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Event Calendar

COVID-19 UPDATE:

The events listed here may be cancelled or otherwise affected by coronavirus. We cannot confirm the accuracy of the events listed here. Please contact event hosts to confirm all meetings in advance.

Online 

Thursday, October 5, 2023 through Thursday, December 14, 2023
6:30-8 p.m.

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Bronzeville Agricademy is a free, creative format of online classroom instruction, production tours, and mentoring to promote a plant-based diet. It will meet weekly online from October 5 to December 14, 6:30–8 p.m., via Zoom. Click the link below to register.

Location:
Online

Contact:
Bronzeville Growers Market / (614) 214-6277 /

http://www.bronzevillegrowersmarket.com/bronzeville-agricademy

 

Online 

Monday, October 16, 2023 through Monday, January 20, 2025
1-3 p.m.

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Whether you're just starting or are a seasoned farmer, are transitioning to organic or certified organic, or simply have questions about sustainable agriculture practices and strategies, OEFFA's sustainable agriculture educators can help! Drop in virtually from 1-3 p.m. on the third Monday of each month to talk to OEFFA's team of educators with your queries and questions.

Click the link below to register and receive the Zoom meeting link.

Location:
Online

Contact:
OEFFA / (614) 421-2022 /

http://secure.everyaction.com/wZBHAxHYcE2TOTXoC1sb8A2

 

Online 

Tuesday, December 5, 2023 through Thursday, December 7, 2023
8-10 a.m.

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If you're considering the H-2A agricultural visa program, join Farm Commons, FairShare, and Abby Benson of Featherstone Farm for H-2A & Your Ag Business: Legal, Practical & Ethical considerations for Workforce Development - a two-part, online discussion.

As a farm business owner, how do you know if the H-2A program might be right for you? How do you make sure workers are being treated and paid fairly? And how can you make sure individuals have a positive and safe experience while they're on your farm?

In this series, explore the H-2A visa program's legal and financial obligations, identify ways to mitigate any risk of human trafficking and other violations, and learn from both experienced farm owners and H-2A employees who have participated in this program. Register by December 2 to ensure your spot via the link below.

Location:
Online

Contact:
FairShare CSA Coalition / 608-226-0300 /

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/h-2a-your-ag-business-considerations-for-workforce-development-registra

 

Virtual 

Tuesday, December 5, 2023
6 - 7:30 p.m.

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Pull up a chair and join the National Young Farmers Coalition's virtual front porch as they rest and reflect with Dawn Sherman of Tanka Bar. Together, you'll uplift the indigenous roots of regenerative agriculture and celebrate transformation: from the bison's near extinction to a growing herd, and from policy ideas to direct funding for equitable land access.

Location:
Zoom

Contact:
Vanessa Garcia Polanco / (518) 643-3564 /

http://support.youngfarmers.org/event/young-farmers-x-simple-mills-front-porch-with-dawn-sherman/e5

 

Online 

Thursday, December 7, 2023
Noon

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The Organic Farmer Researcher Network is a growing group of organic and transitioning farmers, agricultural professionals, and researchers who meet regularly to discuss emerging issues, possible projects, and recent or ongoing research. Our group is collaboratively facilitated by staff at OEFFA, Ohio State, and Central State universities, but is intended to be farmer-focused and farmer-led. Participation is open to anyone with an interest.

If you have an interest in the network's future, please join on December 7 to reflect and discuss next steps. Help determine the best ways to foster more farmer leadership, choose the best format or steps to move on-farm research ideas forward, and plan activities or partnerships that can support this development. (This meeting will not be recorded, but notes will be posted and shared.)

Connection Details:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://osu.zoom.us/j/95022597557?pwd=Q1IxUEFHR0NhdGhrZ3R0QTFJa2ZOdz09
Join by Phone
Dial 1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) or 1 651 372 8299 (Minnesota)
Meeting ID: 950 2259 7557
Password: 654283
Use *6 to mute/unmute
Use *9 to raise/lower hand

Location:
Online

Contact:
Cassy Brown / 330-263-3634 /

http://offer.osu.edu/oofrn

 

Mt. Victory, Ohio 

Friday, December 8, 2023
9:30 a.m.

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The OEFFA Grain Growers Chapter is dedicated to the exchange of ideas and information for organic grain production, processing, and marketing. This meeting will recap the Mechanical Weed Control Field Day in Wooster, discuss the upcoming OSU Organic Grains Conference and OEFFA Conference, and discuss leadership and events for 2024.

The roundtable topic will be: a review of the growing season

9:30am--social time
10:00am--meeting
12:00--lunch
Our lunch will be the main restaurant buffet. The cost will be $13.99.

