Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association

OEFFA Grain Growers Chapter: Chapter Meeting and Potluck
2025-08-01 10:00 - 14:30 (America/Toronto) | John Jacobs & Son, 12640 County Road S, Napoleon, OH, 43545, United States
Jim Jacobs of John Jacobs & Son in Napoleon, Ohio, will be hosting a farm tour with OEFFA’s Grain Growers Chapter. The OEFFA Grain Growers Chapter is dedicated to the exchange of ideas and information for organic grain production, processing, and marketing. The chapter welcomes anyone with an interest in organic grain production to attend.
An OEFFA Grain Growers Chapter meeting will take place from 10-11:45 a.m. Please bring a dish to share for a potluck lunch from 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Protein and drinks will be provided by the Chapter and the Jacobs. The farm tour will begin at 1:30 p.m.
Questions can be directed to bburgess@hirzel.com.

Organic Grain Grower Advances in Weed Management
2025-08-01 13:00 - 15:30 | John Jacobs & Son, 12640 County Road S, Napoleon, OH, 43545, United States
This event is in conjunction with OEFFA Organic Grain Growers Chapter Meeting.
Jim Jacobs of John Jacobs & Son will host a farm tour for OEFFA’s Organic Grain Growers Chapter. The farm tour will begin at 1:30 p.m., following a meeting and potluck lunch. The tour will focus on emerging equipment, recent and current on-farm research, and future on-farm research needs with a primary focus on weed management.
More information on the meeting and potluck lunch at grow.oeffa.org/event/oeffa-grain-growers-chapter-chapter-meeting-and-potluck. RSVP to Bridget Burgess at bburgess@hirzel.com for potluck. The farm tour is open to the public.
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.

Plant The Power VegFest
2025-08-03 11:00 - 17:00 | Franklin Park Conservatory Scotts Miracle-Gro Community Garden Campus, 1777 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH, 43203, United States
Plant The Power VegFest is a plant-based food and wellness festival highlighting local BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) owned vendors, workshops, and live entertainment with the intention to expose, educate and empower folks on the holistic benefits of plant-based living for our personal health, nonhuman animals and our environment. Check out more details at the link below.

Flower Farming with Adrianne Roach
2025-08-15 11:00 - 13:00 | Owl’s Nest Farm, 550 Gleason Rd., Piketon, OH, 45661, United States
Join flower farmer Adrianne Roach for a morning of “pick your own stems” and simple bouquet making at Owl’s Nest Flower Farm. Discuss the best plants for starting your own cutting or butterfly garden, how to manage pests using sustainable farming methods, and where to get started in flower farming for profit. Owl’s Nest practices low- and no-till farming using organic methods for healthy soils and beautiful local flowers that are grown not flown.
All equipment and materials will be provided. Guests should bring sunscreen, repellent, water, and sensible shoes they can get dirty.

Farmer Help Shop
2025-08-18 13:00 - 15:00, 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.

2025 Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day
2025-08-20 | Iowa State University Horticulture Research Station, 55519 170th Street, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Join farmers from across the Midwest for this daylong event. Spend the morning checking out weeding tools up close and speaking with company reps at the trade show. Catch education sessions from experienced farmers and experts and engage with farmers from across the region. After a break at noon for lunch, the afternoon will feature the heart of this event: field demonstrations of weeding and cultivation tools for all scales in row crops and vegetables. Head to the demo plots specially planted with corn, beets and brassicas to see numerous tools in action.
Registration is available at the link below until August 6.

Policy and Pints: Southwest Ohio
2025-08-21 17:00 - 19:00 | Turner Farm, 7400 Given Rd, Cincinnati, OH, 45243, United States
Join OEFFA and Green Umbrella for Green Drinks: Policy and Pints! This gathering will take place at Turner Farm where participants will be able to experience the farm, market, and teaching kitchen. We will have a brief talk about farm policy from OEFFA’s Policy program and discuss food and farm policy issues.
The Policy and Pints series offers an opportunity to network with food and farm policy leaders from across the state. You’ll be able to learn about the work we do to advance state and federal policy, see how you can plug into our advocacy efforts, and engage with other changemakers! They are free and open to anyone interested in sustainable and organic agriculture and getting involved in policy advocacy. Learn more at action.oeffa.com/policy-and-pints.
This event is a part of the 2025 OEFFA Farm Tour and Workshop Series.
Space is limited and registration is required for this specific event. Register for free here.

