OEFFA Conference 2021
Thank You for Joining Us!
Thanks so much to the many sponsors, speakers, exhibitors, volunteers, and others who helped make this year’s conference possible! We couldn’t do it without this inspiring community of food and farm advocates committed to learning, engaging, and building a strong food chain.
OEFFA’s can’t-miss conference offers up to six days of learning, sharing, and networking for farmers, gardeners, homesteaders, and others committed to local food, sustainable agriculture, and green living.
This online event will feature educational workshop video sessions, inspiring keynote speakers, in-depth Food and Farm School classes, an interactive virtual trade show, and fun and engaging networking opportunities.
Beyond all of the top-notch education this conference will provide, the Socio app and online event platform easily allow you to join by computer or phone, organize your schedule, interact with vendors, message other attendees, play games, share contact information, and re-watch recorded sessions.
Conference Schedule
Wednesday, February 10
| 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. | Food and Farm School |
| 7:00-8:30 p.m. | Welcome, Keynote Address with Will Harris Presented by Turner Farm |
Thursday, February 11
| 1:00-2:00 p.m. | Workshop Session I |
| 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Workshop Session II |
Friday, February 12
| 9:00-9:30 a.m. | A Conversation with Senator Sherrod Brown |
| 10:00-11:00 a.m. | Workshop Session III |
| 1:00-2:00 p.m. | Workshop Session IV |
| 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Debate: The Future of Certified Organic and Hydroponic Production Presented by Earth Tools |
| 7:00-8:30 p.m. | Organic Farming to Heal a Climate in Crisis with the Real Organic Project |
Saturday, February 13
| 10:00-11:00 a.m. | Workshop Session V |
| 1:00-2:00 p.m. | Workshop Session VI |
| 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Up for Debate: Lab-Grown Meat Presented by Earth Tools |
| 7:00-8:30 p.m. | Announcements, Stewardship Award Presentation to Jan Dawson and Andy Reinhart, Keynote Address with Dr. Elaine Ingham Presented by Turner Farm |
Sunday, February 14
| 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | A Conversation About Faith, Food, and Race with Bp. Marcia Dinkins and Dr. Timothy Van Meter |
| 1:00-2:00 p.m. | Workshop Session VII |
| 4:00-5:00 p.m. | Workshop Session VIII |
| 7:00-8:30 p.m. | Announcements, Service Award Presentation to Steve Edwards, Keynote Address with Navina Khanna Presented by Turner Farm |
Monday, February 15
Community Day for Reflection, Regeneration, and Action
| 10:00-11:00 a.m. | Our Time Is Now: Conversations About 2020 and the Road Ahead |
| 2:30-3:00 p.m. | Kids’ Activity: Write a Letter to the President |
| 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Essential Conversations with OEFFA Changemakers |
Keynote Speakers
Will Harris
Regenerating Land with Livestock
February 10 Keynote Address
Will Harris is a fourth-generation cattleman at White Oak Pastures, recognized as a leader in humane animal husbandry and environmental sustainability.
White Oak Pastures is a 154-year-old family farm in Bluffton, Georgia raising chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guineas, hogs, rabbits, cattle, goats, sheep, and laying hens, along with certified organic vegetables. The farm is Certified Non-GMO, Certified Grassfed, Certified Humane, Certified EOV, and rated Step 4 in the Global Animal Partnership.
White Oak Pastures is committed to regenerative land management, humane animal husbandry, multi-species rotational grazing, and revitalizing their local community. Their zero-waste production system utilizes each part of the animals that they pasture-raise and hand-butcher on farm. The on-farm meat processing facilities, or abattoirs, have allowed them to vertically integrate their production system, control the quality of their products, and hire 165 employees, making them the largest private employer in the county. Their USDA-inspected beef abattoir, designed by Temple Grandin, is only the second of its kind in the United States, and their USDA-inspected poultry abattoir, is the only one in Georgia and the region available for pastured poultry.
Will has previously served as the Beef Director of the American Grassfed Association and president of the board of directors of Georgia Organics. He was named 2011 Georgia Business Person of the Year. White Oak Pastures is one of only 23 global Savory Hubs.
Dr. Elaine Ingham
Soil vs. Dirt: Connecting Plant and Human Microbiomes
February 13 Keynote Address
Dr. Elaine Ingham is founder and president of Soil Food Web and director of Soil Food Web School. For the past four decades, she has pioneered research in the field of soil biology and is widely recognized as the world’s foremost soil biologist.
