• OEFFA Press Releases

    OEFFA Announces 2024 Award Recipients: Brandt Family Farm, Tom Redfern, Kim Bayer

    The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) has named the 2024 recipients of its Stewardship, Service, and Beginning Farmer awards.   Brandt Family Farm of Fairfield County received the Stewardship Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the cultivation of sustainable agriculture; Tom Redfern of Athens County received the Service Award, which recognizes extraordinary service in support of sustainable agriculture; and Kim Bayer of Ann Arbor, Michigan received the Beginning Farmer Award, which recognizes innovation and commitment to overcome systemic barriers faced by new farmers. These awards were announced February 15-17 as part of OEFFA’s 45th annual conference in Newark, Ohio. For more information on these awards, visit news.oeffa.org/awards. 2024 Stewardship…

  • OEFFA Member Spotlight

    Member Spotlight: Ed Snavely of Curly Tail Organic Farm

    Originally published in the Winter 2024 edition of the OEFFA newsletter. Ed Snavely’s warm greeting was matched by a warmer-than-usual December day. There were few clouds in the sky as we made our way down the long driveway to Curly Tail Organic Farm. Ed pointed out features in the surrounding landscape as we stood chatting in the late fall sunshine. The white barn far in the distance was where he grew up and later worked with his father, a conventional corn and soy farmer. Pioneering a Purer Way of Farming Farming wasn’t always in the cards for Ed. He enjoyed it but didn’t envision a career as a farmer. But…

  • Farm Policy,  OEFFA News

    OEFFA Policy Announces 2024 Film Screening Series

    The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association’s (OEFFA) Policy Program and its generous partners invite you to the 2024 OEFFA Policy Film Screening Series. The series features a curated selection of films that explore the many facets of our food and farming systems. Highlighting global problems and featuring local voices, the series will raise awareness, inspire dialogue, and empower positive change. Following each film (aside from Digging In, at the OEFFA Conference), there will be an expert-led panel discussion to spark conservation and inspire us to work together for policy change. The screenings are free and open to the public (but we encourage you to register). Closed captioning will be…

  • OEFFA Press Releases

    45th Annual Ohio Food and Farm Conference Opens Registration

    Registration is now open for Ohio’s largest sustainable agriculture conference, a three-day event bringing together hundreds of farm and food advocates. The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association’s (OEFFA) 45th annual conference, Cultivating Care, will take place Thursday, February 15 through Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Cherry Valley Hotel and Ohio Event Center in Newark, Ohio. Online registration is now open at conference.oeffa.org. Keynote Speakers Food and Farm School Classes These five full-day classes are intended for in-depth learning: Workshops, Food, Networking, and More A diverse array of workshops, demonstrations, shopping, and more are offered during the conference, including: Conference registration includes access to both the in-person event and to…

  • OEFFA Member Spotlight

    Member Spotlight: Ava Johnson of SE Urban Farm

    Originally published in the Autumn 2023 edition of the OEFFA newsletter. As we arrived on a steamy July afternoon, it was hard to imagine anything different for the church’s backyard. Teeming with abundance, there were overflowing vegetable beds, blooming flowers, and lots of happy bees. But seven years ago, SE Urban Farm looked a lot different. The now-thriving space was made up of layers of plastic and sod. It took a lot of work to get the barren land to where it is now, and the local community is benefitting as a result. Meet Ava Johnson It’s also difficult to wrap one’s head around the fact that this is mostly…

  • Farm Policy,  OEFFA News

    OEFFA Policy Program Transition

    Originally published in the Autumn 2023 edition of the OEFFA newsletter. After nine distinguished years at OEFFA, Policy Director Amalie Lipstreu is leaving to pursue an exciting opportunity with the California Climate and Agriculture Network. Amalie is a visionary leader, a passionate advocate, a generous mentor, and a compassionate friend. The growth in OEFFA’s policy program, our increasing power and influence in the Statehouse and on the Hill, and our expanded capacity to support and uplift farmer leaders are the fruits of her hard work and leadership. She is a true giant of the food and farm movement and OEFFA is grateful for her tremendous contribution to our work and…

  • OEFFA Press Releases

    OEFFA Praises Representative Brown’s Legislation to Support Urban and Innovative Producers

    Yesterday, Reps. Shontel Brown (OH-11) and Alma Adams (NC-12) introduced the Supporting Urban and Innovative Farming Act of 2023. The legislation would build upon the successes of the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production since its launch in 2020. The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) proudly endorses this marker bill and thanks Rep. Brown for her leadership in supporting America’s urban, suburban, and rural producers. The Supporting Urban and Innovative Farming Act will make programmatic reforms to strengthen the content and delivery of technical assistance to urban and innovative producers. It will enable cooperative agreements, increase access to grant funding among farmers, and scale composting and food…

  • OEFFA Press Releases

    Clintonville Farmers Market to Showcase Local Food Systems During National Farmers Market Week

    The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA), in partnership with Common Greens, is celebrating National Farmers Market Week (August 6-12) at the Clintonville Farmers Market this Saturday, August 12. Regional staff for Sen. Sherrod Brown will be in attendance, along with Ohio State Sen. Bill DeMora (OH-25).  As hubs for connection and community resilience, farmers markets are vital to how local residents get together and support the local economy. In recognition of farmers markets and their critical role in the American food supply chain, this week (August 6-12) has been officially proclaimed by Sec. Tom Vilsack as National Farmers Market Week.  “This is a wonderful time to celebrate farm…