Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association

Small Farm Mushroom Production
2025-09-05 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Toronto) | Last Bardo Farm, 7400 Dyer Road, Mt. Sterling, OH, 43143, United States
This event is canceled. Contact Common Greens with questions.
Interested in starting a small farm based mushroom operation? Join Leslie and Stacey Smith of Last Bardo Farm to view their on-farm mushroom production, tour their fruiting room and processing space, and learn about freeze drying methods of culinary mushrooms. Last Bardo Farm is a family-owned mushroom farm dedicated to bringing the freshest, highest-quality mushrooms to Central Ohio. The farm is passionate about growing unique, flavorful varieties in service to the local culinary community with mushrooms that are handpicked for their exceptional taste and nutritional value.

OEFFA at the Ohio Pawpaw Festival
2025-09-12 - 2025-09-14 | Ohio Pawpaw Festival, 5900 US Highway 50, Albany, OH, 45710, United States
The Ohio Pawpaw Festival is a fun-filled, educational community event celebrating one of America’s largest native tree fruits, the pawpaw. Visit ohiopawpawfest.com to learn more about an informational session organized by OEFFA, “Making Sense of Labels: What Does Organic Really Mean?”
Register for the festival and learn more at ohiopawpawfest.com.
This event is a part of the 2025 OEFFA Farm Tour and Workshop Series.

Farmer Help Shop
2025-09-15 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-10-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
OEFFA’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.
Click the link below to register and receive the Zoom meeting link.

MVEG Farm Stress Management Cohort: Session Three
2025-09-15 19:30 - 21:00 | Zoom
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.

Grazing Tools: Healthy Land & Livestock
2025-09-18 - 2025-09-19 | End of the Ridge Farms, 520 McCarty Rd., West Union, 45693, United States
Through field-based learning, group discussion, and holistic planning tools, participants will learn how to read their land, adjust their management, and build soil health over time with Holistic Management International. This workshop is for land stewards looking to deepen their understanding of pasture-based systems and the regenerative potential of grazing.
Key topics and outcomes:

In-field forage assessment: what to look for and how to respond
Grazing strategies that support soil building and water cycling
Holistic decision-making: balancing animal needs, land health, and your goals
A framework for observation, adaptation, and resilience
Tools for improving your grazing plan season to season

Learn more and register at the link below. The price includes lunch both days, and financial assistance is available for eligible participants.

Organic Possibilities with NRCS: Understanding Interim Conservation Practice 823 and Beyond
2025-09-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
Elise (Landres) Nowack, Organic Conservation Specialist, and Joe Rowland, CFSA Organic Initiatives Coordinator, will explore how NRCS Interim Conservation Practice 823: Organic Management can support both transitioning and certified organic producers. They will go over how to work effectively with NRCS, consider related conservation practices, and find the right support, even if 823 isn’t the right fit.
Register for the free webinar at the link below.

2025 BFFN Annual Conference
2025-09-19 - 2025-09-20 | Central State University Dayton, 840 Germantown St, Dayton, 45402, United States
Join the BIPOC Food and Farming Network (BFFN) Annual Conference on Friday and Saturday, September 19 and 20 in Dayton, Ohio. This conference will include workshops and hands-on skill shares led by experienced practitioners; bus tours of area farms; an awards dinner and network gathering.
Whether you’re an experienced farmer or just getting started, you’ll leave with practical tools, expanded skills, and deeper connections to a statewide network of BIPOC food and agricultural leaders. This event is free and open to the public! Learn more and register at the link below.

Kentucky Mechanical Weed Control Field Day
2025-09-23 08:00 - 16:00 | UK Horticulture Research Farm, 4321 Emmert Farm Lane, Lexington, KY, 40514, United States
The University of Kentucky Center for Crop Diversification (CCD), the Organic Association of Kentucky, and Glacial Drift Enterprises are hosting this full-day, hands-on event that offers farmers, ag professionals, and students focused on specialty crops, the opportunity to:

Test a range of weed-control and cultivation equipment, from walk-behind models to four-wheel tractor?mounted tools;
Learn best practices for making cultivator and tool adjustments in real-time;
Discover the latest mechanical weed-control innovations suitable for small, medium, and large-scale production; and
Network with peers, expert practitioners, and equipment manufacturers.

