OEFFA Athens Chapter Meeting: Fracking and Water Testing
Athens, OH
Sunday, February 5, 2012
6 p.m.
Are you concerned with the effects fracking may have on your ground water? Water is one of the essential elements to farming and local food. Please join our chapter for a presentation on baseline water testing followed by a discussion on our Athens Area Chapter stance. This issue has come knocking on our front door. Collectively, we must understand the steps needed to ensure that we provide safe and healthy food to our neighbors.
Monte Edward of Analytical Associates will give a presentation on baseline testing. His company specializes in pre-drilling water quality testing. Currently, Mr. Edward is working in collaboration with OU's Voinovich School collecting baseline water quality measures, as well as testing individual landowners' water. His presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.
The second part of the meeting will be an open discussion on our Athens area and how we want to move forward with the issue. Rich Tomsu, a dedicated OEFFA member and farmer, will present a couple of resolutions. We are asking for YOUR input. We understand that this issue could not only effect farmers and food producers in the region, but locavores as well.
Monte Edward of Analytical Associates will give a presentation on baseline testing. His company specializes in pre-drilling water quality testing. Currently, Mr. Edward is working in collaboration with OU's Voinovich School collecting baseline water quality measures, as well as testing individual landowners' water. His presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.
The second part of the meeting will be an open discussion on our Athens area and how we want to move forward with the issue. Rich Tomsu, a dedicated OEFFA member and farmer, will present a couple of resolutions. We are asking for YOUR input. We understand that this issue could not only effect farmers and food producers in the region, but locavores as well.
Athens County - OSU Extension Office
Contact:
Angie Starline / 740-517-1032 / 
OSU Extension Cover Crops Workshop
Williamsfield,OH
Monday, February 6, 2012
10:00am to 3:30pm
Join OSU Extension as we explore the use of cover crops in Northeast Ohio. Attend this session to learn how the use of forage turnips, field peas, oilseed radish, clovers and rye (and other crops) can be used to improve soil quality, reduce soil erosion, increase fertility, suppress weeds and control insects. Every cover crop species has its own niche and attributes for agricultural production. A wrong combination of cover crops may exert negative attributes, so a thorough understanding of cover crops selection and management is needed to minimize negative outcomes. Learn about the biology of soil compaction, sustainable crop rotations, nutrient recycling with cover crops, and homegrown nitrogen. Learn practical recommendations for planting and managing cover crops and learn about Ohio research on cover crops. This workshop will feature Jim Hoorman, Alan Sundermeier & Florian Chirra from OSU Extension who are Ohio’s leading authorities on cover crop management.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.
As always, a hearty farmer lunch prepared by Lahti Catering means you will not go away hungry! Registration fee is $15/per person. Registration includes morning refreshments, lunch, speaker travel expenses, and program handouts. Pre-registration is required by January 31, 2012 to guarantee a lunch. Make checks payable to OSU Extension, Ashtabula County and mail to 39 Wall Street, Jefferson, OH 44047. If you have any questions please call 440-576-9008. CCA Credits have been applied for and will be made available to crop advisors attending this meeting. Participants can also purchase the Managing Cover Crops Profitably for an additional $20. This 244 page book is the premier cover crops book.
Sponsored by the OSU Extension offices in northeast Ohio
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.
As always, a hearty farmer lunch prepared by Lahti Catering means you will not go away hungry! Registration fee is $15/per person. Registration includes morning refreshments, lunch, speaker travel expenses, and program handouts. Pre-registration is required by January 31, 2012 to guarantee a lunch. Make checks payable to OSU Extension, Ashtabula County and mail to 39 Wall Street, Jefferson, OH 44047. If you have any questions please call 440-576-9008. CCA Credits have been applied for and will be made available to crop advisors attending this meeting. Participants can also purchase the Managing Cover Crops Profitably for an additional $20. This 244 page book is the premier cover crops book.
