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.

With rich backgrounds in agriculture and food production, each of OEFFA’s educators can answer your questions, including on topics such as:

Soil health, cover crops, and production techniques
Organic transition, certification, and compliance counseling
Resources and funding
USDA programs and education
Organic product and materials sourcing

Together, they are dedicated to serving farmers as a general help desk for questions relating to organic and sustainable agriculture.

To start a conversation today, call (614) 421-2022 or email agricultureeducators@oeffa.org.

Meet OEFFA’s Sustainable Agriculture Educators

John Stock

john@oeffa.org | (614) 947-1610

John has been educating and providing technical support in conservation and sustainable agriculture for more than 25 years. His previous work with Watershed Organic, Snowville Creamery, and United Plant Savers has given him deep hands-on experience in building relationships with farmers and consumers, program development and event planning, providing technical support, and advocating for sustainable practices.

John lives on his farm in Meigs County, Ohio, where he raised his two children and now spends his time growing food, traveling, forest farming medicinal plants, making music, and building, breaking, and fixing things.

Meet with John

Adam Utley

adam@oeffa.org | (614) 725-3162

Adam has worked in sustainable agriculture for a number of years, most recently as the Fair Farms program coordinator at OEFFA. He also served as an organic crop inspector with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, organic produce and floral retail team lead, organic farm strategist, cooperative board member, school garden builder, and outdoor educator.

Adam plays a key role in supporting sustainable agriculture practices and helping farmers transition to organic farming methods. He lives near Cincinnati with his family and a backyard garden.

Meet with Adam

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			0 events 1 0 events, 1	0 events 2 0 events, 2	0 events 3 0 events, 3	0 events 4 0 events, 4
0 events 5 0 events, 5	0 events 6 0 events, 6	1 event 7 1 event, 7 2026-01-07 2026 Ohio State Organic Grains Conference 2026 Ohio State Organic Grains Conference January 7 - January 8 2026 Ohio State Organic Grains Conference The 4th annual Ohio State Organic Grains Conference will be at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Sandusky, Ohio. The conference offers programming for experienced organic growers, growers transitioning to or considering organic, and consultants or educators who support these growers. Registration includes two days of educational programming and opportunities to network with organic farmers in the region, as well as speakers and trade show vendors. Learn more and register at the link below.	1 event 8 1 event, 8 2026-01-07 2026 Ohio State Organic Grains Conference	0 events 9 0 events, 9	1 event 10 1 event, 10 2026-01-10 2026 Organic Intensives 2026 Organic Intensives January 10 2026 Organic Intensives This one-day, in-depth learning experience is an opportunity to acquire practical, detailed information with fellow Michigan farmers and gardeners. They are offering the opportunity to learn from experienced experts and producers in three topic areas: medicinal herbs, home food gardening, and cut flowers. Learn more and register at the link below.	0 events 11 0 events, 11
0 events 12 0 events, 12	0 events 13 0 events, 13	0 events 14 0 events, 14	0 events 15 0 events, 15	1 event 16 1 event, 16 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm Why Are We Losing Organic Farms? January 16 @ 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm Why Are We Losing Organic Farms? Recent years have shown a net decline in certified organic crop and livestock operations, raising important questions about farm viability and the future of the organic sector. Join TOPP partners and the broader organic community on Friday, January 16 for a data-focused virtual session examining who is exiting certification, where these shifts are occurring, and what the available data can—and cannot—tell us about why. Review emerging trends from the Organic Integrity Database (OID), identify key research gaps, and explore how TOPP and policy strategies can help strengthen organic farm retention. Register at the link below.	0 events 17 0 events, 17	0 events 18 0 events, 18
0 events 19 0 events, 19	1 event 20 1 event, 20 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm A Model for Farmland Transition: Farmland Commons January 20 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm A Model for Farmland Transition: Farmland Commons 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.	0 events 21 0 events, 21	0 events 22 0 events, 22	1 event 23 1 event, 23 2026-01-23 2026 OGRAIN Annual Conference 2026 OGRAIN Annual Conference January 23 - January 24 2026 OGRAIN Annual Conference Join OGRAIN for their tenth annual winter event with organic grain farmers, researchers, and industry experts to explore a variety of top-of-mind topics. Two full days of presentations, roundtable discussions, and exhibitions will be held January 23-24, 2026, at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Thursday evening will feature a special session to dive into the future of organic row crops production. Friday evening will include a chance for farmers and buyers to enjoy local, organic food and connect during a buyer/seller mixer. Learn more and register at the link below.	1 event 24 1 event, 24 2026-01-23 2026 OGRAIN Annual Conference	0 events 25 0 events, 25
0 events 26 0 events, 26	0 events 27 0 events, 27	0 events 28 0 events, 28	1 event 29 1 event, 29 2026-01-29 2026 Indiana Farmers Union Annual Meeting 2026 Indiana Farmers Union Annual Meeting January 29 2026 Indiana Farmers Union Annual Meeting Join family farmers and ranchers from across the state in Lafayette, IN, for a day of meaningful fellowship, thoughtful policy conversations, and inspiring speakers. 2025 brought plenty of challenges: a new administration and policy landscape, trade disruptions, rising costs, economic uncertainty, and more. This year's annual meeting is a time to meet the moment, find strength through connection, and prepare for another year of fighting for family agriculture. This event will feature presentations focused on issues facing farmers and rural communities, as well as an opportunity for attendees to network with peers. Farmers Union members will be invited to participate in the policy debate. Learn more and register at the link below.	0 events 30 0 events, 30	0 events 31 0 events, 31

Ask an OEFFA educator

Meet OEFFA’s Sustainable Agriculture Educators

John Stock

Adam Utley

2026 Ohio State Organic Grains Conference

2026 Ohio State Organic Grains Conference

2026 Organic Intensives

Why Are We Losing Organic Farms?

A Model for Farmland Transition: Farmland Commons

2026 OGRAIN Annual Conference

2026 OGRAIN Annual Conference

2026 Indiana Farmers Union Annual Meeting

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