Silvopasture in Practice: Farm Tour
2025-08-23 13:00 - 16:00 | Buckskin Valley Farms and Dairy, 860 Wright Lane, Greenfield, 45123, United States
Curious about how silvopasture could benefit your farm? Join Charlie Eselgroth on his dairy farm, Buckskin Valley Farms and Dairy, to learn why his family chose to plant trees into their pasture. Hear directly from Charlie on the factors that led to this decision, including providing shade, tree crops, and wildlife habitat, as well as how he designed his planting.
Whether you’re exploring silvopasture for the first time or planning your own planting, this tour offers on-the-ground insight and inspiration. You’ll walk away with practical ideas for integrating trees into livestock systems, understanding design considerations, and key lessons from a farm in the early stages of implementation.
Staff from Rural Action will also be present to answer questions about technical assistance and funding resources available for farmers exploring silvopasture.
Learn more and register for free at the link below.

SWOEFFA Chapter: What’s Cooking at the Organic Farm at Bear Creek
2025-08-24 | Organic Farm at Bear Creek, Felicity, 45120, United States
This 51-acre vegetable operation grows and processes ingredients into soups, pasta sauces, dressings, jams, and dipping oils. This tour will cover how Sandra and Jeff Ashba’s farm incorporates growing organic vegetables and operating a cannery. Guest numbers are limited. More tour information, including the exact location and time, will be shared directly with guests who RSVP.
This event is at full capacity. Registration is closed.

What to Expect When Transitioning to No-Till
2025-08-24 14:00 - 16:00 | Birdsong Farm, 11316 Wheeler Rd., Garrettsville, OH, 44231, United States
Dedicated organic farmers’ market and CSA farmer Matt Herbruck has farmed in both Maine and Ohio over the years and transitioned his Portage county farm, Birdsong Farm, to no-till practices. Learn about his process of transitioning to no-till, how long it took, what challenges he experienced, and the rewards he’s seeing now. Tour the farm, ask questions, and gain some insights on how no-till could play a role in your farming systems.
Learn more and register at the link below.

Plow-Down vs. Harvest of Leguminous Cover Crops
2025-08-27 13:00 - 15:00 | Woodlyn Acres Farm, 647 S. Kurzen Road, Dalton, 44618, United States
What are the trade-offs between harvesting or plowing down a leguminous cover crop? A group of five organic farmers in northeast Ohio will be exploring this question as part of the From the Ground Up project, a farmer-led research and collaboration project working to improve on-farm performance of conservation practices in the Midwest. Our host farm Woodlyn Acres Farm has a rich organic rotation which includes 10 different crops. They mindfully apply a variety of other conservation practices for healthier soils, crops, and community. Attendees in August will learn more about the project and have an opportunity to share their own experiences and questions. Register at forms.gle/ZeM5gsKNtVJWmQQR8.
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.

Managing Vining Cucurbit Pests with Cover Crops
2025-09-03 18:00 - 20:00 | Rose Hill Farm, 7680 Rose Hill Road, Roseville, 43777, United States
Rose Hill Farm is a 125-acre family farm and wildlife habitat in Roseville, Ohio. Their diversified vegetable operation cultivates about 10 acres. They emphasize soil health and use cover crops, no-till and minimal-till practices. This Farmer Exchange will focus on using cover crops as a pest management tool in vining cucurbits such as watermelon, pumpkin, and squash. Other seasonal and perennial crops will also be available to visit and discuss management techniques. Register at forms.gle/e3k92bcSwxaBdFUT8.
Questions: Contact Denise Natoli Brooks at (937) 831-5995 or dbrooks@centralstate.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 at offer.osu.edu/fall-farm-exchanges.

Small Farm Mushroom Production
2025-09-05 10:00 - 12:00 | 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.

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.
