoomCynthia of Labor-Movement is offering online sessions over the next month to kick off this season. She will be offering 2-hour Movement Workshops, as well as a 4-part Zoom Series that goes into more detail about the topics covered during the workshops.
2-Hour Movement Workshops:
Movement health + wellness from an athletic perspective for those whose livelihoods rely on their body. Discussion of how athleticism fits into physical labor and what movement self-advocacy is.
Topics covered include:
overall health related to athlete well-being
learn tips on managing food, fluid, sleep, and stress
high use movement patterns: hinge, squat, and carries
ways to reduce occurrence of low back pain and injury
Labor-Movement Virtual Workshops for Farmers (4-Part Zoom Series)
ZoomCynthia of Labor-Movement is offering online sessions over the next month to kick off this season. She will be offering 2-hour Movement Workshops, as well as a 4-part Zoom Series that goes into more detail about the topics covered during the workshops.
4-Part Zoom Series:
Expanded discussion of risk avoidance and management of musculoskeletal injuries. Information will include movement self-advocacy and considerations for implementing change for self and within a farm's strategies. ?
Each session: 60 minutes
May 27: Movement Health, Self-Advocacy, and Athletic Performance
June 3: Food, Fluid, Sleep, and Stress are Foundations of Injury Risk Management
June 10: Body Mechanics and Movement Patterns: Squats, Hinges, and Carries
June 17: Movement Wellness vs Injury Recovery
Grass Based Sheep Farm and Forage ID Pasture Walk
The Tranquility Ranch 3000 Township Road 138 NE, Somerset, OH, United StatesThe Tranquility Ranch is a woman-owned farm raising grass-fed sheep. They use rotational grazing practices and multi-species grazing for parasite control. This is a two-part tour that starts with a tour exploring the systems and practices of Tranquility Ranch, then is followed by a forage ID pasture walk led by Megan Burgess, state grazing specialist with the Ohio Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Farmer Help Shop
ZoomOEFFA's team of educators is available to assist farmers at any stage of their journey. Whether you are making the switch to organic, are already certified, or have questions about sustainable agriculture practices, OEFFA can share guidance and support. Drop in virtually each month to talk to sustainable agriculture educators with your queries and questions.
Labor-Movement Virtual Workshops for Farmers (4-Part Zoom Series)
ZoomCynthia of Labor-Movement is offering online sessions over the next month to kick off this season. She will be offering 2-hour Movement Workshops, as well as a 4-part Zoom Series that goes into more detail about the topics covered during the workshops.
4-Part Zoom Series:
Expanded discussion of risk avoidance and management of musculoskeletal injuries. Information will include movement self-advocacy and considerations for implementing change for self and within a farm's strategies. ?
Each session: 60 minutes
May 27: Movement Health, Self-Advocacy, and Athletic Performance
June 3: Food, Fluid, Sleep, and Stress are Foundations of Injury Risk Management
June 10: Body Mechanics and Movement Patterns: Squats, Hinges, and Carries
June 17: Movement Wellness vs Injury Recovery
Multi-Urban Farm Tour
NECIC Urban Farm 311 Bowman St., Mansfield, OH, United StatesThe North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC) has two large urban farms located within city limits in Mansfield. The NECIC offers a popular farmers’ market, hosts middle and high school school field trips, helps with grant research, and provides hands-on apprenticeship and community engagement. They are a part of the Mansfield Microfarm Project, a community-university collaborative to create economic development through sustainable microfarming (small-plot, high-intensity organic agriculture) in post-industrial urban spaces. Their main objective is to establish a sustainable community-based training program for aspiring beginning farmers.
Equipping a Diversified Vegetable Farm
That Guy's Family Farm 394 State Route 380, Clarksville, OH, United StatesGuy and Sandy Ashmore have built out their array of equipment over the course of several decades as organic vegetable farmers. As Conard and Kelsey, the next generation of Ashmores, transition to leadership, they are evaluating what is essential and what could use modification. Join this conversation with the Ashmore family on what systems have worked for them, what changes they are anticipating, and which equipment is essential to their success.
SWOEFFA Chapter: Bowyer Farm Tour
Bowyer Farm Mason, United StatesBowyer Farms’ 600 acres belong to the Cincinnati Zoo, and include wetland restoration, native plant sales and propagation, beekeeping, animal feed harvesting, cheetah run area, and sun and sheep farming. Guest numbers are limited. More tour information, including the exact location and time, will be shared directly with guests who RSVP.
Policy and Pints: Southeast Ohio
West End Ciderhouse 234 W Washington St, Athens, OH, United StatesThese informal gatherings are a chance for community members around Ohio to connect with staff from the OEFFA’s Policy program and discuss food and farm policy issues. You’ll be able to learn about the work they do to advance state and federal policy, see how you can plug into these advocacy efforts, and engage with other changemakers! Policy and Pints offers an opportunity to network with food and farm policy leaders from across the state. They are free and open to anyone interested in sustainable and organic agriculture and getting involved in policy advocacy.