The deadline to register is September 9, 2025, and space is limited. Learn more and register at the link below.

2025 Southern Ohio Forest Farming Conference
2025-09-26 - 2025-09-28 | United Plant Savers, 35703 Loop Rd, Rutland, OH, 45775, United States
The 2025 Southern Ohio Forest Farming Conference is an immersive, weekend-long gathering that brings together new and experienced forest farmers, professionals, and natural products entrepreneurs from across the region.
Participants will explore forest farming topics including growing, conserving, harvesting, and marketing a wide range of species such as mushrooms, goldenseal, and elderberry. The event will also focus on small business development, marketing, value-added strategies, and looking at agritourism as a way to diversify income and engage the public with forest-based enterprises. Experience hands-on learning, inspiring speakers, and networking opportunities in the heart of Appalachian Ohio. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, this conference will equip you with the tools, connections, and knowledge to grow sustainably.
Learn more and register at the link below.

Film Screening: How to Poison a Planet, featuring a Q&A with Rob Bilott
2025-09-26 17:00 - 21:00 | Ohio Union US Bank Conference Theater, 1739 N High St, Columbus, 43210, United States
Join The Ohio State University’s Environmental Professionals Network for a free film screening of How to Poison a Planet, a new documentary about PFAS contamination across the water’s world systems, including here in the U.S.
The event will feature a Q&A with the environmental attorney who was the inspiration behind the film Dark Waters, Rob Bilott. The film screening is free, but registration is required.
Agenda:

5:00 p.m. Doors open at U.S. Bank Conference Theater at the Ohio Union. Snacks and refreshments are served.
6:15 p.m. Welcome remarks provided by Dean Kathy Seward Northern, JD, Associate Dean for Outreach, Engagement and Professional Identity & Jones Day/Robert M. Duncan Designated Associate Professor of Law, The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law.
6:20 p.m. Screening of Revealed: How to Poison a Planet (1hr 35min showtime; IMDb link).
7:55 p.m. David Hanselmann, Member, Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission, and original Founder and Coordinator of the Environmental Professionals Network (EPN) at Ohio State, provides brief reactionary remarks to the film and introduces the panel.
8:00 p.m.?Fireside discussion, featuring documentary cast member and inspirational environmental attorney Rob Bilott, JD, Taft Law Firm; Author, Exposure and Juliana Huizenga, PhD, senior environmental engineer at Cyclopure. Conversation moderated by Callia Téllez, 2L Student, Ohio State, Moritz College of Law.
8:35 p.m.?Audience Q&A with Bilott, Huizenga, and Téllez.
9:00 p.m. Event concludes.

Organic Grazing Pasture Walk
2025-09-27 09:00 - 11:00 | Finch Creek Farm, 1477 US Route 68 S, Xenia, OH, 45385, United States
Established in 1992, Finch Creek Farm has 300 acres of certified organic land with grass-fed and -finished cattle, pastured meat chickens, and pastured laying hens. Reinhold and Melissa Finkes prioritize animal health and conservation through rotational grazing on the farm. Learn about their innovative business structure, which includes both direct sales and a CSA program, and how they made the transition to organic.
Register for this free tour here.
This event is a part of the 2025 OEFFA Farm Tour and Workshop Series. It is held in partnership with Central State University Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and OSU College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. Participant support is available to those who plan to attend an OEFFA farm tour and who identify as Black, Indigenous, or Persons of Color, farmers in their first 10 years of production, and farmers who are actively seeking land.