Her goal is to empower farmers to restore the ecological functions of living soils all over the world, ensuring healthy, strong plants and nutritious food, while eliminating soil erosion and the need for chemical inputs.
She has a master’s in microbiology from Texas A&M University and a Ph.D. in microbiology from Colorado State University. Elaine served as chief scientist at The Rodale Institute from 2011-2013. She has previously served as a professor of forest science, botany, and plant pathology at Oregon State University, affiliate professor of sustainable living at Maharishi University of Management, adjunct faculty at Southern Cross University, visiting professor at Melbourne University, and program chair of the Ecological Society of America.
She is author of the USDA’s Soil Biology Primer, The Compost Tea Brewing Manual, The Soil Foodweb, and other publications.
Navina Khanna
Rooted, Ready, and Resilient:
Cultivating a Movement for Crisis-Proof Food Systems
February 14 Keynote Address
Navina Khanna has dedicated more than 15 years to creating a more just and sustainable world through transforming food systems.
She is Director of HEAL Food Alliance, which works to build collective power to create food and farm systems that are healthy for families, accessible and affordable to communities, and fair to the people who grow, distribute, prepare, and serve food.
With a background in sustainable agriculture and food justice, she’s worked as an educator, community organizer, and policy advocate, organizing across sectors and communities. Navina serves on the Board of Richmond’s Urban Tilth, advises the Real Food Media Project, and organizes with #Asians4BlackLives.
A first-generation South Asian American, Navina’s worldview is shaped by growing up and growing food in India and the U.S. She previously worked with other people of color committed to food system change to launch the HOPE (Health for Oakland’s People and Environment) Collaborative. In 2011, she coordinated Food and Freedom Rides, traveling 3,000 miles across the country to honor the 50th anniversary of the civil rights movement’s Freedom Rides and bring attention to food-related injustices.
She holds a master’s in international agricultural development from the University of California at Davis, where she also helped to develop the first undergraduate major in sustainable agriculture at a land-grant university.
In 2014, her work was recognized with a James Beard Leadership Award.
Keynotes presented by:
The Virtual Conference Environment
We are excited to host our conference on Socio. Socio is a mobile and web app platform that easily allows you to watch video sessions on demand through March 31.
FOOD AND FARM SCHOOL CLASSES
Wednesday, February 10—10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ET
Not included in general registration. $50 members/$75 non-members
The Soil Food Web: Structure and Function
World renowned soil biologist Dr. Elaine Ingham will lead an in-depth, three-part exploration of the soil food web and strategies for making it work for you. The first part will lay the foundation by exploring how the correct soil biology can dramatically help desired plants, and the six benefits to plants from a healthy soil food web. In the second part of the class, Elaine will turn theory into practice you can use. She’ll describe how to measure microbes, what makes plants healthy, and share techniques for getting your soil food web established and functioning. She’ll conclude by giving real world examples showcasing the ways in which people learned what was wrong with their soil and how they managed to balance their soil organisms.
Happy Pigs Taste Better
What does it take to raise a happy pig? Ethically managing pigs requires an understanding of their natural behavior, including factors such as social grouping, mating, territory, housing, and, of course, their love of wallowing in the mud. Successfully managing pigs requires an understanding of what hogs need in their diet to grow and thrive, the role pasturing plays in hog nutrition and welfare, and how to keep hogs healthy without resorting to synthetic medications. This workshop led by hog farmer and Fedco Seeds Organic Growers Supply division manager Alice Percy provides an in-depth introduction to raising happy pigs.
Raw Milk Risk Management
Raw milk produced for the processor is different from raw milk for the people. Raw milk intended for direct human consumption must be produced with careful intention in order to be a healthy, safe food which benefits both the consumers and the farmers.
This Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI) training day focuses on the benefits of raw milk, grass-to-glass identification of risks, development of a risk management plan, and lessons learned from other raw milk dairies. This training has been shown to reduce outbreaks and illnesses, increase safety, and lower insurance costs.
Speakers include Mark McAfee, RAWMI Chairman and Owner of Organic Pastures Dairy in California; Sarah Smith, RAWMI Director and Board Secretary; Joseph Heckman, PhD, RAWMI Director and Professor of Soil Science at Rutgers University; and Edwin Shank, owner of The Family Cow dairy in Pennsylvania.
