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OEFFA Launches 2025 Farm Tour and Workshop Series
The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) announces its annual Farm Tour and Workshop Series. The 2025 series of public tours and workshops includes a number of events showcasing organic and ecological farms in Ohio and one in West Virginia, plus educational and social opportunities. This programming opens the door for farmers, gardeners, educators, and conscious consumers to learn about local foods and farming firsthand. “OEFFA is excited about this year’s farm tour series and grateful to our farmer members and partners who are sharing their experience and expertise with anyone interested in learning more about farming, where our food comes from, and why healthy soil is so important…
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TOPP Mentorship Spotlight: Nanda Kishore Methuku
By Lindsey Marshall, Midwest Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) Intern Originally published in the Winter 2025 edition of the OEFFA newsletter. How does one become a farmer? Many farmers in the United States inherit their farms through generations, continuing the family legacy. Others acquire their farms through succession, a process where farms are passed down to new families or individuals. However, a small percentage are first-generation farmers. Beginning farmers account for only 30 percent of producers in America, and an even smaller fraction are beginning organic farmers. Starting a farm is challenging, with financial hurdles and market volatility posing significant barriers. Nanda Kishore Methuku started his career as a…
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OEFFA Announces 2025 Award Recipients: Dave Shively, Amalie Lipstreu, Molly Sowash, CJ Morgan
The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) has named the 2025 recipients of its Stewardship, Service, and Beginning Farmer awards. Dave Shively of Henry County received the Stewardship Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the cultivation of sustainable agriculture; Amalie Lipstreu of Licking County received the Service Award, which recognizes extraordinary service in support of sustainable agriculture; and Molly Sowash and CJ Morgan of Athens County received the Beginning Farmer Award, which recognizes innovation and commitment to overcome systemic barriers faced by new farmers. “This year’s awards winners are a testament to OEFFA’s strong, enduring community. Not only do they find ways to break through barriers, they share their…
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46th Annual Ohio Food and Farm Conference Opens Registration
Registration is now open for Ohio’s largest sustainable agriculture conference. Now in its 46th year, this three-day event brings together hundreds of farm and food advocates from across the nation. The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association’s (OEFFA) annual conference, Boldly Grow, will take place Thursday, February 13 through Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Cherry Valley Hotel and Ohio Event Center in Newark, Ohio. “The OEFFA conference has a long history of providing high-quality programming in support of sustainable and organic farming in Ohio and beyond,” said OEFFA Executive Director Khara Strum. “We are looking forward to creating community with farmers, consumers, and advocates through workshops and curated social activities.”…
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A Message from OEFFA’s Board
Here we are, in the midst of summer 2024, filled with optimism as we collectively witness the fruits of our labor in hundreds of farms and gardens across OEFFA’s region. As we look forward to a bountiful harvest, I want to share the latest updates and some changes we are implementing to ensure we steward OEFFA’s resources wisely for our members and farmers. In May, we welcomed Khara Strum as our new executive director. With nearly two decades of experience in conservation and farming, Khara brings a wealth of new energy and innovative ideas to our organization, and she is stepping into her new position with both confidence and grace.…
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OEFFA Launches Annual Series of Farm Tours and Workshops
The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) and partners invite you to explore farms and farming this summer during the 2024 Farm Tour and Workshop Series. OEFFA’s annual series of public tours and workshops encompasses 24 events, featuring organic and ecological farms in Ohio and Michigan, plus a number of educational workshops. This programming opens the door for farmers, gardeners, educators, and consumers to learn about local foods and farming first hand. Participants will have the opportunity to walk through farm fields, garden beds, livestock pastures, and more during these OEFFA farm tours: Attendees can explore farm programs, understand the organic certification process, navigate farm employment, and more during…
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Khara Strum Joins OEFFA as Executive Director
The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) is pleased to announce that Khara Strum has joined the organization as executive director, effective May 1, 2024. “With over two decades of leadership and conservation experience, Khara embodies the qualities necessary to propel OEFFA forward as a leader in organic certification, land stewardship, and local food advocacy,” said OEFFA Board President Sarah Paul. “By embracing Khara’s wealth of expertise, fresh perspective, and collaborative spirit, we are eager to embark on this new chapter.” For most of her professional career, Strum has worked in conservation and agricultural land protection. She most recently served as director of the Philander Chase Conservancy, guiding the…
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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…
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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…
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A Letter from the OEFFA Board
Summer is a time of growth and opportunity, where we embrace new beginnings and evaluate our path forward in the growing season. Under the guidance of Carol Goland, our former executive director, OEFFA flourished from a grassroots movement to a thriving organization. With Carol’s leadership, we now certify more than 1,100 organic operations annually, manage a $3.6 million budget, and actively contribute to the national discourse on farm policy. Her diligent work has set the stage for tremendous growth. Upon Carol’s departure, Rachel Tayse filled her shoes with fresh insights and a different perspective on the executive director position, strengthening internal procedures, increasing efficiency in our growing organization, and creating…
Ecological Food and Farm News