Sponsored by the OSU Extension offices in northeast Ohio
Williamsfield Community Center
St Rt 322,Williamsfield,OH 44093
Contact:
/ 440-576-9008
http://ashtabula.osu.edu/topics/agriculture-and-natural-resources/program-files-pdf/2012CoverCropsWo
Market Ready Training Session
Youngstown, OH
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
9:00am- 4:30pm
MarketReady is a comprehensive educational program that prepares food producers to sell directly to consumers and wholesale buyers. The Ohio MarketReady Team provides professional education to improve marketing planning and marketing relationships.
The cost to attend is $75/person and $25 for each additional person from the same business.
The cost to attend is $75/person and $25 for each additional person from the same business.
Youngstown Food Hub
901 Elm Street Youngstown
Contact:
Julie Moose / 740-289-2071 ext. 22 /
Brix Workshop
Wooster, OH
Thursday, February 9, 2012
1:00pm-3:00pm
Farmers and others need a simple, quick, inexpensive and reliable method
to measure properties related to fruit and vegetable flavor. Measuring Brix
may be the best approach. Brix values estimate the sugar content in
produce and, often, its sweetness when eaten. Brix can be measured
reliably nearly anywhere and in just a few minutes and with few tools.
However, the correct procedure must be followed and experience is needed
in making proper use of the values obtained.
OSU-OARDC horticulturalists will host a FREE workshop on measuring and
using Brix values in vegetable crops. Join them on February 9 at the OARDC
in Wooster (Fisher Auditorium, South Exhibit Area) to learn more about Brix in your business.
The workshop will focus on measuring, interpreting and using Brix values,
especially from the farmer’s perspective. Pre-registration is strongly
encouraged. And, participants are invited to bring their personal
refractometer, if available.
Brix and other vegetable production information are featured at the Vegetable Production Systems Laboratory website (http://hcs.osu.edu/vpslab/) and Facebook.
to measure properties related to fruit and vegetable flavor. Measuring Brix
may be the best approach. Brix values estimate the sugar content in
produce and, often, its sweetness when eaten. Brix can be measured
reliably nearly anywhere and in just a few minutes and with few tools.
However, the correct procedure must be followed and experience is needed
in making proper use of the values obtained.
OSU-OARDC horticulturalists will host a FREE workshop on measuring and
using Brix values in vegetable crops. Join them on February 9 at the OARDC
in Wooster (Fisher Auditorium, South Exhibit Area) to learn more about Brix in your business.
The workshop will focus on measuring, interpreting and using Brix values,
especially from the farmer’s perspective. Pre-registration is strongly
encouraged. And, participants are invited to bring their personal
refractometer, if available.
Brix and other vegetable production information are featured at the Vegetable Production Systems Laboratory website (http://hcs.osu.edu/vpslab/) and Facebook.
OSU- OARDC
1680 Madison Avenue Wooster, OH 44691
Contact:
Danae Wolfe / 330-202-3555 /
Introduction to Permaculture
Cincinnati, OH
Friday, February 10, 2012 through Sunday, February 12, 2012
Friday 6-9pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am – 6pm.
I'm very pleased to share with you all that I will be teaching a 3 credit hour Introduction to Permaculture through the Horticulture Department in the College of DAAP at the University of Cincinnati this coming winter quarter on the weekend of February 10th-12th. Also, if you register for this course and would like to get certified in our Winter Permaculture Design Certification through This-Land.org we will be offering a discount to the students of this course. To learn more please visit OMValleyPermaculture.com
Horticulture Department in the College of DAAP at the University of Cincinnati
Contact:
Braden Trauth / 513-569-2579 /
New Directions for Suburban Gardens
Worthington, OH
Thursday, February 16, 2012
7-9 pm
Don't miss the planting time! Don Humphrey, lifelong gardener and Worthington resident, will discuss how, through intensive gardening, you can grow a wide variety of vegetables for nine months of the year.
The Worthington Garden Club, in cooperation with the Griswold Center, with promotional support from the Worthington Libraries, is presenting another excellent series of FREE seminars. This six-part series will challenge your concept of suburban gardening. Learn more about beekeeping, urban farming, growing not-usually-found-at-the-nursery plants, the benefits of using native plants, intensive vegetable growing and spring flowers.
