• On-Farm Organic Vegetable Trials 2025 Working Group Meeting: OOFRN August Meeting

    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.  

  • Manure Science Review

    Molly Caren Agricultural Center 135 State Route 38 NE, London, 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.

    $25
  • Organic Weed Control Field Day for Row Crops

    Bishop Family Farms 6362 Township Highway 80, Mt. Blanchard, 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  

    $20
  • Ohio-Pennsylvania No-Till Field Day

    Myron Wehr Farm 45404 State Route 46, New Waterford, 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.

  • Crop and Livestock Integration Field Day

    Down Home Farms 7230 Medford Road, Versailles, United States

    Greg McGlinch raises poultry and hogs, along with corn, soybeans, oats, clover, and rye on his 450-acre farm. He is one of 31 on-farm research partners focusing on the economic and environmental tradeoffs of crop and livestock integration for the last two years. Hear from project participants and the host about the approaches they have taken to crop and livestock integration, and discuss soil health and other outcomes from both farmer and researcher perspectives. *Please note this event was originally published as happening on Sunday, August 25. Wednesday, August 28 is the corrected date.

  • Powdery Mildew: On-Farm Research Trials and Tribulations

    Zoom

    The Organic Farmer Researcher Network's September speaker will be grower and small business owner Donnetta Boykin of Endigos Herbals & Organics in Dayton. She will speak about her on-farm research on powdery mildew control alternatives–a timely topic for many of us growing squash this time of year! With the help of a SARE Farmer Rancher grant, Donee compared the effectiveness, cost, and yield impacts of several organic powdery mildew control products. Learn more and register at the link below.

  • Turning Dirt into Healthy Soil

    Matt Burkholder Farm 6720 Stewart Road, Lima, United States

    Rick Clark, a prominent organic no-till farmer in Indiana, will describe his operation, including the economics. Brent Nicol from The Nature Conservancy will discuss different methods of testing your soil. Rainfall Simulator and infiltration ring demos will show the value of good soil health. And learn how healthy soil contributes to healthy people with Dani Kusner. Learn more and register at the link below.

  • Contemporary Differences in U.S. Farm Financial Performance By Race: Does Farm Size Matter?

    Zoom

    What are the similarities and differences across farms operated by producers of different races? This talk—part of the 2024 CFAES DEI Speaker Series—examines whether farm financial performance differs among farms operated by White, Black, and Native American producers. Black and Native American farmers, in particular, have struggled to hold on to farmland over the last century. The talk will explore the historical context in which these farms operate and highlight observed racial differences in performance for farms that engage in beef cattle production, an industry in which a large share of Black and Native American producers specialize. The findings will be placed in the broader context of other work examining socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. About the speaker: Dr. LaPorchia Collins is a research agricultural economist in the Market and Trade Economics Division for the USDA, Economic Research Service (ERS). At ERS, she examines issues affecting the U.S. livestock, dairy, and poultry industries. Her research covers topics related to food security, inequality, and the environment. Prior to joining ERS, Dr. Collins served as a Professor of Practice and Director of Undergraduate Studies in Economics at Tulane University. Her research has been published in high-impact, applied economic and interdisciplinary journals such as The American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Applied Economics Perspectives and Policy, Empirical Economics, and Applied Geography, among others. She earned her doctoral degree in agricultural, environmental, and development economics from The Ohio State University and bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from Southern University and A&M College.

  • Ohio State West Fest: West Campus Science & Sustainability Festival

    Ohio State University 1059 Carmack Road, Columbus, United States

    In its 8th year, this event features interactive STEM-related activities at various booths and behind-the-scenes tours of Ohio State research facilities, along with food trucks, prizes, and other fun family activities. Visit u.osu.edu/stemimpact/westfest for more information, including event sites and parking options.