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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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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…
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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…
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Explore Sustainable Agriculture at an OEFFA Farm Tour or Workshop
The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) and its partners invite you to get a taste of the farm this summer during the 2023 Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop Series. This annual series of public tours and workshops features more than 13 organic and ecological farms and businesses across the state, opening the door for farmers, gardeners, educators, and eaters to learn about agriculture and local foods on the farm. Tour guests can walk through farm fields, garden beds, livestock pastures, and more during these OEFFA farm tours: Attendees can explore farming technology, sharpen advocacy skills, navigate farm jobs, and more during these OEFFA workshops: In addition to OEFFA,…
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OEFFA Launches Member-Driven Crop Insurance Platform
Today, the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) launched its Crop Insurance Platform and video, featuring interviews with 15 farmers about their experiences with crop insurance. Centered around OEFFA member proposals to make crop insurance fair, functional, and informed, the Platform includes recommended farm bill actions and changes to the crop insurance subsidy rate brackets. If implemented, the crop insurance program would better support small-scale, organic, beginning, and transitioning farmers, address disparities in crop insurance benefits and utilization, and save an estimated $5 billion over 10 years. Farming is an industry associated with a high level of risk. Uncertainties in global markets and weather impact prices, yields, and income.…
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Senator Brown Introduces Bipartisan Effort to Help Ohio Farmers, Support Local Economy
Today, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced the Local Farms and Food Act. The legislation would reduce applicant barriers for some local food programs, increase investments in critical infrastructure, and sustain impactful nutrition incentives. The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) proudly endorses this local food marker bill. “OEFFA has been meeting with members and partners throughout the state of Ohio since last fall to talk about what is needed to continue the progress on local and regional food system development in the upcoming farm bill,” said OEFFA Policy Director Amalie Lipstreu. “After hearing from Senator Brown’s office and seeing the Local Farms and Food Act, it is clear they…
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Pingree Reintroduces Agriculture Resilience Act
Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) reintroduced the Agriculture Resilience Act. The research-driven and farmer-focused act paves the way to achieving net-zero agricultural emissions by 2040. With Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Pingree first introduced the Agriculture Resilience Act in April 2021. The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) endorsed the bold climate and agriculture marker bill then, and does so again with its reintroduction. Since the Agricultural Resilience Act’s (ARA) original introduction, farmers have increasingly recognized their place on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Not only are they equipped with solutions to enhance climate resilience, but they’re also some of the first to experience the impacts of extreme weather…
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OEFFA Announces 2023 Award Recipients: Jeff Dean, Jeff Dickinson, Scott Myers
The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) has named the 2023 recipients of its Stewardship, Service, and Policy Leader awards. Jeff Dean of Sandusky County received the Stewardship Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the cultivation of sustainable agriculture; Jeff Dickinson of Delaware County received the Service Award, which recognizes extraordinary service in support of sustainable agriculture; and Scott Myers of Wayne County was named the Policy Leader of the Year, which recognizes members whose actions have promoted effective policy work for OEFFA. These awards were announced February 16-18 as part of OEFFA’s 44th annual conference in Newark, Ohio. 2023 Stewardship Award Winner—Jeff Dean Almost 30 years ago, Jeff…