FEATURED CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
Jo Ann Baumgartner
Jo Ann Baumgartner is the executive director of Wild Farm Alliance (WFA). She is the author of many publications on biodiversity conservation and agriculture, covering topics like beneficial birds, conservation mandates within the National Organic Program, and the co-management of food safety and conservation. Before joining WFA in 2001, she was an organic farmer and senior research editor for a book on California’s rare wildlife species.
Dave Dowling
Dave Dowling has helped advise cut flower growers across the country as a sales representative at Ball Horticulture and Ednie Flower Bulb. He has more than 20 years experience as a cut flower farmer in Maryland, selling year-round at farmers markets, grocery stores, florists, and designers. Dave has served as President, Industry Liaison, and Mid-Atlantic Regional Director for the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers.
Kamyar Enshayan
In the early days of OEFFA, member Kamyar Enshayan wrote the beloved “Ask Dr. Head-in-the Sand Twisted” column for OEFFA’s newsletter. He now lives in north- east Iowa where he works to strengthen the region’s local food economy. He is an agricultural engineer by training and helps his students understand why we need food system transformation everywhere, but especially in the Midwest.
Joel Gruver
Dr. Joel Gruver is an Associate Professor of Soil Science and Sustainable Agriculture at Western Illinois University (WIU). He is the Director of the WIU Organic Research Program and conducts large scale replicated field experiments each year at the WIU Organic Research Farm, where he examines cover crops, nutrient sources, crop genetics, weed control practices, and solar corridors in organic cropping systems.
Alice Percy
For 10 years, Alice Percy operated a commercial hog operation, becoming the largest certified hog producer in Maine. Alice has mentored hog farmers through the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), presented workshops on organic hog husbandry at MOFGA events and the annual Northeast Organic Farmers Association summer conference, and served on the MOFGA board. She currently works as the manager of the Organic Growers Supply division at Fedco Seeds.
Holly Ripon-Butler
As the National Young Farmer Coalition’s Land Access Director, Holly Ripon-Butler works to ensure that current and future generations of farmers have access to land on which they can support a career in agriculture. Holly grew up on her family’s multi-generation dairy and beef farm in upstate New York, where she continues to farm with her parents.
Mark Schultz
For 32 years, Mark Schultz has led numerous successful farm and rural organizing campaigns at the Land Stewardship Project, including development, passage, and implementation of the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. He has been a leader in building the power of Minnesota’s progressive movement and served in key roles with national racial, economic, and environmental justice organizations.
Erin Silva
Dr. Erin Silva is an Associate Professor in the Plant Pathology Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her work focuses on sustainable and organic cropping systems, including cover crops, no-till production, variety selection, and the impact of organic management on the soil. Erin has launched an organic grain training program, OGRAIN, for farmers in the upper Midwest and serves on the Wisconsin Organic Advisory Council.
CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
Included in general registration. Re-watch recorded workshops until March 31. Workshops are subject to change. Workshop descriptions are available here.
Workshop Session I: 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Advocating for Organic—Patty Lovera, Organic Farmers Association
Three Practical Strategies to Improve Access to Fruits and Vegetables Among Vulnerable Populations—Kamyar Enshayan, University of Northern Iowa
Proven Strategies for Profitable Urban Agriculture—Lisa Helm Hancock, Dayton Urban Grown Cooperative
Setting Up an Efficient Seed Starting Workspace—George Mertz, Patchwork Gardens
Utilizing Side-Dressed Swine Manure in Organic Corn—Eric Richer and Glen Arnold, The Ohio State University Extension
Poultry Disease Diagnosis—Mohamed El-Gazzar, Iowa State University
When Your Cows are Tired of Hearing About It: Addressing Farmer Mental Health—Kelly Cabral, The Ohio State University
Growing and Thriving on E-Commerce for Farmers’ Markets—Ross Olsen and Sam Sharkey, Ohio Farmers’ Market Network
Workshop Session II: 4:30-5:30 p.m. ET
