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Historic Farm Tour and Biochar Workshop

Evendale, OH 

Saturday, July 9, 2016
10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (workshop), 12:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (tour)

Gorman Heritage Farm is a 122 acre working farm and outdoor education center, inviting visitors to explore and learn the history, methods, and values of a working farm. The farm, purchased in 1835 by Edward Brown, was passed through the Brown family and eventually, through marriage, to the Gormans. In 1943, siblings Jim and Dorothy Gorman took over the property and continued to farm the land, inviting neighbors, particularly children, to learn about food and farming. Today, Gorman Heritage Farm continues that good work. This farm tour will explore the historic property, including the three original buildings: the Farmhouse, Spring House, and Bank Barn. Visit the gardens, explore the farmyard, and meet the farm's friendly animals.

Before the tour, a biochar workshop will cover the history, production methods, and benefits of biochar in sustainable agriculture. A type of charcoal, biochar can be added to soils to improve soil health and plant growth and sequester carbon. The creation and application of biochar is an ancient practice receiving new attention as a method of mitigating climate change while simultaneously improving soil structure, aeration, water retention, and beneficial microbial growth.

The workshop will be broken into three main parts. It will begin with a one hour presentation on the history, production methods, and benefits of biochar. A 45 minute tour of the composting area and market garden to see the application steps will be followed by a 45 minute visit to Gorman's biochar kiln to see how it is produced on-farm. Attendees are encouraged to bring water and a snack, and to wear appropriate shoes and clothes.

Cost and Registration: The farm tour is free and open to the public, but space is limited to 40 people. Pre-registration is required. To register, email kgetz@gormanfarm.org by July 1.The biochar workshop costs $15. Pre-registration is required. Space is limited to 40 people. To register, go to http://www.gormanfarm.org/product/3383/.

This tour is one of 21 farm tours and workshops OEFFA is offering this summer as part of the 2016 Ohio Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop Series. In total, the series features 32 farm tours and 10 educational workshops, offered in partnership with The Ohio State University Extension Sustainable Agriculture Team, Advancing Eco Agriculture, Ashtabula Local Food Council, Columbus Agrarian Society, and Our Harvest Research and Education Institute. All tours and workshops are free and open to the public and do not require pre-registration unless otherwise noted. For more information about the series, go to http://www.oeffa.org/q/2016farmtours.

Gorman Heritage Farm

10052 Reading Rd.
Evendale, OH 45241

Contact:
Eric Pawlowski / (614) 421-2022 /

http://www.oeffa.org/q/2016farmtours

 

OEFFA
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association
41 Croswell Rd.
Columbus OH 43214

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OEFFA: (614) 421-2022
OEFFA Certification: (614) 262-2022
Fax: (614) 421-2011

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