OEFFA

This 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.

The 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.

The 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.

These 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.

Shady Oaks Farm is a berry and daffodil farm started in 1997 by Chris and Leslie Burdette. Winners of the 2011 Conservation Farm Award for Putnam County, Chris and Leslie have continued to manage their farm using sustainable practices and will be certified organic in 2025. They specialize in organic blueberry container plants, daffodils, and u-pick berries. Blackberries should be ripe just in time for this tour!

These 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.

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. Space is limited and registration is required for this specific event.

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?"

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.