Workshops
Session III
Friday, February 14 | 1:30-2:45 p.m.
Farmer Voices in D.C.
Dave Shively, Shively Farm, Alexis Dragovich, Mud Run Organic Farm, Sophia Buggs, Lady Buggs Pharm, Lauren Hirtle, OEFFA
Are Ohio agricultural voices actually impactful on Capitol Hill? Farmer voices are central to OEFFA’s advocacy work, and amplifying their stories is essential to shaping policies that support healthy agricultural communities and economies. Hear directly from OEFFA member-leaders as they share their experiences advocating in D.C.
Sustainable Foundations and Personal Resilience
The Forgotten Farm
Bryna Chandler, Drunken Duck Farm & Rescue
Learn how to transform neglected farmland into sustainable homesteads or productive farms through land health assessment, natural soil restoration, invasive species management, natural irrigation, and permaculture design. Create balanced ecosystems using food forests and restorative farming, and build farms that thrive sustainably.
Backyards, Lots, and Small Plots
Freeze Drying Fundamentals
Shari Gallup and Candace Heer, OSU
Freeze drying has become popular, but there is limited education-based information available. Explore the fundamentals of freeze drying, including the basics, best practices, cost comparisons, and supplies. There will also be taste testing of freeze dried products.
Growing Sustainable Businesses
Recordkeeping: Do More than a Tax Return
Wm. Bruce Clevenger, OSU
Farm business recordkeeping is at times believed to be a painful necessity. While good recordkeeping can do an excellent job of a tax return, it can also describe the profit and loss areas of the business, identify strengths and weaknesses of production efficiencies, and separate the business income from other personal income, telling the whole farm business story.
When it Rains it Pours (or not!)
Halee Wepking, Meadowlark Community Mill, Mike Stites, Rex Stites Farms, Inc., Casey Brooks, OEFFA
Talk with row crop farmers who are navigating increasingly unpredictable climate conditions, understanding what worked and what didn’t during both the droughts and excessive rain this past growing season.
Introduction to Dairy Goats
Lauren Cain, Find Hope Farm
Dairy animals provide an incredible opportunity to add endless varieties of fresh food to your family’s table, but getting and caring for them can be intimidating. Learn the basics of selection, care, and management of a dairy goat and how they can be an ideal fit for your homestead.
Vegetables, Fruit, and Specialty Crops
Marssonina Leaf Blotch in Organic Apple Production
Zachary Dobbelaer, Charlie’s Apples
Hear about Charlie’s Apple Orchard’s controlled experiment to examine what mix of pest management strategies work to eradicate or mitigate the impact of Marssonina Leaf Blotch on apple production within an organic orchard system.
For Peat’s Sake
Nathan Rutz, Tilth Soil
Growing stronger, healthier plants starts with propagation. If you’ve ever had questions about what is, or what should be, in your potting soil, come get your hands dirty (literally!). Learn more about: the role and origin of various components and amendments; how they interact to help plants succeed; and balancing performance, ecological, and financial considerations.
BIPOC Breakout Room
August Taylor, OEFFA
This is a space for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) attendees to focus on connecting with each other. Together, identifying goals, sharing resources, and finding points of collaboration.
* This session was not recorded due to its conversational aspect.
t This session's recording had technical issues.

Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association
NEW ADDRESS
150 E. Wilson Bridge Rd. Suite 230
Worthington, OH 43085
OEFFA: (614) 421-2022 (614) 421-2022
OEFFA Certification: (614) 262-2022 (614) 262-2022