Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association

CSA and Wholesale Farm Tour with Shared Legacy Farms
2024-08-28 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Toronto) | Shared Legacy Farms, 3701 South Schultz-Portage Road, Elmore, 43416, United States
Managing a large CSA as well as wholesale outlets takes a great deal of organization and planning. Kurt and Corinna Bench at Shared Legacy Farms have managed to keep both outlets happy and have implemented practices over the years that keep the work streams efficient. Visit this robust multi-generational farm and see how they manage their processes and keep their customers fulfilled with a steady flow of fresh produce throughout the season.
Register at the link below.

Farm Employment Law Basics
2024-08-26 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
Farm employment law feels intimidating, but with just a few key rules and operating principles, the farm or ranch business can navigate this potential minefield with confidence. With Farm Commons, learn about the fundamentals of farm employment law, including classifying workers and the obligations of every farm employer. Understand where you need to learn more and where you can sit back with confidence, no matter where you are in your farming journey.
Register at the link below.
This event is a part of OEFFA’s 2024 Farm Tour and Workshop Series. Learn more at oeffa.org/farmtours.

Rock Dove Farm Tour
2024-08-25 14:00 - 16:00 | Rock Dove Farm, 5319 State Route 142 SE, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Walk through Rock Dove Farm and hear about some of their collaborative projects with Fox Hollow Farm, beekeepers, aquarium fish farmers, and more. And for the last two seasons the farm underwent a lot of infrastructure projects, in part, through a USDA grant. Check out their updates, including a well, two high tunnels, some ponds, and an ongoing compost and reforestation project.

Growers & Griots: A Screening & Conservation Series (High on the Hog)
2024-08-25 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-07-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Grandview Theater and Drafthouse, 1247 Grandview Ave, Grandview Heights, 43212, United States
Growing & Growth Collective will focus on the roots of Black foodways and the path toward food sovereignty. Following each 45- to 55-minute screening, the audience will participate in a guided reflection led by Dr. Jared Grant, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics at The Ohio State University.
Tickets are $10 per person OR BOGO – $5 per person with a 2-for-1 deal! Bring a friend!
Part 1: Sunday, June 29 (1-3 p.m.)
Part 2: Sunday, July 28 (1-3 p.m.)
Part 3: Sunday, August 25 (1-3 p.m.)
Part 4: Sunday, September 29 (1-3 p.m.)

Land Health = Land Wealth
2024-08-23 08:00 - 2024-08-24 17:00 | Greenacres, 8255 Spooky Hollow Rd, Cincinnati, OH, 45242, United States
Greenacres Foundation and Holistic Management International will once again collaborate to present a workshop on how to effectively plan and execute well-timed and appropriate infrastructure and animal performance milestones through to cash flow.
HMI Certified Educators Linda Pechin-Long and Wayne Knight join Michael Cox, Education Director for Greenacres Foundation, in demonstrating adaptive grazing management and case studies on how to start Holistic Planned Grazing, which can help managers learn how to optimize forage quality for animal performance while also ensuring pastures receive enough time to recover between successive grazing.
The workshop will introduce some of the planning tools through hands-on case studies and activities. Come see “Safe to Fail” Trials and learn how they can help you discover how grazing and time are critical to pasture productivity and resilience.

Nutrient Management Field Day
2024-08-22 07:30 - 15:00 | Stoney Ridge Farms, 14031 Broom Rd., Waldron, MI, 49288, United States
Join the Fulton Soil & Water Conservation District for a field day to learn about on-farm research, biologicals, cover crops, and more. Keynote speaker Ray Archuleta will be speaking on soil health principles.
There is no cost to attend and a locally-sourced lunch will be provided. To register, contact (419) 583-6517.

Ohio-Pennsylvania No-Till Field Day
2024-08-20 13:00 - 16:30 | Myron Wehr Farm, 45404 State Route 46, New Waterford, 44408, United States
Attendees will see cover crop plots and learn how they improve soil health with Jay Brandt from Walnut Creek Seeds. Osler Ortez, a corn specialist with OSU Extension, will discuss corn trials at the Wehr Farm and across the state, also diving into his cover crop research projects. A farmer panel will answer questions about sustainability, regenerative agriculture, and economics.
Learn more and register at the link below.

Farmer Help Shop
2024-08-19 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.

