Personal Resiliance

Friday

Workshop Session I: 8:45-10 a.m.

Plant Invaders of Field and Forest: Invasive Species to Know and Control 

Janell Baran, Blue Owl Garden Emporium 

What is a weed? What makes a weed an invasive weed? Learn to identify and understand several of Ohio’s most common plant invasives, and then explore alternative—and sometimes unexpected—ways to combat them without the use of toxic herbicides. 

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Workshop Session II: 10:45 a.m.-Noon

Writing a Farm Health and Safety Plan for Body, Mind, and Spirit 

Elizabeth Henderson and Jon Magee, Agricultural Justice Project 

Farm safety starts with a comprehensive safety plan that identifies hazards, emergency supplies, and necessary skills and training. Using templates from the Agricultural Justice Project, you will compile a farm health and safety plan that addresses all the hazards in your farm workplace, as well as personal well-being and workplace relationships. You may use a device to work on the templates during this session so you walk away with your farm being on its way toward being a safe and healthy workplace. 

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Workshop Session III: 1-2:15 p.m. 

Sustainability in Pure Maple Syrup Production 

Kevin Milligan, Milligan’s Maple Products 

Hear about pure maple syrup production, from tree selection to enjoying pure maple syrup at your kitchen table. Topics will include hobby production, leasing of woods, maple sap and syrup sales opportunities, equipment investments, forestry management to maximize maple sap yield, value-added products, marketing of maple syrup, and cooking applications. 

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Workshop Session IV: 2:30-3:45 p.m.

Introducing Kids to Herbs and Forest Farming 

Joe Brehm, Rural Action 

Kids’ minds are blown by the uses of local plants and fungi. This session will showcase Rural Action’s Appalachian Stewards curriculum, which introduces students (mostly grades 4-12) to forest botanicals like American ginseng and goldenseal, as well as garden herbs like lemon balm. You will learn more about this curriculum and make fire cider or salve with local herbs.

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Saturday

Workshop Session V: 8:45-10 a.m.

Gardening as We Age: Ideas for Adapting 

Laura Akgerman, Ohio AgrAbility 

Learn about good body mechanics, ergonomic garden tools, safe lifting, sun safety, and Universal Design in this session. It will include ideas for adapting your current work habits, tools, and structures so you can continue gardening productively and safely as your abilities change. 

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Workshop Session VI: 10:45 a.m.-Noon

Donation Station: A Model for Cultivating Community Food Access 

Susie Huser and Reggie Morrow, Community Food Initiatives 

Stakeholders working on food security often find themselves facing competing priorities: providing immediate access to food, supporting physical and environmental wellness, and supporting sustainable community development. CFI will share their innovative program for developing the local economy, supporting local farmers, and alleviating food insecurity. Hear about the evolution of the Donation Station model, how and why it works, and explore how you can adapt it to build connections, wellness, and prosperity in your own community.

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Workshop Session VII: 1-2:15 p.m.

Native Plant Seed Saving 

Dianne Kadonaga, Sunny Glen Garden 

The increasing popularity of native plants in the home and conservation landscape is exciting. But mounting pressures on native plant populations makes native seed propagation and collection increasingly vital. With climate change pushing the extremes, an escalation in wild harvesting, and the threat of spreading disease or pests, many species are becoming rare or endangered. Learn the considerations for selecting native plant seeds, tips and tools for easier collection, and proper storage techniques to protect the health and integrity of our local native plant communities. 

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