The Worthington Garden Club, in cooperation with the Griswold Center, with promotional support from the Worthington Libraries, is presenting another excellent series of FREE seminars. This six-part series will challenge your concept of suburban gardening. Learn more about beekeeping, urban farming, growing not-usually-found-at-the-nursery plants, the benefits of using native plants, intensive vegetable growing and spring flowers.
Griswold Center
777 High Street
Contact:
Worthington Garden Club / 614-842-6320
http://www.worthingtonlibraries.org/calendar/2011-10-20/new-directions-suburban-gardens
OEFFA Pre-Conference
Granville, OH
Friday, February 17, 2012
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Two on-site pre-conference events will be featured as part of OEFFA's 33rd annual conference. Both pre-conference events take place on February 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The first, “Slow Money for Ohio? Financing the Local Food System,” will feature Slow Money Alliance founder and chairman Woody Tasch and a panel of experts, to talk about Slow Money, the challenges of capitalizing the local food economy, and successful strategies to nurture sustainable food systems and businesses.
The second pre-conference event, “No Till, No Drill, No Problem: Integrating No-Till Methods into Organic Production Systems,” will feature Jeff Moyer, director of farm operations at the Rodale Institute, to discuss practical ways to build soil fertility and tilth, suppress weeds, and manage cover crop rotations, to increase production.
Registration will open in mid-December. More information will be available soon at http://www.oeffa.org/conference2012.php.
The first, “Slow Money for Ohio? Financing the Local Food System,” will feature Slow Money Alliance founder and chairman Woody Tasch and a panel of experts, to talk about Slow Money, the challenges of capitalizing the local food economy, and successful strategies to nurture sustainable food systems and businesses.
The second pre-conference event, “No Till, No Drill, No Problem: Integrating No-Till Methods into Organic Production Systems,” will feature Jeff Moyer, director of farm operations at the Rodale Institute, to discuss practical ways to build soil fertility and tilth, suppress weeds, and manage cover crop rotations, to increase production.
Registration will open in mid-December. More information will be available soon at http://www.oeffa.org/conference2012.php.
Granville High School and Middle School
248 New Burg St, Granville, OH
Contact:
Renee Hunt / 614-421-2022 x 205 /
OEFFA's 33rd Annual Conference
Sowing the Seeds of Our Food Sovereignty
Saturday, February 18, 2012 through Sunday, February 19, 2012
The Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association’s (OEFFA) 33rd annual conference, Sowing the Seeds of Our Food Sovereignty, will take place February 18-19, 2012 in Granville, Ohio.
The state’s largest sustainable food and farm conference, the event draws more than 1,000 attendees from across Ohio and the Midwest, and has sold out in advance the past two years. This year’s conference will feature keynote speakers Woody Tasch and Andrew Kimbrell; more than 70 informative, hands-on workshops; two featured pre-conference events on February 17; a trade show; a fun and educational kids’ conference and child care area; locally-sourced and organic homemade meals, and Saturday evening entertainment.
Keynote Speakers
Saturday’s keynote lecture titled, “Slow Money: Investing as if Food, Farms, and Fertility Matter,” will be provided by Woody Tasch. Tasch is the chairman of the Slow Money Alliance and inspired the Slow Money movement by writing Inquiries into the Nature of Slow Money: Investing as if Food, Farms, and Fertility Mattered.
The Slow Money Alliance advocates for sustainable financial investments that support local, community-based food and farm businesses. So far, $4.5 million has been invested in 16 small food enterprises through Slow Money’s national gatherings. In the last year, $5 million more has been invested through Slow Money chapters.
For 10 years, Tasch was chairman of Investors’ Circle, which has invested $133 million in 200 early stage sustainability businesses since 1992. Tasch also served as treasurer of the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation where, as part of an innovative mission-related venture capital program, a substantial investment was made in Stonyfield Farm, now the world’s largest maker of organic yogurt.