Organic Weed Control Field Day for Row Crops
2024-08-19 10:00 - 15:00 | Bishop Family Farms, 6362 Township Highway 80, Mt. Blanchard, 45867, United States
This event caters to agricultural professionals who would like to learn more about organic production. Participation is also open to row crop farmers considering a transition to or towards organic production. The workshop will focus on organic weed control, with an overview of the regulations, biology, tools, and tactics, including (conditions permitting) equipment demonstrations. Register at the link below.
Co-sponsored by Organic Agronomy Training Service (O.A.T.S.) through a grant with USDA North Central Region SARE program project number ENC22-215

No-Till Farm Tour at Sunbeam Family Farm
2024-08-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Sunbeam Family Farm, 3414 Northridge Rd., Alexandria, OH, 43001, United States
Join Chuck and Cynthia Dilbone at Sunbeam Family Farm to learn how they have transitioned to a no-till permanent bed system on their CSA and market farm. Sunbeam has six hoop houses and over 300 permanent beds that are 100 feet long and 30 inches wide. Tour their farm to see the practices they currently employ and discuss the strategies they used in making this shift. Hear about the benefits they are seeing as well as the challenges they encountered along the way. This is your opportunity to ask all your no-till questions of seasoned, successful growers!

Click the link below to register.

Urban Goldenseal Farm Tour
2024-08-17 17:00 - 19:00 | Golden Summit Forest, Akron, United States
Are you interested in touring a working urban forest farm? Join Rural Action for a sunset farm tour at Golden Summit Forest in Akron, Ohio. Gain a deeper understanding of what it means to grow goldenseal in alternative habitats directly from a grower. The farm tour will cover the ins and outs of growing goldenseal and other woodland botanicals.
Register for free at the link below.

Diversified Fruits Farm Tour
2024-08-17 13:00 - 16:00 | Boulder Berry Farms, 5580 Lundy Whitacre Road, Morrow, 45122, United States
Boulder Berry Farms is a 143-acre farm located on Todd’s Fork Creek in southwest Ohio. They grow organic elderberries, haskaps, aronia berries, and kiwi berries. The farm also has a herd of purebred KuneKune pigs raised for personal consumption and for breeding stock, feeders, and farm companion sales. This tour will offer an in-depth look at the installation, maintenance, and harvesting of all the specific fruits Boulder Berry grows, as well as their ideas for further farm expansion.
This event is a part of OEFFA’s 2024 Farm Tour and Workshop Series. Learn more at oeffa.org/farmtours.

Bouquet Making Workshop
2024-08-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Clintonville Farmers Market, 3535 North High St., Columbus, OH, 43214, 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!

Organics 101
2024-08-12 13:00 - 15:00 | 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.
This event is a part of OEFFA’s 2024 Farm Tour and Workshop Series. Learn more at oeffa.org/farmtours.

Nutritious Grains Farm Tour and Grain Growers Chapter Meeting
2024-08-09 10:00 - 15:30 | Next Gen Organic Farms, 6444 State Route 65, Leipsic, 45856, United States
Next Gen Organic Farms is a father and son operation in northwest Ohio. They travel to four surrounding counties to farm around 900 acres of certified organic corn, soybeans, and wheat. They strive to continue producing strong nutrient-based organic grains for consumers while keeping a good cover crop rotation and maintaining their soil health. An OEFFA Grain Growers Chapter meeting will take place before the tour from 10-11:45 a.m.
This event is a part of OEFFA’s 2024 Farm Tour and Workshop Series. Learn more at oeffa.org/farmtours.

Land Leasing Basics
2024-08-08 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
Leasing farmland is so commonplace that landowners, farmers, and ranchers may not think twice about the lease itself…until things go wrong. Prevent problems with a strong lease while building a path to a resilient future. With Farm Commons, understand what a lease should include and how to put it in writing. Get started with the tools, knowledge, and skills you need to create a strong document that works for your needs, whether you are a landowner, rancher, or farmer.
Register at the link below.
This event is a part of OEFFA’s 2024 Farm Tour and Workshop Series. Learn more at oeffa.org/farmtours.

Yellowbird Foodshed Facility Tour
2024-08-07 13:00 - 15:00 | Yellowbird Foodshed, 13246 Wooster Road, Mount Vernon, 43050, United States
Tour Yellowbird Foodshed facilities, and talk with the owner and buyer to see if working with them is a good fit for your farm. Click the link below to register.