The Lavender Project's agriCULTURE Fest
2025-10-02 18:30 - 2025-10-03 21:00 | Dayton, Ohio, Dayton, United States
The Lavender Project is a creative partnership that aims to celebrate the stories of women and LGBTQ+ farmers of color through digital storytelling, public mural projects, and community events that connect art and culture with food, seeds, and farming.
You’re invited to attend The Lavender Project’s two-day agriCULTURE Fall Fest, which roots itself in the heart of Dayton, with two evenings of culture, community, and celebration.
Night One — Sunset Stories at The Neon
On Thursday, October 2nd, the festival opens at The Neon Theater with a special screening of Farming While Black at 7:30 PM (tickets $7). Guests arrive early at 6:30 PM for an art show and seed social, where they engage with original agricultural photography and take home free seed packets.
?? Tickets available here: neonmovies.com/movie/farming-while-black
Night Two — Moonlight Markets in St. Anne’s Hill
On Friday, October 3rd, the celebration continues in St. Anne’s Hill with a Night Market from 6–9 PM at Fifth Street Brewpub. The market features local farmers, artisans, food, and drink, creating a lively open-air gathering space. The night also includes the Hall Hunger Initiative’s closing ceremony for their “Eat Fresh, Buy Local” campaign, grounding the festivities in community health and sustainability. Fifth Street Brewpub will be offering a craft beer made with locally grown lavender from Mission of Mary, with a portion of proceeds going to support this campaign, and a new monthly special of vegan crab cakes made with Lion’s Mane mushrooms locally sourced from Guided by Mushrooms.

Pure Heirloom Seeds Field Walk
2025-10-09 14:00 - 16:00 | Pure Heirloom Seeds, 13930 Butternut Road, Burton, 44021, United States
Join OEFFA and Rodale Institute Organic Consulting for this field walk and conversation. Farmers are invited to discuss crops, pests, diseases, and production methods in this informal gathering. Pure Heirloom Seeds will offer a walk through their fields and share their story, obstacles, and goals.
This is a free event with no registration required.

On-Farm Mushroom Spawn Production Trial
2025-10-16 12:00 - 18:30 | Blue Owl Hollow, 6000 Porter Road, Newark, 43055, United States
The Blue Owl is really two unique, but complementary, farming operations that fit nicely into the cycle of seasons: a small herb farm that produces culinary and crafting herbs, and heirloom fruits, flowers, and vegetables for sale at local markets; plus a 130-acre tree farm focused on log-grown culinary mushrooms, native nuts and berries, and a variety of woody crafting materials. We will focus our farmer exchange on forest farming and especially on mushroom production. Blue Owl owner Janell Baran and Andy Gedeon of Soul Shine Earth will discuss their current study to compare the costs and benefits of raising mushroom spawn on-farm vs. purchasing commercially available spawn. Register at forms.gle/aigtw5mWyZfqqV5z8.
Noon-3 p.m. Technical Woods Walk – Overview of the Forest Farm
3-4 p.m. Refreshments and Discussion
4-6:30 p.m. On-Farm Mushroom Spawn Production Trial
This event is being held in conjunction with Rural Action’s Technical Woods Walk. Participants may attend the Woods Walk, the Research Discussion, or both. Registration is limited due to parking constraints. Carpooling is strongly encouraged!
Questions: Contact Cassy Brown at (330) 263-3634 or brown.1844@osu.edu
This event is a part of the Organic Farmer Researcher Network’s Fall Farmer Exchanges Series. The Organic Farmer Researcher Network is a group of organic and transitioning farmers, supported by agricultural professionals and researchers, who meet regularly to discuss emerging issues, possible projects, and recent or ongoing research. The group is facilitated by staff from OEFFA, Ohio State, and Central State University. Learn more or register at offer.osu.edu/fall-farm-exchanges.

Harvesting Success
2025-10-25 10:00 - 16:00 | Cuyahoga Community College Metropolitan Campus Center, 2900 Community College Ave, Cleveland, 44115, United States
This free one-day event, held by the OSU Urban Ag Team in cooperation with the Cleveland Farm Service Agency, will bring together urban farmers, community leaders, and agriculture professionals to share practical knowledge, innovative resources, and local success stories to support urban agriculture in Cleveland and beyond. If you are new to urban agriculture, this is a great opportunity to connect with the local urban ag network. Throughout the event, our keynote and invited speakers will present on five key topics of urban farming, including the path to a successful urban farm, high tunnel production, integrated pest management, marketing, and business management. A panel of experienced urban farmers will share their practical strategies in overcoming challenges in urban farming during the lunch and learn session. Representatives from local and state organizations will exhibit resources and services provided specifically for urban producers.
Attendance is free and lunch will be provided with registration. Please register by October 15 at the link below.