Sunday’s keynote lecture titled, “The Future of Food,” will be provided by Andrew Kimbrell. Kimbrell is one of the country’s leading environmental attorneys and the founder and executive director of the Center for Food Safety (CFS) and the International Center for Technology Assessment (CTA). The Center for Food Safety pursues public education, policy advocacy, and legal actions to curtail industrial agricultural production methods that harm human health and the environment, including genetic engineering.
Kimbrell is author of 101 Ways to Help Save the Earth, The Human Body Shop: The Engineering and Marketing of Life, Your Right to Know: Genetic Engineering and the Secret Changes in Your Food and general editor of Fatal Harvest: The Tragedy of Industrial Agriculture. His articles have appeared in numerous law reviews, technology journals, magazines, and newspapers across the country, and he has been featured in documentary films, including “The Future of Food.” In 1994, Utne Reader named Kimbrell one of the world’s leading 100 visionaries. In 2007, he was named one of the 50 people most likely to save the planet by The Guardian-U.K.
Workshops
The conference will also feature more than 70 hands-on, educational workshops and cooking demonstrations with topics including: bramble and strawberry production; no-till farming; edible landscaping; pest management; compost; pork, beef, and lamb production; poultry nutrition; food preservation; food safety; social investing; farm and business planning; renewable energy; mushroom production; season extension; mulch; cover crops; aquaculture; dairy health; recordkeeping; Farm Bill policy; co-ops; small space gardening; companion planting; organic certification; fiber production; permaculture; tax planning; genetic engineering; field crops; grassroots organizing; conservation funding; cheesemaking, and more.
In addition, the conference will offer a three part series of workshops about high volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF), commonly known as “fracking,” which is an intensive extraction process that uses a high pressure chemical cocktail to fracture rock to release natural gas. The workshops are designed to educate farmers, landowners, and concerned citizens about the environmental and social risks of this process, existing laws and regulations, and what actions can be taken by landowners and community organizers.
The conference will also offer the following featured conference guests:
- Jeff Moyer, the director of farm operations at the Rodale Institute and an expert on organic crop production, will discuss no-till organic farming, utilizing cover crops to enhance soil fertility, and effective compost management.
- Gary Zimmer, farmer, author, educator, and president of Midwestern Bio-Ag, will discuss nutritional considerations for pasture-based dairy operations.
- Dan Ravicher, a patent law professor and executive director of the Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT), will provide an update on a federal lawsuit against Monsanto which seeks preemptive court protection for farmers who may be accused of patent infringement if they become contaminated by Monsanto's genetically engineered seed.
Pre-Conference Events
Two on-site pre-conference events will also be featured on February 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The first, “Slow Money for Ohio? Financing the Local Food System,” will feature Slow Money Alliance founder and chairman Woody Tasch and a panel of experts, to talk about Slow Money, the challenges of capitalizing the local food economy, and successful strategies to nurture sustainable food systems and businesses.
The second pre-conference event, “No Till, No Drill, No Problem: Integrating No-Till Methods into Organic Production Systems,” will feature Jeff Moyer, director of farm operations at the Rodale Institute, to discuss practical ways to build soil fertility and tilth, suppress weeds, and manage cover crop rotations, to increase production.
Additional Features
The conference will also feature a kid’s conference offering a variety of exciting workshops for children ages 6-12; a playroom for children under 6; a book signing by Woody Tasch and The Contrary Farmer, Gene Logsdon; an exhibit hall offering an interesting array of information, products, services and resources that relate to sustainable agriculture; a raffle; a non-denominational Sunday service; and Saturday evening entertainment, including a performance by The Back Porch Swing Band and a film screening and discussion of The Greenhorns.
