MT. HOPE, OHIO – High quality forages are among the topics for the 2024 Organic Farming Conference. The conference will be Nov. 7-8 at the Mt. Hope Event Center, 8076 SR 241, Mt. Hope, Ohio.

This year, the planning committee focused less on a theme for the conference and more on following the mission statement for the conference, according to Adam Yoder. Yoder operates an organic dairy farm near Charm, milking 35 head of Holsteins.

Yoder is one of five people on the planning committee and is taking his turn as chairman of the committee planning this year’s conference.

“Our mission statement reminds us to take care of the people and the soil,” he said.

Yoder added that they want to encourage farmers to work the land for future generations, and support community life and stewardship that is prosperous and enduring.

“The conference is geared toward people who are in the business of agriculture,” Yoder said. “Agriculture is ever evolving.”

This year’s conference features a mix of speakers in both the production side of agriculture and the business side of agriculture.

“We wanted to bring in executive level speakers to give a business perspective,” said Yoder. “But we also wanted people with an agricultural perspective. We don’t want to lose our culture, but we are running a business and if we lose that, we are done.”

Yoder said the trade show is growing and continues to attract new vendors. A new addition to this year’s conference is a time for sponsor recognition and a chance for vendors to share what they have to offer.

The conference opens Nov. 7 at 8:30 with an overview of the day followed at 8:45 a.m. by a choice of keynote speakers – either Thomas Heckman, on “My Journey to Utilizing High Quality Forages,” or Vernon Hochstetler, “Our 20-plus Years Journey to Establishing a Grass Production Network.”

Heckman and his family operate a 340-acre organic dairy farm in Yorkshire, Ohio. They have 105 purebred Holsteins. Crops include pastures, hay and row crops. Heckman’s farming goal is to produce high quality forages for his dairy herd.

Hochstetler operates Schwarzerde Farm in LaGrange, Ind., where raises and markets broilers and maintains a herd of Murray Greys which provide seed stock for his beef herd. He markets his products through the 7 Brothers Marketing Group. In addition to sharing his experiences in grass production for his beef herd and marketing, he will also discuss genetics and feeding management.

Other morning sessions include a choice of “Why Grass and Dairy Cows Get Along So Well, Even Holsteins” by Jim Gardiner, and “Building Soil Biology” by Troy Hinkle. Hinkle is the owner of Living Roots Compost Tea Co. in Reading, Pa. During his presentation, he will share tips on how to build soil health in farms. Gardiner is an experienced dairy grazier from Otselic, N.Y., and will share the importance of healthy soils for healthy livestock and humans.

Conference participants will have a choice of afternoon sessions, including Hochstetler with his keynote address titled “Marketing for the Benefit of the Consumer” or a panel discussion titled “Letting Go” by Firmen Miller, Pete Miller Jr. and moderator Jerry D Miller. The panel will discuss the benefits of letting others farm differently from what they are used to farming.

The conference also features programs for the Organic Home featuring Soapmaking & Laundry, Farm Kitchen Cheese, Feeding Wild Birds and Household Budgeting, and Raised beds and winter sprouting.

Other afternoon sessions include a discussion on “How Soil Impacts the Health of Livestock and Humans”, by Jim Gardiner, or a panel on “Creating Habitat for Nature” with subjects including vernal pools, purple martins, invasive species, and unusual encounters in nature, moderated by David Kline.

On Nov. 8, sessions begin at 8:45 with a presentation by Ben Ice on “Unlocking Your Farm’s Potential.” Ice owns Ice’s Soil Restoration Inc. out of Ely, Minn. In his business, he works on improving soil health for growing quality food and forages.

Following Ice’s presentation, the morning will conclude with sessions on “Pennies in the Cracks” by Jeff Frank, and “Diversifying the Family Farm” by Jonas Schlabach. Schlabach and his family operate a diversified farm near Charm, Ohio, and have several different enterprises supporting the farm.

Frank is the CEO of Organic Valley and his presentation will focus on applying practical business ideas to improve profitability the farm.

The organic home sessions for the second day include Satisfying Snacks, Dried Flowers and Grasses, Backyard Herb Garden, Creative Sewing: Sweatshirts and Leggings, and Stories from an O.B. Nurse.

Afternoon sessions include a panel discussion on using lean concepts by Joe Miller, John Miller Jr., Daniel Mast, and Leon Wengerd, moderator, and enjoying the backyard orchard by Roy Hershberger.

The deadline for early-bird registrations is Oct. 23. The cost of the conference before Oct. 23 for one day is $25 per person and $35 per person after Oct. 23. The cost of the conference for both days is $40 per person before Oct. 23 and $50 per person after Oct. 23. Registrations may also be made at the door. Children 5 and under are free. The planning committee wants the conference to be family-friendly with a room available for mothers to feed or tuck their babies down for naps, with sleeping cribs and rocking chairs are included.

The conference fee includes meals, breaks, registration, and the vendor show.  Checks should be made payable to the Organic Farming Conference and mailed to 5119 Township Road 613, Fredericksburg, Ohio 44627. For more information, contact Adam Yoder at 330-231-4226 or 234-286-1436 or e-mail info@organicfarmingconf.com or visit their website at www.organicfarmingconf.com. Lodging is available at Sleep Inn in Mt. Hope (330-294-9977) or Comfort Suites in Berlin (330-893-7400). Mention the organic conference for a special discount.