2024 National BIPOC and Urban Growers’ National Conference

Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center 100 Green Meadows Drive, Lewis Center, United States

From June 27-29, 2024, engage in networking and education opportunities that address the unique challenges and needs faced by Black farmers and urban growers. 3 keynote presentations 16 concurrent workshops Networking and technical assistance Urban agriculture tours The conference is free, but registration is required. Registration closes on May 24, 2024.

SW Ohio Hands-On Body Mechanics Workshop

Mile Creek Farm 10786 Mile Road, New Lebanon, United States

Join Cynthia Flores with Labor Movement in understanding BETTER body mechanics and movement patterns in order to increase workforce productivity and help decrease workplace injuries. Open to farmers and farmworkers, time will be spent in an interactive atmosphere moving through four basic movement patterns: hinge, squat, push, and pull, along with the importance of core stability. Each participant will leave with tips focused on ways to improve their overall movement patterning and work-related well-being. Plenty of opportunity for Q&A. Registration is free but space is limited to allow for some individual attention. Click the link below to register.

Integrated Farm and Café Tour

Fresh to Morrow Farm and Cafe 5190 Gilmour Road, Morrow, United States

Fresh To Morrow is a seed-to-fork, family-owned farm and café. The farm practices no spray, regenerative farming, and permaculture methods. Their café is close to the Little Miami River and bike trail. This team has built a vertically-integrated food system that incorporates both their farm and other local producers. Building soil health, encouraging seasonal eating, supporting their local economy, and reducing food waste are important aspects of their work.

Tantré Farm Tour

Tantre Farm 2510 Hayes Road, Chelsea, MI, United States

Tantré Farm started its very first crops of potatoes, winter squash, and garlic in 1993 on a 40-acre parcel. Since then their farm has grown to include about 80 to 100 varieties of vegetables, mushrooms, and a small variety of herbs and flowers. Now their farmland has grown to 115 acres of wetland, woods, and sand-loam fields in the area. Produce is sold through CSA shares, at various local stores, restaurants, and also at the Ann Arbor and Chelsea Farmers Markets. Join Richard on a tour of this beautiful farm and get an opportunity to glean knowledge from his more than 30 years of organic farming experience. Learn more and register at the link below.

Three Creeks Produce Tour and Field Walk

Three Creeks Produce 5362 Swisher Road, Groveport, United States

Many farms have diversified outlets, making wash/pack management a high priority. Multiple options exist to keep products flowing while maintaining high quality. Costs for indoor packsheds can seem out of reach, but thoughtful choices and creativity can go pretty far. See how Three Creeks implements simple processes to serve their customers (restaurants, wholesale outlets, and CSA participants) with their limited facilities, infrastructure, cold storage, and labor. Discuss what they started with, how they use what they have, and what’s next on their list. Register at the link below.

Event Series Organics 101

Organics 101

Zoom

In this virtual workshop series, OEFFA staff will cover the basics of organic certification, organic farming practices, and some things farmers should consider before becoming certified. What is organic? (Monday, June 10)—Understand the wide variety of definitions of organic, the holistic approach to organic farming, and some land stewardship practices used in organic agricultural systems. Is organic for me? (Monday, July 8)—Examine how your farm business could benefit from organic certification (or not) and discuss the pros and cons of becoming certified organic. How do I become certified organic? (Monday, August 12)—Walk through the steps to becoming certified, understand the paperwork, and hear tips for making the certification process as smooth as possible. Register by using the link below.

Event Series Bouquet Making Workshop

Bouquet Making Workshop

Upper Arlington Farmers Market 2140 Tremont Center, Upper Arlington, OH, United States

Working with flowers is a wonderful way to bring people together, promote positive energy, stress relief, and healing. Learn to craft flower bouquets in this workshop with two long time Common Greens producers, Pam of L Marie and Adrianne of Owl's Nest. Leave with the bouquet you made wrapped in tissue or craft paper, knowledge about arranging, and a fun experience!

Animal Mortality Composting Certification

The Longview Center 1495 W Longview Avenue, Mansfield, United States

Attend the Animal Mortality Composting Certification if you compost animals. Before you compost dead livestock, you must obtain an Animal Mortality Composting Certification. The certification is a legal requirement per the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Rule 901: 13: 1 – 13. The complete Rule is found at https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/chapter-901:13-1 Presenter: Glen Arnold, Hancock County OSU Extension. Mr. Arnold has specialized in manure nutrient management since 2012. His work has involved subsurface swine manure applications into wheat, side dressing corn with liquid livestock manure on emerged corn or replacing commercial side dress nitrogen with liquid manure on emerged corn. Pizza, class materials and certificate are provided. Register at the link below.

$15

Organic Farmer Researcher Meeting: Expanding Your Vision Through On-Farm Research

Zoom

Jordan Settlage operates Settlage & Settlage Farms in St. Mary's, Ohio, with his father John Settlage. Together they manage 500 acres and 300 dairy cows. The farm is a grass-based organic dairy using rotational grazing. Among several on-farm research endeavors, Jordan has helped trial two different satellite mapping systems for pasture management. Jordan will talk about how these and other research partnerships have helped his farm. Connection Details Join Zoom Meeting https://osu.zoom.us/j/95022597557?pwd=Q1IxUEFHR0NhdGhrZ3R0QTFJa2ZOdz09 Join by Phone Dial 1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) or 1 651 372 8299 (Minnesota) Meeting ID: 950 2259 7557 Password: 654283 Use *6 to mute/unmute Use *9 to raise/lower hand The Organic Farmer Researcher Network is a collaborative effort facilitated by Central State University, Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Association, and The Ohio State University. Farmers, educators, researchers, and other interested individuals are welcome to join us on the first Thursday of each month to discuss a variety of topics related to organic production research.

Pasture Walk at Mt. Airy Ranch

Mt. Airy Ranch 3791 Cooperriders Road Northeast, Somerset, United States

Join Rural Action for a pasture walk at Mt. Airy Ranch where Katrina and Ben Carpenter raise herds of grass-fed Black Angus and Texas Longhorn cattle. Mt. Airy Beef is the name of the beef production business and the food truck they operate. Bob Hendershot, a retiree from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) as the state grassland conservationist and state (GLCI) Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative coordinator, will be joining. The pasture walk will cover topics including... Mt. Airy Ranch and its history Managing pasture to grow more forage in the summer Planning for fall and winter grazing Weed control -- to clip or not to clip? "Manage your pasture so they never have a bad day." Exploring other income streams such as Mt. Airy Beef's food truck Use the link below to register.

$5