Our Sponsors
OEFFA’s 33rd annual conference is being sponsored by Chipotle Mexican Grill, Northstar Café, Organic Valley/CROPP, Granville Exempted Village Schools, Mustard Seed Market, Whole Foods Market Dublin, Snowville Creamery, Canal Junction Farmstead Cheese, Casa Nueva, Earthineer, Earth Tools, Green B.E.A.N. Delivery, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, Lucky Cat Bakery, Midwest Bio-Ag, Ohio Earth Food, OEFFA Grain Growers Chapter, Stonyfield Farm, Whole Hog BBQ, Andelain Fields, C-TEC, Curly Tail Organic Farm, DNO Produce, Eden Foods, King Family Farm, Luna Burger, Marshy Meadows Farm, Mrs. Miller’s Homemade Noodles, Rodale Institute, Swainway Farms, Bad Dog Acres, Bexley Natural Market, Blue Jacket Dairy, Bluebird Farm, Crumbs Bakery, Equine Veterinary Dental Services, Flying J Farm, Glad Annie’s Old World Baklava, Green Fields Farm, Hartzler Family Dairy, The Hills Market, Hirzel Farms/ Dei Fratelli, Kitchen Basics, Leo Dick and Sons, Locust Run Farm, OSU School of Environment and Natural Resources Social Responsibility Initiative, Phoenix Organics, Shagbark Mill, Schmidt Family Farms, Stan Evans Bakery, and Wayward Seed Farm.
Conference Registration
Registration will open in mid-December. More information, including maps, directions, workshop descriptions, speakers, and a schedule will be available soon at http://www.oeffa.org/conference2012.php.
The state’s largest sustainable food and farm conference, the event draws more than 1,000 attendees from across Ohio and the Midwest, and has sold out in advance the past two years. This year’s conference will feature keynote speakers Woody Tasch and Andrew Kimbrell; more than 70 informative, hands-on workshops; two featured pre-conference events on February 17; a trade show; a fun and educational kids’ conference and child care area; locally-sourced and organic homemade meals, and Saturday evening entertainment.
Keynote Speakers
Saturday’s keynote lecture titled, “Slow Money: Investing as if Food, Farms, and Fertility Matter,” will be provided by Woody Tasch. Tasch is the chairman of the Slow Money Alliance and inspired the Slow Money movement by writing Inquiries into the Nature of Slow Money: Investing as if Food, Farms, and Fertility Mattered.
The Slow Money Alliance advocates for sustainable financial investments that support local, community-based food and farm businesses. So far, $4.5 million has been invested in 16 small food enterprises through Slow Money’s national gatherings. In the last year, $5 million more has been invested through Slow Money chapters.
For 10 years, Tasch was chairman of Investors’ Circle, which has invested $133 million in 200 early stage sustainability businesses since 1992. Tasch also served as treasurer of the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation where, as part of an innovative mission-related venture capital program, a substantial investment was made in Stonyfield Farm, now the world’s largest maker of organic yogurt.
Sunday’s keynote lecture titled, “The Future of Food,” will be provided by Andrew Kimbrell. Kimbrell is one of the country’s leading environmental attorneys and the founder and executive director of the Center for Food Safety (CFS) and the International Center for Technology Assessment (CTA). The Center for Food Safety pursues public education, policy advocacy, and legal actions to curtail industrial agricultural production methods that harm human health and the environment, including genetic engineering.
Kimbrell is author of 101 Ways to Help Save the Earth, The Human Body Shop: The Engineering and Marketing of Life, Your Right to Know: Genetic Engineering and the Secret Changes in Your Food and general editor of Fatal Harvest: The Tragedy of Industrial Agriculture. His articles have appeared in numerous law reviews, technology journals, magazines, and newspapers across the country, and he has been featured in documentary films, including “The Future of Food.” In 1994, Utne Reader named Kimbrell one of the world’s leading 100 visionaries. In 2007, he was named one of the 50 people most likely to save the planet by The Guardian-U.K.
Workshops
The conference will also feature more than 70 hands-on, educational workshops and cooking demonstrations with topics including: bramble and strawberry production; no-till farming; edible landscaping; pest management; compost; pork, beef, and lamb production; poultry nutrition; food preservation; food safety; social investing; farm and business planning; renewable energy; mushroom production; season extension; mulch; cover crops; aquaculture; dairy health; recordkeeping; Farm Bill policy; co-ops; small space gardening; companion planting; organic certification; fiber production; permaculture; tax planning; genetic engineering; field crops; grassroots organizing; conservation funding; cheesemaking, and more.