Please RSVP to the email below by Monday, December 4 so there is an accurate count for the lunch.

Location:
The Plaza Inn
491 South Main St.
Mt. Victory, OH 43340

Contact:
Dave Shively / (419) 438-2192 /

http://www.oeffa.org/chapter.php

 

Online 

Sunday, December 10, 2023
5-6:30 p.m.

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Informed by farm employees' voices and aimed at supporting positive, long-term employment opportunities for workers on diversified vegetable farms, "Farming into the Future by Centering Farmworkers" contains concrete, action-oriented tips and examples that highlight various paths forward and that seek to strengthen farm businesses and farmers' quality of life.

During this event, take a look at four things employees have said they deeply value in a workplace: communication, work environment, opportunities for growth and advancement, and livable wages. Hear from both owners and workers about some of their experiences with these topics.

Farm owners, farm employees, and farm-adjacent professionals are welcome and encouraged to attend/ Visit the link below to register.

Location:
Online

Contact:
FairShare CSA Coalition / 608-226-0300 /

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/farming-into-the-future-by-centering-farmworkers-registration-754818671

 

Online 

Sunday, December 10, 2023
2-4 p.m.

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Do you feel called to farm? Are you looking for a job or internship on a farm that shares your values and develops your skills? Do you just want a chance to work outdoors and eat good food?

Whatever your work or learning goals, there are many factors to consider in finding a job that helps you reach them while staying safe and healthy. This free online course is designed for people who are just entering the field. Learn about common industry standards, different types of jobs and internships, cultural norms and expectations, where to search for farm jobs, employee rights and safety, and more!

Click the link below to register.

Location:
Online

Contact:
OEFFA / (614) 725-3166 /

http://bit.ly/oeffa-farm-job-101

 

Online 

Tuesday, December 12, 2023
11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

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The Great Lakes Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Regional Center and the Ohio Youth Resilience Collaborative are pleased to offer our Fall Seminar titled A Closer Look at the Farm – Mental Health, Wellness and Risk on December 12, 2023 from 11am-12:15pm EST led by Ted Matthews and Fiona Doherty.

Session Goal
• During this session participants will identify unique stressors, risks, and factors supporting farmers, family,
rural life and agriculture workers.

Session Objectives
• Indentify unique stressors impacting daily rural life, work/life balance and agriculture
• Assess impact of stressors on daily life, morale and job satisfaction for agriculture workers, familes and communities
• Assess the impact of uncertainty as related to aspects of farming and the business of agriculture
• Identify opportunities for access to wellness services

Click the link below to register.

Location:
Online

Contact:
Kelly Cabral / (614) 688-4297 /

http://osu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJItde-grTgiGNUYjj4Oua4oOLO32AkABPyz

 

Oregon, Ohio 

Thursday, January 4, 2024 through Friday, January 5, 2024
8 a.m.

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The 2nd annual Ohio State Organic Grains Conference will be January 4-5, 2024 at the Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center in Oregon, Ohio.

Featured presenters for this year will include Klaas Martens of Lakeview Organic Grain in New York, Steve Culman from Washington State University (formerly Ohio State), Léa Vereecke from Rodale Institute, and Eugene Law from USDA-Agricultural Research Services. We'll again feature a trade show with venders who offer relevent goods and services; a farmer roundtable lunch; and farmer panels on topics like weed control strategies, technology, and biological products. Our 2024 line-up includes Ohio State educators and researchers with an interest in organic production, including corn and emerging crop specialist Osler Ortez; associate professor in soils and agronomy Ryan Haden; farm management field specialist Eric Richer, and manure nutrient management field specialist Glen Arnold, plus research updates on kernza and crop-livestock integration.

Early bird pricing is available until December 1. Click the link below to learn more.

Location:
Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center
1750 State Park Road #2
Oregon, OH 43616

Contact:
OSU / (330) 263-3634 /

http://offer.osu.edu/organic-grains-2024

 

East Lansing, Michigan 

Saturday, January 6, 2024
8 a.m.-5 p.m.

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Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance (MOFFA)'s Organic Intensives are an opportunity to acquire practical, detailed information over the course of a day with fellow Michigan farmers and gardeners.

For 2024, MOFFA is offering the opportunity to learn from experienced experts and producers in one of three topic areas:

- Innovative Ecological Farming and Growing
- Building a Just and Equitable Seed Community
- Locally Sourced and Manufactured Fibers: An Important Part of Sustainable Living

The event will take place on Saturday, January 6th, at the Plant and Soil Sciences building on the MSU campus in East Lansing.

Registration is $110 for MOFFA members and $140 for non-members. The registration fee covers six hours of learning, an organic lunch and snack breaks, all printed materials, and a great chance to network with fellow farmers and gardeners from across Michigan.