Creating Fair, Democratic Workplaces: Walking Our Talk—Liz Henderson, Agricultural Justice Project
Tips and Tools for On-Farm Research—Cassy Brown and Elizabeth Hawkins, The Ohio State University
Soil Lead: Myths and Facts—Alyssa Zearley, The Ohio State University
Pivoting from Tillage to No-Till Practices in Vegetable Production—Matt Herbruck, Birdsong Farm
Farming with the Grain—Mark Dobson, reMARKable Farms
Live Question and Answer with Will Harris—Will Harris, White Oak Pastures
Practical Biogas Systems for Home and Small Farms—Matt Steiman, Dickinson College Farm
COVID and Organic Agriculture: One Year Later—Kellee James and Megan Thomas, Mercaris
Workshop Session III: 10:00-11:00 a.m. ET
Opportunity in Crisis: Building Power for a Sustainable and Just Food System in Ohio—Tevis Foreman, Produce Perks Midwest, Jaime Hadji, Ohio Farmers’ Market Network, Amalie Lipstreu, OEFFA, Amy Bodiker Baskes, Ohio Food Policy Network, Brian Estabrook, Franklin County Economic Development and Planning
Organic Machinery for No-Till and Weed Control—Jos Pelgröm, Treffler Man@Machine
Reliable, Restorative Harvests: Securing Supply with Easy-to-Grow, Nutritious Foods and Herbs—Barbara Utendorf, Wilmington College
Successful Succession Planting and Planning for the Flower Holidays—Dave Dowling, Ball Seed
Organic Perennial Grain Crops for Grain and Forage—Steve Culman, The Ohio State University Extension
Pasture-Based Livestock: Advancing Ecological, Economic, and Emotional Resilience—Paul Dorrance, Pastured Providence
Ohio AgrAbility: Assistive Technology to Keep You Farming— Laura Akgerman and Rachel Jarman, Ohio AgrAbility
Do Private Carbon Markets Make Sense for Farmers or the Climate?—Colin Mitchell, National Center for Appropriate Technology, Ben Lilliston, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Workshop Session IV: 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
The Right to Grow: Working at the Local Level to Expand Urban Agriculture—Brittany Jones, University of Toledo
Compost Quest for Glory: Exploring Newly Developed Methods— Nathan Rutz, Rust Belt Riders Composting
Heritage Meat Rabbits for the Homestead and Small Farm—Jerah Pettibone, Pettibone Urban Game
Irrigation System Design for Organic Production—Evan Axelbaum, Front Axle Farm
Organic Grain Market Outlook— Megan Thomas, Mercaris
Forage Grasses and the Impact on Birdsfoot Trefoil—Nathan Blake, West Virginia University
Civic Agriculture in a Food Desert: Healthy Living in Bronzeville—Julialynne Walker, Bronzeville Growers Market
E-Commerce Solutions for Direct-Marketing Farms—Michael Parker, National Young Farmers Coalition
Workshop Session V: 10:00-11:00 a.m. ET
A Bigger Food Movement: Building and Maintaining Broader Coalitions—Brennan Grayson, Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center and the Good Food Cincinnati Coalition
Organic Seeds and You: Insights from the Seed World—Daniel Eggert, High Mowing Organic Seeds
Incorporating Native Plants in Your Landscapes—Dianne Kadonaga, Sunny Glen Garden
Using Shade Cloth and Sprinklers to Mitigate Summer Heat for Leafy Greens—Michelle Nowak, Franklinton Farms, Tim McDermott, The Ohio State University Extension
Intensifying Cover Crops in Organic Grain Systems through Interseeding—Erin Silva, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Happy Pigs Taste Better—Alice Percy, Fedco Seeds
Breathwork For Building Resilience—Christian Totty, LOAM Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine
Marketing Organic Products in Ohio—Monica Bongue-Bartelsman, Muddy Fork Farm
Workshop Session VI: 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Building OEFFA’s Impact on the Food and Farm System—Mark Schultz
Life in the Soil: The Soil Food Web’s Five Over-Arching Principles—Elaine Ingham, Soil Food Web
Foraging: It’s Not Just for the Wilderness—Alexis Nikole Nelson, Black Forager
Growing Late Season Tomatoes Using Suckers vs. Seeds—Guy and Sandy Ashmore, That Guy’s Family Farm
Crop Rotation: Evolving, Not Revolving, for Improved Management—Joel Gruver, Western Illinois University
How Dairy Farms Can Thrive in Our Changing World—Mark McAfee, Organic Pastures Dairy
Mulberry: An Easy Fruit and Forage Crop for Any Farm—Weston Lombard, Solid Ground Farm
What’s Your Break Even Price?—Ellen Polishuk, Plant to Profit
Workshop Session VII: 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. ET
Getting Your Hands Dirty: Fighting Polluting Energy Projects in Our Communities—Rose Monahan and Lauren Ketcham, Friends of Perry State Forest
Supporting Beneficial Birds and Managing Pest Birds—Jo Ann Baumgartner, Wild Farm Alliance
Gardening: Where to Start, Where to Finish—Deb Knapke, GardenComm