In addition, the conference will offer a three part series of workshops about high volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF), commonly known as “fracking,” which is an intensive extraction process that uses a high pressure chemical cocktail to fracture rock to release natural gas. The workshops are designed to educate farmers, landowners, and concerned citizens about the environmental and social risks of this process, existing laws and regulations, and what actions can be taken by landowners and community organizers.
The conference will also offer the following featured conference guests:
- Jeff Moyer, the director of farm operations at the Rodale Institute and an expert on organic crop production, will discuss no-till organic farming, utilizing cover crops to enhance soil fertility, and effective compost management.
- Gary Zimmer, farmer, author, educator, and president of Midwestern Bio-Ag, will discuss nutritional considerations for pasture-based dairy operations.
- Dan Ravicher, a patent law professor and executive director of the Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT), will provide an update on a federal lawsuit against Monsanto which seeks preemptive court protection for farmers who may be accused of patent infringement if they become contaminated by Monsanto's genetically engineered seed.
Pre-Conference Events
Two on-site pre-conference events will also be featured on February 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The first, “Slow Money for Ohio? Financing the Local Food System,” will feature Slow Money Alliance founder and chairman Woody Tasch and a panel of experts, to talk about Slow Money, the challenges of capitalizing the local food economy, and successful strategies to nurture sustainable food systems and businesses.
The second pre-conference event, “No Till, No Drill, No Problem: Integrating No-Till Methods into Organic Production Systems,” will feature Jeff Moyer, director of farm operations at the Rodale Institute, to discuss practical ways to build soil fertility and tilth, suppress weeds, and manage cover crop rotations, to increase production.
Additional Features
The conference will also feature a kid’s conference offering a variety of exciting workshops for children ages 6-12; a playroom for children under 6; a book signing by Woody Tasch and The Contrary Farmer, Gene Logsdon; an exhibit hall offering an interesting array of information, products, services and resources that relate to sustainable agriculture; a raffle; a non-denominational Sunday service; and Saturday evening entertainment, including a performance by The Back Porch Swing Band and a film screening and discussion of The Greenhorns.
Our Sponsors
OEFFA’s 33rd annual conference is being sponsored by Chipotle Mexican Grill, Northstar Café, Organic Valley/CROPP, Granville Exempted Village Schools, Mustard Seed Market, Whole Foods Market Dublin, Snowville Creamery, Canal Junction Farmstead Cheese, Casa Nueva, Earthineer, Earth Tools, Green B.E.A.N. Delivery, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, Lucky Cat Bakery, Midwest Bio-Ag, Ohio Earth Food, OEFFA Grain Growers Chapter, Stonyfield Farm, Whole Hog BBQ, Andelain Fields, C-TEC, Curly Tail Organic Farm, DNO Produce, Eden Foods, King Family Farm, Luna Burger, Marshy Meadows Farm, Mrs. Miller’s Homemade Noodles, Rodale Institute, Swainway Farms, Bad Dog Acres, Bexley Natural Market, Blue Jacket Dairy, Bluebird Farm, Crumbs Bakery, Equine Veterinary Dental Services, Flying J Farm, Glad Annie’s Old World Baklava, Green Fields Farm, Hartzler Family Dairy, The Hills Market, Hirzel Farms/ Dei Fratelli, Kitchen Basics, Leo Dick and Sons, Locust Run Farm, OSU School of Environment and Natural Resources Social Responsibility Initiative, Phoenix Organics, Shagbark Mill, Schmidt Family Farms, Stan Evans Bakery, and Wayward Seed Farm.
Conference Registration
Registration will open in mid-December. More information, including maps, directions, workshop descriptions, speakers, and a schedule will be available soon at http://www.oeffa.org/conference2012.php.
Granville, OH
Contact:
Renee Hunt / (614) 421-2022 /
Conservation+ Community: Together 4 Life
Columbus, OH
Monday, February 27, 2012 through Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Save the date!
Organized by the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation District (OFSWCD), a non-profit organization representing Ohio’s 440 SWCD Board Supervisors, the Ohio Association of Soil and Water Conservation District Employees, representing Ohio’s 500+ SWCD staff, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Soil and Water Resources.
