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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…