Property Rights in Renewable Energy Development
2025-11-04 18:00 - 19:00 | The Village Gathering Place, 30 S Main St., Mt. Gilead, OH, 43338, United States
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

A Model for Farmland Transition: Farmland Commons
2025-11-04 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
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.

Navigating Legal & Financial Pathways to Land Access
2025-11-05 12:00 - 12:30, 2025-11-12 12:00 - 12:30 | Zoom
Hosted by Project L.L.A.M.A., this Lunch and Learn Series has the theme “Navigating Legal & Financial Pathways to Land Access.” These four 30-minute virtual learning sessions feature guest presenters who will share practical guidance on zoning, financing, cooperatives, and USDA programs that support farmland access. They will cover key legal considerations, financing options, and strategies to build a strong foundation for long-term land access.
Session lineup:

Nov. 5: Understanding Zoning & Land-Use Regulations for Farmers – Tyler Hauck, AICP, Director of Planning and Development, City of Trotwood
Nov. 12: Financing Farmland: Private Cooperative Options – Marcus Tyler, Farm Credit Mid-America, Customer Resource Manager
Nov. 19: Alternative Pathways: Cooperatives, Leasing & Shared Ownership – Walt Bonham, The Food Lab, Founder
Nov. 26: USDA Programs that Support Land Access – Jeff Barnes, NRCS, District Conservationist

Learn more and register at the link below.

Ohio Farmers Market Conference
2025-11-06 08:00 - 2025-11-07 17:00 | Ohio Department of Agriculture, 8995 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, 43068, United States
The Ohio Farmers Market Network is hosting an annual conference that will include workshops, presentations, and panel discussions designed to improve and enhance Ohio’s farmers markets and direct-to-consumer farmers and food entrepreneurs. Topics for discussion include:

Documenting your assets
Budgeting
Emergency management
Telling a story with data
Direct-to-consumer advocacy
Food safety

Registration is $150 per person for this two-day event ($100 for one day) and includes all presentation materials, lunch, beverages and snacks. If you are a member of the Ohio Farmers Market Network, you will receive a discount code to save $25 per person on registration.

How to Buy a Farm Webinar Series
2025-11-06 12:30 - 14:00 | Zoom
Owning farmland is a dream for farmers who seek secure land tenure. But buying a farm can be a daunting, complex, and time-consuming process. To help first-time farm buyers navigate the process successfully, The Land Connection’s Illinois FarmLink program and Land For Good are hosting a three-part webinar series to highlight key information and insights.
The webinars supplement a comprehensive guide to purchasing farmland soon to be released by Illinois FarmLink and Land For Good. The three webinars will offer opportunities for Q &A.

Webinar #1: The Search, The Purchase Process, & Farmer Success Stories – Thursday, November 6, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. CST
Webinar #2: For Sale By Owner, Seller Financing, and Other Alternative Purchase Options – Thursday, November 13, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. CST
Webinar #3: Your Professional Team – Real Estate Agent, Lender, Attorney – Thursday, November 20, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. CST

Learn more and register at the link below.

Ohio Soil Health Week
2025-11-09 08:00 - 2025-11-15 20:00 | Multiple in-person and virtual locations
Ohio Soil Health Week provides a time and space to celebrate, honor, and protect Ohio’s soils. This weeklong celebration includes outreach, education opportunities, and events to raise awareness around Ohio’s most valuable natural resource: our soil.
To see a list of all statewide and virtual events, visit ohiosoilhealthweek.com/events.

Great Council State Park – Soil Development Under Prairie Landscapes & Sustainable Agriculture
2025-11-09 13:30 - 15:30 | Great Council State Park, 1587 U.S. 68, Xenia, 45385, United States
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

Wood SWCD Soil Week Celebration
2025-11-10 08:00 - 2025-11-14 16:30 | Wood Soil & Water Conservation District, 1616 East Wooster Street Suite 32, Bowling Green, OH, 43402, United States
The Wood Soil and Water Conservation District is participating in the Ohio Soil Health Week celebration by offering “Make a Model Soil” kits and a “Soil Your Undies” display. The public is invited to visit the district office to pick up a kit and take a look at the impact of soil health firsthand.
Please note that the district office is closed on Tuesday, November 11, for Veterans Day.