Organized by the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation District (OFSWCD), a non-profit organization representing Ohio’s 440 SWCD Board Supervisors, the Ohio Association of Soil and Water Conservation District Employees, representing Ohio’s 500+ SWCD staff, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Soil and Water Resources.
Hyatt Regency
Columbus, OH
Contact:
Mindy Bankey /
Effective Cover Cropping Systems for Specialty Crop Farms
Free Online Webinar
Friday, March 9, 2012
1 p.m.
Countryside Conservancy and the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) are offering a series of free webinars designed for specialty crop growers. There is no charge to participate, but pre-registration is required.
Steve Groff will be presenting this second webinar, “Effective Cover Cropping Systems for Specialty Crop Farms. ” He will discuss the effectiveness of tillage radish as an annual cover crop alternative. A passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture, including soil conservation, soil health, and food quality, Groff began using no-till practices in the early 1980s. He later began using cover crops as another soil conservation measure, improving his technique over time to plant specific cover crops based on what will be planted the following year. Some of his fields have not been touched by any tillage equipment for over 30 years!
To register, go to https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/468533342.
Partial funding for this webinar series is provided through a grant from the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the State of Ohio, and the United States Department of Agriculture under the provisions of the Specialty Crop Block Grant.
Steve Groff will be presenting this second webinar, “Effective Cover Cropping Systems for Specialty Crop Farms. ” He will discuss the effectiveness of tillage radish as an annual cover crop alternative. A passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture, including soil conservation, soil health, and food quality, Groff began using no-till practices in the early 1980s. He later began using cover crops as another soil conservation measure, improving his technique over time to plant specific cover crops based on what will be planted the following year. Some of his fields have not been touched by any tillage equipment for over 30 years!
To register, go to https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/468533342.
Partial funding for this webinar series is provided through a grant from the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the State of Ohio, and the United States Department of Agriculture under the provisions of the Specialty Crop Block Grant.
Contact:
Rebecca Cole / (330) 657-2542 /
Michelle Gregg / (614) 421-2022 /
2012 SW Ohio Small Farm Conference and Trade Show
Wilmington, OH
Friday, March 9, 2012 through Saturday, March 10, 2012
Ohio State University Small Farm Program announces the SW Ohio Small Farm Conference, which will include 30-40 different seminars taught by Extension professionals and industry leaders focusing in the areas of:
- Aquaculture
- Farm Management, Forages & Pasture
- Livestock - exotic & traditional
- Natural Resources
- Horticulture - fruits & vegetables
- Organic Production
A tradeshow representing the many industries servicing small farms will be present throughout the events.
- Aquaculture
- Farm Management, Forages & Pasture
- Livestock - exotic & traditional
- Natural Resources
- Horticulture - fruits & vegetables
- Organic Production
A tradeshow representing the many industries servicing small farms will be present throughout the events.
Wilmington College
Wilmington, OH
Contact:
/ 937-382-0901 /
http://clinton.osu.edu/events/2012-small-farm-conference-and-trade-show
2012 Ohio Farmers' Market Conference
Columbus, OH
Friday, March 9, 2012 through Saturday, March 10, 2012
Save the date and visit the Growing! Ohio Farmers Market website for future details.
Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center
2201 Fred Taylor Drive, OSU, Columbus, OH
Contact:
Southwest Ohio Small Farm Conference and Trade Show
Wilmington, OH
Friday, March 9, 2012 through Saturday, March 10, 2012
Ohio State University Extension and Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center experts are some of the speakers; Ohio State's Small Farm Program is the sponsor.
Wilmington College
1870 Quaker Way
Contact:
/ 937-382-0901, ext. 1 /
New Directions for Suburban Gardens
Worthington, OH
Thursday, March 15, 2012
7-9 pm
Welcome the arrival of spring wild flowers, a sure cure for the winter blues, as Sue Stevens talks about the principles of shade gardening.
