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  • OEFFA Member Spotlight

    Member Spotlight: Ava Johnson of SE Urban Farm

    November 17, 2023 /

    Originally published in the Autumn 2023 edition of the OEFFA newsletter. As we arrived on a steamy July afternoon, it was hard to imagine anything different for the church’s backyard. Teeming with abundance, there were overflowing vegetable beds, blooming flowers, and lots of happy bees. But seven years ago, SE Urban Farm looked a lot different. The now-thriving space was made up of layers of plastic and sod. It took a lot of work to get the barren land to where it is now, and the local community is benefitting as a result. Meet Ava Johnson It’s also difficult to wrap one’s head around the fact that this is mostly…

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    Heather Seely Comments Off on Member Spotlight: Ava Johnson of SE Urban Farm

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    Member Spotlight: Yellowbird Foodshed

    December 14, 2024

    Member Spotlight: The Stratton Family behind Truest Farms

    September 21, 2024

    Member Spotlight: Ed Snavely of Curly Tail Organic Farm

    February 26, 2024
  • Farm Policy,  OEFFA News

    OEFFA Policy Program Transition

    October 27, 2023 /

    Originally published in the Autumn 2023 edition of the OEFFA newsletter. After nine distinguished years at OEFFA, Policy Director Amalie Lipstreu is leaving to pursue an exciting opportunity with the California Climate and Agriculture Network. Amalie is a visionary leader, a passionate advocate, a generous mentor, and a compassionate friend. The growth in OEFFA’s policy program, our increasing power and influence in the Statehouse and on the Hill, and our expanded capacity to support and uplift farmer leaders are the fruits of her hard work and leadership. She is a true giant of the food and farm movement and OEFFA is grateful for her tremendous contribution to our work and…

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    Heather Seely Comments Off on OEFFA Policy Program Transition

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    OEFFA Policy Announces 2024 Film Screening Series

    January 3, 2024

    OEFFA Releases 2023 Farm Bill Tracker

    July 21, 2023
  • OEFFA Press Releases

    OEFFA Praises Representative Brown’s Legislation to Support Urban and Innovative Producers

    October 19, 2023 /

    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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    Heather Seely Comments Off on OEFFA Praises Representative Brown’s Legislation to Support Urban and Innovative Producers

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    First Annual Ohio Soil Health Week to Take Place November 10-16

    October 29, 2024

    Clintonville Farmers Market to Showcase Local Food Systems During National Farmers Market Week

    August 10, 2023

    OEFFA Announces 2024 Award Recipients: Brandt Family Farm, Tom Redfern, Kim Bayer

    March 5, 2024
  • OEFFA Press Releases

    Clintonville Farmers Market to Showcase Local Food Systems During National Farmers Market Week

    August 10, 2023 /

    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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    Cattle

    Senator Brown, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Local Meat Processing Support, Bolster Resilient Food Systems

    February 10, 2023
    OEFFA Conference 2023

    OEFFA Announces 2023 Award Recipients: Jeff Dean, Jeff Dickinson, Scott Myers

    March 16, 2023

    OEFFA Announces 2025 Award Recipients: Dave Shively, Amalie Lipstreu, Molly Sowash, CJ Morgan

    February 18, 2025
  • OEFFA News

    A Letter from the OEFFA Board

    August 8, 2023 /

    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…

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    Reilly Wright Comments Off on A Letter from the OEFFA Board

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    A Message from OEFFA’s Board

    August 8, 2024

    OEFFA Policy Announces 2024 Film Screening Series

    January 3, 2024

    Mental Health Awareness Month: Resources for Farmers

    May 6, 2025
  • Farm Policy

    OEFFA Releases 2023 Farm Bill Tracker

    July 21, 2023 /

    Today, the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) launched its marker bill tracker to encourage action in the months leading up to farm bill authorization. Marker bills aren’t designed to pass as standalone bills, but instead garner support for legislative ideas. They’re often introduced with the goal of being included in a large, omnibus bill like the farm bill. The tracker features 20+ marker bills that have the potential to: The regularly-updated resource features marker bills that OEFFA has officially endorsed, as well as those our members are in favor of.

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    Heather Seely Comments Off on OEFFA Releases 2023 Farm Bill Tracker

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    OEFFA Policy Announces 2024 Film Screening Series

    January 3, 2024

    OEFFA Policy Program Transition

    October 27, 2023
  • Land Legacy
    OEFFA Stories

    From Friendship to Land Legacy Preservation: A Tale of Non-Heir Land Transfer

    July 3, 2023 /

    By Kelly Cabral, OEFFA Farmland Specialist On one rainy morning in late April 2022, I met farmers Mary Lou and Tom Shaw of Milk and Honey Farm to tour their land, meet their animated heritage breed Narragansett turkeys and Dorking chickens, and the farmer who is taking over their farm when they move out at the end of May. Twenty five years ago, Mary Lou and Tom purchased the 48-acre property. Over time, Tom built a 30-acre wetland and prairie on the property to accommodate the flourishing native biodiversity. It is a quaint farm, with a small farm house, seven outbuildings, animal housing, and a working windmill. In 2021, due…

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    Reilly Wright Comments Off on From Friendship to Land Legacy Preservation: A Tale of Non-Heir Land Transfer

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    TOPP Mentorship Spotlight: Nanda Kishore Methuku

    February 28, 2025
  • Farm Tours
    OEFFA Press Releases

    Explore Sustainable Agriculture at an OEFFA Farm Tour or Workshop

    May 15, 2023 /

    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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    Reilly Wright Comments Off on Explore Sustainable Agriculture at an OEFFA Farm Tour or Workshop

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    OEFFA Conference 2023

    OEFFA Announces 2023 Award Recipients: Jeff Dean, Jeff Dickinson, Scott Myers

    March 16, 2023

    OEFFA Announces 2024 Award Recipients: Brandt Family Farm, Tom Redfern, Kim Bayer

    March 5, 2024

    First Annual Ohio Soil Health Week to Take Place November 10-16

    October 29, 2024
  • Crop Insurance
    OEFFA Press Releases

    OEFFA Launches Member-Driven Crop Insurance Platform

    April 24, 2023 /

    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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    Heather Seely Comments Off on OEFFA Launches Member-Driven Crop Insurance Platform

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    Status-Quo House Farm Bill Draft Falls Short on OEFFA’s Member-Driven Priorities

    May 28, 2024

    Khara Strum Joins OEFFA as Executive Director

    May 1, 2024

    First Annual Ohio Soil Health Week to Take Place November 10-16

    October 29, 2024
  • Local Food
    OEFFA Press Releases

    Senator Brown Introduces Bipartisan Effort to Help Ohio Farmers, Support Local Economy

    April 19, 2023 /

    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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    Heather Seely Comments Off on Senator Brown Introduces Bipartisan Effort to Help Ohio Farmers, Support Local Economy

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    Khara Strum Joins OEFFA as Executive Director

    May 1, 2024
    Farm Tours

    Explore Sustainable Agriculture at an OEFFA Farm Tour or Workshop

    May 15, 2023

    Clintonville Farmers Market to Showcase Local Food Systems During National Farmers Market Week

    August 10, 2023
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OEFFA

Reilly Wright

Reilly Wright

Communications Director

(614) 725-3160
Online

(614) 725-3160
Online

Heather Seely

Heather Seely

Communications and Media Specialist

(614) 725-3164
Online

(614) 725-3164
Online

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