• OEFFA Member Spotlight

    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…

  • OEFFA Press Releases

    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…

  • Local Food
    OEFFA Press Releases

    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…