Green Lunch - The Impact of Soils on Farms, Forests, & Streams
2025-11-10 12:00 - 13:00 | Athens Public Library, 30 Home St., Athens, 45701, United States
Join staff from Rural Action’s Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry, and Watersheds programs for a lively discussion about how healthy soils impact farm viability, food nutrition, plant diversity, and clean streams. This event falls on Ohio’s Soil Health Week, and Rural Action invites attendees to celebrate other events around the state that week!
The event will start at 12 p.m. with a 30-minute presentation by Rural Action staff members, followed by an open discussion with community members until 1 p.m.

Soil Health Week in Montgomery County
2025-11-12 14:00 - 16:00 | The Foodbank Inc., 56 Armor Place, Dayton, 45417, United States
Soil Health Week in Montgomery County is a celebration of regenerative soil practices that you can apply to your own garden or farm. Local organizations and independent professionals are coming together to educate guests on how proper soil management can make a lasting impact on the environment.
The Foodbank Inc. will offer guided tours of its urban garden, showcasing regenerative practices such as composting, biodiversity, interplanting, and the complete avoidance of pesticides and fertilizers. Guests will also explore our hydroponic lettuce greenhouse, which features beneficial insect integration, a custom nutrient blend tailored to Dayton’s water, a recycled water system, and sustainable growing techniques.
Presentations will also educate guests with practical knowledge on how to build healthy soil systems in their own backyard garden or farm.
Whether you’re a seasoned grower or just starting out, Soil Health Week is your chance to learn, connect, and take action. Come get your hands dirty, ask questions, and leave inspired to regenerate your soil.

Ohio Soil Health Week Farm Tour
2025-11-12 15:00 - 17:00 | Brandt Family Farm, 6100 Basil Western Rd., Carroll, OH, 43112, United States
Brandt Family Farm grows corn, soybeans, wheat, and a variety of other cereal grains sold through the on-farm cover crop business, Walnut Creek Seeds. For more than 50 years, the Brandt family has been committed to soil conservation and building healthy soil. The guided tour will focus on soil health, cover crops, no-till practices, and heritage grains.
Register for this free tour here.
This event is a part of the 2025 OEFFA Farm Tour and Workshop Series. It is held in partnership with OEFFA Policy and the Ohio Soil Health Initiative (OSHI). Participant support is available to those who plan to attend an OEFFA farm tour and who identify as Black, Indigenous, or Persons of Color, farmers in their first 10 years of production, and farmers who are actively seeking land.

Soil Properties & Web Soil Survey
2025-11-12 17:30 - 19:30 | Lucas Soil and Water Conservation District Office, 3350 Hill Avenue, Toledo, 43607, United States
Guest Speaker Derrick Freshcorn is a Wetland/Soil Conservationist Compliance Specialist for the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). During his class, he will walk through a soil analysis using Web Soil Survey and provide other visual demonstrations using soil samples.
Derrick is originally from Hardin County, where he grew up around agriculture. He earned a Bachelor of Science from The Ohio State University, majoring in plant pathology and minoring in soil. He presently works on Farm Bill Compliance for NRCS and was formerly a soil scientist at the state office.
This event will be held in the main room of the Lucas SWCD office and is open to all who are interested in learning more about your soil and improving soil health.
Learn more and register at: lucasswcd.org/soilhealthseries.html

Soil Health Week Local Farmer Panel
2025-11-13 08:00 - 10:00 | Licking Soil & Water Conservation District Building, 771 East Main Street, Newark, 43055, United States
Join the Licking County Soil & Water Conservation District and The Ohio State University Extension for a panel discussion and questions. Local farmers will explain their operations and the methods they use to promote soil health.
Register for free here. Complimentary breakfast will be served.
Local Farmer Panel:

Bill Hoskinson – H2Ohio and MWCD Cover Crop

Jared McLaughlin – Nutrient Mgmt. and Drone Seeding

Zach Dobbelaer – Organic Apple Farming

Noah Lynd – Lynd Fruit Farm