Successional Planting in High Tunnels—Dana Hilfinger, Central State University
Integrating Steel and Ecology for Better Weed Management— Joel Gruver, Western Illinois University
Adding Livestock Guardian Dogs to Your Farm: Things to Know—Keba Hitzeman, Innisfree on the Stillwater
Natural Building and Remodeling Home Tour—Nick Leone
Diversify Smarter, Not Harder—Alexis Dragovich, Mud Run Farm, Chelsea Gandy, Fox Hollow Farm
Workshop Session VIII: 4:00-5:00 p.m. ET
Land Access: Advocacy Tools You Can Use—Holly Rippon-Butler, National Young Farmers Coalition
Your Farm Can Cool the Climate—Glenn Gall
Pesticides Wintering in Your Hives—Michele Colopy, LEAD for Pollinators
Growing Organic Gourmet Garlic in Midwest Climates—Rod and Jennifer Sharpnack, Family Roots Farm
Soil Health Economics in an Organic System—Jim Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health Services
Expanding Appalachia Ohio’s Artisanal Meat Production—Leslie Schaller, ACEnet
Achieving Personal Food Sovereignty through Community— Sherry Chen, Andelain Fields
Online and Social Media Marketing: Where Do You Belong?—Angela Blatt, The Ohio State University Initiative for Food and AgriCultural Transformation, Lyndsey and Seth Teter, Six Buckets Farm
SPECIAL EVENTS
Organic Farming
to Heal a Climate in Crisis
with the Real Organic Project
Friday, February 12—7:00-8:30 p.m. ET
Included in general registration
Organic farming is one of the most powerful tools we have for building a prosperous future in the face of the climate crisis. That future demands a food system rooted in the soil and based on integrity and transparency. In this very special presentation, the Real Organic Project’s Linley Dixon and Dave Chapman share video from the Real Organic Symposium featuring pre-recorded interviews with some of our movement’s brightest minds and most passionate advocates as they reflect on the organic movement’s beginnings, and the connections between organic farming and addressing climate change.
A Conversation with Senator Sherrod Brown
Friday, February 12—9:00-9:30 a.m. ET
Included in general registration
OEFFA welcomes Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) for a recorded message about the issues that matter most to OEFFA members. After brief opening remarks, Senator Brown will answer preselected questions from OEFFA members about agriculture, food access, and policy. After viewing the message from the Senator, join us for a brief conversation about the issues discussed and share your reactions or any additional questions you have for the Senator.
Senator Brown was first elected to the Senate in 2006 and serves on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, where he has been instrumental in strengthening the farm safety net and addressing childhood hunger. He was recognized by OEFFA in 2018 with the Food and Farm Champion Award for his consistent work supporting investments in local and regional food systems that contribute to farmer viability, job creation, and improved public health.
Included in general registration
OEFFA is excited to offer two thought-provoking conversations presented by Earth Tools.
The Future of Certified Organic and Hydroponic Production: A Congenial Debate
Few questions have stirred up the organic community as much as this one: Can hydroponic farming systems be certified organic?
During this substantive and thoughtful “Oxford debate,” Dave Chapman, Executive Director of the Real Organic Project, and Kelly Damewood, CEO of California Certified Organic Farmers, will share their distinct positions on whether hydroponics can be consistent with organic principles and what our path forward on this contentious issue should be.
Dave and Kelly will each offer an opening statement in support or opposition of the resolution: “The future of certified organic production includes hydroponics.” The moderator and audience members will then be able to ask questions, and each will make a closing statement. The audience’s position on the resolution will be polled before and after the debate to determine which side was able to change the most minds.
Up for Debate: Lab-Grown Meat
Many companies all over the world are developing “meat” products from animal cells cultured in laboratories. In December, Singapore approved lab-grown “chicken” for public consumption, becoming the first country to allow cultured meat to enter its commercial food supply. Advocates promote this technology as environmentally-friendly and cruelty-free, but many questions remain about the veracity of these claims, the safety of this technology, and the regulatory environment it will be subject to.
