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Member Spotlight: Ava Johnson of SE Urban Farm
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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OEFFA Policy Program Transition
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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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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OEFFA Announces 2023 Award Recipients: Jeff Dean, Jeff Dickinson, Scott Myers
OEFFA Announces 2025 Award Recipients: Dave Shively, Amalie Lipstreu, Molly Sowash, CJ Morgan
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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…
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OEFFA Releases 2023 Farm Bill Tracker
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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From Friendship to Land Legacy Preservation: A Tale of Non-Heir Land Transfer
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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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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