Click the link below to learn more and register.

Location:
Plant and Soil Sciences Building, Michigan State University
1066 Bogue Street
East Lansing, MI

Contact:
MOFFA / 248-262-6826 /

http://www.moffa.net/OI-2024.html

 

Dayton Ohio 

Sunday, January 14, 2024
2-5 p.m.

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Presented in partnership with generous sponsors and expert panelists, OEFFA Policy's Film Screening Series begins on Sunday, January 14, 2024, with Food Chains.

The documentary takes a deep look at the living and working conditions of workers in Immokalee, Florida—one of the nation's top tomato-producing regions and the epicenter of one of the most important fights for food workers' rights.

The screenings are free and open to the public but we encourage you to register at the link below.

Closed captioning will be offered. Please contact us for additional accommodations and support.

Location:
The Neon
130 E 5th St.
Dayton, Ohio 45402

Contact:
Lauren Hirtle / (614) 725-0903 /

http://action.oeffa.com/film-screening-series/

 

Online and Madison, Wisconsin 

Thursday, January 25, 2024 through Saturday, February 3, 2024
8 a.m.

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This producer-initiated conference is designed for advanced growers and attracts participants from throughout the Midwest and beyond. Participants who register by January 6 will receive a conference packet with handouts and swag through the mail BEFORE the online sessions. Those who register after January 6 may receive the packet before or AFTER the online sessions. Online sessions are on Zoom.

January 25 & 26 | Online – Hoophouse Vegetables
Vegetables: Asian greens and peppers
Management: Fertilizer injectors and high tunnel pest management
Social Sessions: Winter cover crops in high tunnels and more!

February 2 & 3 | In-person, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI
Vegetables: Asparagus, garlic, peppers, potatoes
Management: Crop rotations, seed saving, composting and soil fertility, and farm labor retention strategies
General Sessions: Keeping the fun in farming, vegetable varieties, farmer-to-farmer round tables and more
And back for another round of glory: Friday night After Party!

Location:
Online and Madison, Wisconsin

Contact:
University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension / 608-224-3700 /

http://dane.extension.wisc.edu/organic-vegetable-production-conference/#link

 

Newark, Ohio 

Thursday, February 15, 2024 through Saturday, February 17, 2024
8 a.m.

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Join OEFFA February 15-17, 2024, at Cherry Valley Hotel in Newark, Ohio, for the 45th annual OEFFA conference.

This conference is three days of learning, sharing, and connecting with hundreds of sustainable farmers, gardeners, and local food supporters. From backyard gardening to pasture management to food policy, this conference covers diverse themes in organic and sustainable agriculture. Registrants enjoy dozens of workshops, hands-on demonstrations, locally-sourced meals, an exhibit hall of shops and information, and much more.

Learn more at conference.oeffa.org.

Location:
Cherry Valley Hotel & Event Center
2299 Cherry Valley Rd SE
Newark, OH 43055

Contact:
OEFFA / (614) 421-2022 /

http://conference.oeffa.org

 

Newark, Ohio 

Friday, February 16, 2024
7-9 p.m.

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Presented in partnership with generous sponsors and expert panelists, OEFFA Policy's Film Screening series will continue with its second film in February.

Digging In follows Masika Henson as she explores the many facets of the U.S. food system: corporate control, land ownership, the climate crisis, and the hollowing out of rural America.

The screenings are free and open to the public but we encourage you to register at the link below.

Closed captioning will be offered. Please contact us for additional accommodations and support.

*While the screening will take place at the 2024 OEFFA Conference, conference registration is not required.

Location:
Cherry Valley Hotel and Ohio Event Center
2299 Cherry Valley Rd SE
Newark, Ohio 43055

Contact:
Lauren Hirtle / (614) 725-0903 /

http://action.oeffa.com/film-screening-series/

 

Roanoke, Virginia 

Friday, March 22, 2024 through Sunday, March 24, 2024
8 a.m.

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The Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition's (ABFFC) Gather to Grow multi day Forest Farming Conference will be held in Roanoke, Virginia from March 22-24, 2024 and feature learning, networking, and strategic planning programs that will shape the future of forest farming of woodland crops such as botanicals, mushrooms, and decorative products in Appalachia and beyond.


Keynote speakers, working group meetings and panels, field tours, expo, exhibitors, breakout presentations, flash talks, a youth program, poster presenters, great food, socials, and a classic hotel in Appalachia are included.

Location:
Hotel Roanoke
Roanoke, VA

Contact:
Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition / (000) 00-0000 /

http://www.appalachianforestfarmers.org/2024-conference

 

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

oeffaoeffaorg

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

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