The Worthington Garden Club, in cooperation with the Griswold Center, with promotional support from the Worthington Libraries, is presenting another excellent series of FREE seminars. This six-part series will challenge your concept of suburban gardening. Learn more about beekeeping, urban farming, growing not-usually-found-at-the-nursery plants, the benefits of using native plants, intensive vegetable growing and spring flowers.
The Worthington Garden Club, in cooperation with the Griswold Center, with promotional support from the Worthington Libraries, is presenting another excellent series of FREE seminars. This six-part series will challenge your concept of suburban gardening. Learn more about beekeeping, urban farming, growing not-usually-found-at-the-nursery plants, the benefits of using native plants, intensive vegetable growing and spring flowers.
Griswold Center
777 High Street
Contact:
Worthington Garden Club / 614-842-6320
http://www.worthingtonlibraries.org/calendar/2011-10-20/new-directions-suburban-gardens
Ohio Compost Operator Education Course
Wooster, OH
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 through Thursday, March 22, 2012
The course is designed to combine the research and engineering knowledge of OSU scientists with the experience of Ohio composters to provide a certificate program on the science and art of composting. The intensive 2-day course provides participants with a practical understanding of the composting process and the means to address operational issues involved in the production of compost at large scale facilities.
Registration is $175 for Organics Recycling Association of Ohio members and $225 for non-members. For more information and to register, visit the OSU link below.
Registration is $175 for Organics Recycling Association of Ohio members and $225 for non-members. For more information and to register, visit the OSU link below.
Shisler Center, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center
1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH 44691
Contact:
Mary Wicks / (330) 202-3533 /
http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/ocamm/images/CompCourse12.pdf
Eight Day Permaculture Design Certificate Course
Athens, OH
Sunday, March 18, 2012 through Sunday, March 25, 2012
Join Wayne Weismen and the Permaculture Project for a week-long ecological design immersion.
Sponsored by Solid Ground Farm, Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association, Sand Ridge B and B, and Deep Garden Design.
Explore the concepts, theories, and practice of Permaculture design. Experience Permaculture applied directly to the Midwest, as you live and learn with practicing ecological designers on Solid Ground Farm. Discover the interrelations of natural building, sustainable agriculture, biomimicry, broad-scale site design, local economies, local ecosystems, earthworks and waterways. Sure to be an exciting week of on-site projects, lectures, special guest teachers, site walks around the area, and fun nightly activities from African drumming lessons, to Capoeira and yoga classes. Come join the fun.
Cost: $800-$1000 (sliding scale) base fee includes space for onsite camping, three meals a day, textbook and access to online resources, and a certificate from The Permaculture Project, LLC.
For offsite accommodations please contact us.
Pre-registration required.
Register by sending a check written out to RAW (along with your name, address, phone number and email) to Solid Ground Farm, 13262 Liars Corner Rd, Millfield, Ohio 45761.
Sponsored by Solid Ground Farm, Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association, Sand Ridge B and B, and Deep Garden Design.
Explore the concepts, theories, and practice of Permaculture design. Experience Permaculture applied directly to the Midwest, as you live and learn with practicing ecological designers on Solid Ground Farm. Discover the interrelations of natural building, sustainable agriculture, biomimicry, broad-scale site design, local economies, local ecosystems, earthworks and waterways. Sure to be an exciting week of on-site projects, lectures, special guest teachers, site walks around the area, and fun nightly activities from African drumming lessons, to Capoeira and yoga classes. Come join the fun.
Cost: $800-$1000 (sliding scale) base fee includes space for onsite camping, three meals a day, textbook and access to online resources, and a certificate from The Permaculture Project, LLC.
For offsite accommodations please contact us.
Pre-registration required.
Register by sending a check written out to RAW (along with your name, address, phone number and email) to Solid Ground Farm, 13262 Liars Corner Rd, Millfield, Ohio 45761.
Solid Ground Farm
13262 Liars Corner Rd, Millfield, Ohio 45761
Contact:
Weston Lombard / 740-856-6299 /
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association
41 Croswell Rd.
Columbus OH 43214
Phone: 614.421.2022 Fax: 614.421.2011
