By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent COLUMBUS, Ohio — It’s the 40th anniversary of the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Assoc. (OEFFA), and organizers of this effort wanted to schedule something not only huge but wide-ranging. And have they ever, with their 2019 Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop Series. Farm tours, special events, workshops, and open houses in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan will highlight this year’s event, which officially kicks off June 22. Assisting OEFFA in this effort is The Ohio State University, Arthur Morgan Institute for Community Solutions, Clintonville Farmers’ Market, and the Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance. “This year’s series is unique because we’re offering many special events celebrating our 40th year,” said OEFFA Program Director Renee Hunt. “We have a lot in store, from field to fork meals, a craft beer social, and an open house for members to stop in and get to know our staff a little better. “We invite guests to stroll through organic vegetable fields, learn about pastured livestock production, consider a career in farming, and take advantage of other learning and networking opportunities,” she said. It all begins June 22 in Toledo, at the Sofia Quintero Arts and Cultural Center. visitors will observe raised beds used to grow various pesticide-free vegetables and fruits for use in its community kitchen. On July 5, take a tour of Green Field Farms processing plant, a farmer-owned creamery plant and organic dairy farm located in Fredericksburg. Participants can observe where the pasture-to-produce process begins and can enjoy the bucolic visions of cows on grass while learning about rotational grazing and calf and heifer management. On July 31, attendees can trek to Noble Organic Grains in Wawaka, Ind., to learn about Joel Mecklenburg’s organic transition strategy, organic crop rotation, and markets. Guests will have the chance to see organic seed corn production, double-crop soybeans, and a five-acre hemp seed grain research plot. On Sept. 14, the farm of Brady Kirwin and Amanda Wilson in Hillsboro, Ohio, will show attendees how they started Old Dutch Hops, where they produce pasture-raised poultry, lamb and beef, as well as how they grow a small amount of organic vegetables and hops. Other tours and dates include Bartholomew Farms (August 10, Ottawa Lake, Mich.), Lady Buggs Farm (Sept. 28, Youngstown, Ohio), Dutch Creek Farm (Sept. 28, Athens) and Finch Creek Farms (Oct. 12, Xenia). Workshops are slated for those to explore that dream to farm or simply gain leadership skills. Those wanting to enter farming for the first time should attend the Farm Vision Workshop (June 30, Lancaster, Ohio), Farm Land and Labor Mixer (July 9, Garrettsville), and Heartland Farm Beginnings Training Course (Select Sunders in October, Columbus). OEFFA Ohio member open houses will be held July 20 (Venture Heritage Farm, Wayne County), Oct. 13 (Pastured Providence Farmstead, Ross County), and Nov. 3 (Foraged & Sown, Franklin County). “Farmers sharing knowledge with other farmers has been at the core of our work for four decades,” Hunt said. “This series provides unique on-farm opportunities for growers, educators, and conscientious eaters to learn about sustainable agriculture and local foods from growers and producers with years of practical experience.” For details about each stop, go to www.oeffa.org |