Manure Science Review
2024-08-06 09:00 - 15:30 | Molly Caren Agricultural Center, 135 State Route 38 NE, London, 43140, United States
Learn about best manure application practices, effects of manure placement on subsurface drainage, and the 360 RAIN irrigation unit. See demonstrations of the 360 RAIN for liquid manure application, dry manure calibration, an autonomous tractor, and manure spill mitigation.
Register at the link below.

Faithlands National Conference
2024-08-06 - 2024-08-08 | Methodist Theological School of Ohio, 3081 Columbus Pike, Delaware, 43015, United States
Join a gathering of faith-community leaders and farmer advocates from around the U.S. who are interested in learning and sharing about growing food on lands owned by faith-based communities. Participate in structured dialogue about how to facilitate access to thousands of parcels owned by faith-based institutions to empower beginning, immigrant and BIPOC farmers. Learn about partnership opportunities and successful models of leasing to commercial farms, nonprofits and more!
Click the link below to learn more and register.

The USDA and You: Local Food Grants
2024-08-05 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Explore how federal funding can benefit a direct-to-consumer food system. Get an overview of the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) and how it supports the development of direct marketing, local and regional food, and value-added agricultural products. LAMP encompasses the Farmers Market Promotion Program, Local Food Promotion Program, Regional Food System Partnerships Program, and Value-Added Producer Grants Program. Join this virtual conversation to learn how these are important investments to support your communities’ future growth.
Register at the link below.
This event is a part of OEFFA’s 2024 Farm Tour and Workshop Series. Learn more at oeffa.org/farmtours.

Cultivating Connections Conference
2024-08-05 - 2024-08-06 | University of Cincinnati College of Law, 2925 Campus Green Dr, Cincinnati, 45221, United States
The Cultivating Connections Conference, an annual event dedicated to farm transition planning, is returning for its second year on August 5 and 6, 2024. Cultivating Connections serves as a forum for learning, discussing, and collaborating on the latest strategies, tools, and legal and tax aspects of farm transition planning. The conference fosters a supportive community dedicated to preserving the legacy and sustainability of family farms for future generations.
Learn more and register at the link below.

No Till, No Problem - Managing Soil Health at Rose Hill Farm
2024-08-03 15:00 - 17:00 | Rose Hill Farm, 7680 Rose Hill Road, Roseville, 43777, United States
Soil management on commercial produce farms tends to entail some combination of tillage, cultivation, herbicides, plastic mulch, and fertilizer. A new generation of farmers are inventing ecological approaches that reduce or eliminate these inputs and their negative consequences. While most folks have heard about no-till farming and soil health by now, there is less clarity about the scalability, efficiency, and profitability of these concepts within the context of local food systems. This Rural Action workshop is hosted by Rose Hill Farm, a 125-acre family farm and wildlife habitat that currently grows about 10 acres of summer produce and 10 acres of willow coppice.

Learn more and register by clicking the link below.

Pawpaw Workshop
2024-08-03 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-08-03 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-08-03 09:00 - 10:00 | Clintonville Farmers Market, 3535 North High St., Columbus, OH, 43214, United States
Join Libbey Farm for a seminar on growing pawpaws (Asimina triloba) in your backyard! Discover the history and magic of Ohio’s official state native fruit. Guests will receive a swag bag that includes a pawpaw seed kit, plus exclusive access to seedlings and grafted trees. Learn about propagating plants, finding tools and resources, and other insider tips.

Organic Inspection Field Day at The North Farm
2024-08-02 10:00 - 14:00 | The North Farm, N5431 Rock River Road, Chatham, MI, 49816, United States
Join us for a field day focused on organic inspection at The North Farm, a diverse certified organic farm that is part of MSU’s Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center. Learn what to expect during an inspection and have time to discuss inspection questions and concerns with fellow farmers.

Bouquet Making Workshop
2024-08-01 17:00 - 18:00 | Bexley Farmers Market, E. Main and Dawson Ave, Columbus, OH, 43209, United States

On-Farm Organic Vegetable Trials 2025 Working Group Meeting: OOFRN August Meeting
2024-08-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
The Ohio Organic Farmer Researcher Network invites you to join in making key decisions about a state-wide organic vegetable variety trial for the 2025 growing season. Variety trials are a useful and relatively easy entryway into on-farm research. When replicated on multiple farms, the results can offer good information across the variety of growing conditions in our state. Be part of this discussion to make sure these plans are practical and focused on useful questions.
If you’d like to be part of this working group, but can’t make the meeting, please let OOFRN know and they’ll send other options for weighing in.
