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Member Spotlight: The Stratton Family behind Truest Farms
Originally published in the Summer 2024 edition of the OEFFA newsletter. “It’s been great. It’s been a lot of momentum. We’re doubling and tripling each year,” shared Cory Stratton during my first visit to Truest Farms in May 2023. The Champaign County farm is co-owned by Cory and his father, Mark, but it’s truly a family-run operation. Cory’s high school sweetheart and wife Kirsten uses her background as a veterinary technician to support the pasture-raised livestock, and their five-year-old daughter Claire enjoys playing with the chicks and pushing the chicken tractor. Spanning 21 acres, the regenerative farm is unrecognizable from its previous life planted in conventional corn and soy. All…
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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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Status-Quo House Farm Bill Draft Falls Short on OEFFA’s Member-Driven Priorities
In the early hours of May 24, the House Agriculture Committee advanced its farm bill, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 (FFNSA), out of committee. This is long-awaited movement for a bill that should have passed last year but the proposed legislation misses the mark. The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) joins many in the sustainable food and agriculture space in demanding a farm bill that does more to level the playing field for farmers, protect vital nutrition support, and equip producers with tools to address the climate crisis. The FFNSA is a 942-page discussion draft that was released on May 17 in advance of…
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Member Spotlight: Pam Mack of L Marie Ltd
Originally published in the Spring 2024 edition of the OEFFA newsletter. Years ago, Pam Mack began a heartfelt mission to pay tribute to her late daughter: to grow and provide healthy, organic vegetables for everyone. L Marie Ltd is an organic farming company that prioritizes promoting the well-being of the current generation while ensuring sustainability for future generations. Located in Richland County, the farm covers five acres, with approximately half of the land dedicated to cultivating an extensive variety of vegetables. This includes collard greens, kale, Swiss chard, onions, leeks, tomatoes, peppers, squash, beets, zucchini, okra, cucumbers, bush beans, and more. The farm features 40 100-foot rows and 19 raised…
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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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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…
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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…
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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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