Workshops
Session IV
Friday, February 14 | 3-4:15 p.m.
Influencing Federal Food and Farm Policy
Stef Funk, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
Congress is working on a new farm bill, which means we have a window of opportunity to influence food and farm policy for the next five years. Learn to leverage local experience for national impact in this interactive workshop, gaining the knowledge of how to gauge your elected officials’ priorities, how to craft a compelling narrative, and how to advocate for climate-friendly, socially-just farm policy.
Sustainable Foundations and Personal Resilience

Farming & Family Care Podcast Roadshow
Beth Knorr, FairShare CSA Coalition, Dana Hilfinger, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Shoshanna Inwood, OSU, Bryn Bird, Bird’s Haven Farm, Fresh Roberson, Fresher Together
Join the Midwest Vegetable Growers Network (MVEG) Farmer Resiliency and Health working group to discuss both challenges and ideas for solutions on balancing family life with farming. Recap the themes and tactics highlighted during the MVEG podcast, share stories and strategies, and brainstorm how to move the needle to help all families as they try to find a sustainable balance.
Backyards, Lots, and Small Plots
Solar Applications for the Home or Farm
Tom Rapini and Valerie Garrett, A’s and O’s Farm
From lighting a path to powering your entire house, there are many ways you can bring solar-generated electricity into your life. Learn how you can apply to energy-demanding tasks around your home or farm, such as lighting a shed or operating a fan on a hot greenhouse. There will also be a hands-on opportunity to wire solar components yourself so you can tackle a do-it-yourself solar project.
Growing Sustainable Businesses
REAP the Benefits of Clean Energy
Mat Roberts, Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council
Learn about new and emerging opportunities for the local food community to invest in clean energy. SOPEC’s Free Solar Assessment Program and Free REAP Grant Assistance Program are designed to provide technical support and resources to make clean energy work. Through new federal policy, eligible farms and small businesses can reduce their clean energy investment by utilizing tax credits, depreciation, and the USDA REAP grant.
Organic Mite Control in Hives
Ross Conrad, Dancing Bee Gardens
The Varroa mite is a ubiquitous challenge for today’s beekeepers. Delve into Varroa identification, monitoring, and control techniques, as well as sugar dusting, essential oils, organic acids, herbs, screened bottom boards, genetic tolerance, breaking up the brood cycle, and more.
Vegetables, Fruit and Specialty Crops
Incorporating Mushrooms into a Market Garden or Farmstead
Thomas Lodge, MidAm Mushrooms
Explore the integration of mushrooms into small farm production cycles, offering an opportunity to diversify crops, enhance soil health, and increase profitability. Gain practical skills in mushroom cultivation, including species selection, substrate preparation, and system design, as well as an understanding of some of the economics of mushroom growing. Discussion will also include strategies for using spent substrate as compost and creating value-added products.
High Tunnel Construction Best Practices
Bob Rimol, Rimol Greenhouse Systems
High tunnels are a valuable tool for growers of all sizes, but careful planning is needed to ensure it creates more benefits than headaches. Hear the best practices for high tunnel construction to help prevent common high tunnel mistakes and ensure you get the most value from your investment.
Appalachia Regional Food Business Center
Paul Freedman and Herron Linscott, Rural Action
Learn about the Appalachia Regional Food Business Center and how it can assist small and medium sized food-related businesses. The Center is a partnership-based model working under a cooperative agreement with the USDA and is focused on three main areas: capacity building through no-match subawards, expanding the technical assistance that is offered by partner agencies, and coordination of these services across the Center’s coverage area.
* 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