Personal Resilience

Workshop Session I: 9:15-10:30 a.m.

Seed To Fork: The Key to Raising Farm Wages

Ryan Doan, Fresh To Morrow

Fresh To Morrow sells produce, value added products, meals, baked goods, and other items their farm produces in a vertically integrated, seed to fork, farm to table model. This allows for higher wages for farmers and chefs. Walk through their process of starting the kitchen, balancing field and kitchen work, production numbers, mix of sales, what is sold in the store, how they sell produce via pre-paid market accounts, and even the menu.

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

The New Paradigm: Promoting Circularity in Agriculture Using Practical, Local Approaches

Charles Bethke, Margaret Cullinan, PittMoss, LLC

We are entering a new era of farming where we must carefully consider the inputs in our agricultural processes and their environmental impact, such as the use of peat, coir, perlite, and other products. To be sustainable in the long term, farming must incorporate the use of recycled and repurposed materials. This workshop will explain the new farming paradigm, the implications of using different inputs in your operation, and how to choose the best, most circular solutions for your farm.

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Workshop Session III: 1:30-2:45 p.m. 

C A N C E L L E D

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Workshop Session IV: 3-4:15 p.m

Internships and Learning Contracts to Promote Farm Career Development

Katy Rogers, Teter Organic Farm

By investing in learning plans that improve employee retention and encourage advancement, this farm founded a successful internship program. Glean their resources for applied training and how they designated small plots as learning laboratories managed by students. OEFFA’s Fair Farms program will also discuss the Agricultural Justice Project guidelines for compensating interns and developing effective learning contracts. 

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Workshop Session V: 10:45-Noon

Farming with Draft Animals

Gabriel Francisco, Thunderfoot Farm

Did you know that farming with the use of draft animals continues to be one of the most prevalent methods of farm power to this day? Topic discussions will include team selection, training basics, soil health and farm biodiversity, economics, and practicality. Information will be provided for those interested or starting their draft-powered farming journeys, but all skill levels are invited to attend and join in the conversation.

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Workshop Session VI: 1:30-2:45 p.m.

African Heritage Crops Project

Kamille Austin, Corey Higgs, Mariah Simmons, Clare Thorn, Central State University Extension

African culturally-specific crops, such as heritage green glaze collards, seven top turnip greens, okra,  whippoorwill and iron & clay southern peas, waterleaf, fish hot peppers, and striped toga eggplant and many others, were introduced by Africans hiding and carrying homeland seeds during the African Diaspora. Since the introduction to American agricultural lands, there has been an effort to save seeds and maintain the quality of these food sources. However, growing, locating, and purchasing these crops are limited and difficult to locate in northern regions.

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Workshop Session VII: 3-4:15 p.m.

Leveraging Partnerships for Inclusive Climate-Resilient Community Garden Projects

Dianne Kadonaga, Sunny Glen Garden

Gain insights from a successful hyper-local urban community building project that addresses food insecurity. By connecting climate-resilient edible forest gardens and wildlife habitat for pollinators and birds, reduce city heat island effect and pollution, minimize flooding, and improve the quality of local streams and rivers. See how to structure and optimize partnerships for greater reach and impact, with ideas on how to be more inclusive of our BIPOC, seniors, veterans, and low income households.

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