We hoped to host a robust debate about the promises and pitfalls of lab-grown meat, but proponents declined to participate. Instead, Center for Food Safety Policy Director Jaydee Hanson will seed the conversation with an overview of the technologies involved, where they are in development, how they may or may not be regulated, and what we know and do not know about their impacts on the environment, animal welfare, and human health.
Children’s Activities
Included in general registration
The OEFFA conference is for kids too! OEFFA’s Youth Agricultural Education Chapter is organizing 1 live event and 5 on-demand activities for our youngest farmers and foodies. Children do not need to register separately to attend.
Write a letter to the president on Monday, February 15 or enjoy activities anytime like story time with Chapter President Josh Stephens, a digital escape barn and dungeon, or answer regenerative agriculture trivia.
Mini-NCR-SARE Farmers Forum
Included in general registration
OEFFA is proud to host a mini North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR- SARE) Farmers Forum! Workshops describing projects funded by the NCR-SARE Program are found throughout the conference workshop schedule, featuring topics like meat rabbits, using suckers for late season tomatoes, value-added processing for meat, and mulberry production.
A Community Day for
Reflection, Regeneration, and Action
The final day of conference reserves time for reflection and action. Hear one-on-one interviews with OEFFA changemakers and and essential conversations with diverse voices in the food system about their experiences this year and what they are doing to prepare for 2021. You’ll also have the opportunity to share your feedback and ideas for building collective strength and developing a new strategic plan to guide OEFFA’s work.
Our Time Is Now: Conversations About 2020 and the Road Ahead
Monday, February 15—10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. ET
Included in general registration
2020 has been a hard year for all of us. From the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastation of lives, businesses, and social fabric, to the killing of George Floyd, the ensuing protests, and the urgency and awareness it created around long standing injustices, all of us have lost this year, all of us have faced uncertainty, and all of us persevered. In our perseverance we learned, we grew, and we now look ahead to a world that will never be the same and we have no choice but to try and shape for the better. In that spirit of reflection and action, OEFFA will host a series of four panels on the final day of conference featuring a diverse array of people from all over our food system. We will ask them how their year went, what they faced, how they adapted, what gives them hope, and how they plan to move forward stronger.
Panel 1 Presenters: Jonathan Gingerich, Yonie’s Greenhaus, Ben Bebenroth, Spice Companies, Sasha Sigetic, Hocking College Agroecology Program, Black Locust Livestock & Herbal (Moderator: Julia Barton)
Panel 2 Presenters: Adrienne Williams, Growing and Growth Collective, Drausin Wulsin, Grassroots Farm and Foods, Dave Sokoll, Oberlin Food Hub (Moderator: Rachel Tayse)
Panel 3 Presenters: Rose Smith, Organic Valley, Erin Harvey, Keller Market House, Lancaster Farmers Market, Sophia Buggs, Lady Buggs Farm
Panel 4 Presenters: Beth Knorr, Summit Food Coalition, Ted Stutz, Ohio Earth Food, Richard Stewart, Carriage House Farm (Moderator: Eric Pawlowski)
Essential Conversations with OEFFA Changemakers
Monday, February 15—4:30-5:30 p.m. ET
Included in general registration
One of the most inspiring things about OEFFA is our members’ passion, dedication, and unique stories. It may be cliché to say, but it is fundamentally true that we cannot do what we do without you. To drive this point home, and simply to have an excuse to chat with some of the insightful folks who make OEFFA what it is, our staff have recorded interviews with a few of the OEFFA members who have shown up for us over the years to learn more about what inspires them. Watch discussions with Walter Bonham of The Food Lab in Richland County, Emily Jackle of Mile Creek Farm in Montgomery County, Angela Schriver of Schriver Organics in Lorain County, Jordan Settlage of Settlage & Settlage Dairy in Auglaize County, and Bob O’Neil of Village Bakery & Cafe in Athens County. These are folks whom we rely on to move our work forward, and we think you should get to know them.
EXHIBIT HALL
Visiting exhibitors is easier than ever! Just click on the online trade show to find a diversity of vendors, offering you a one-stop shopping experience. You’ll find businesses that can help you find your market, products that you can use on your farm or in your backyard, services that will help your farm or homestead succeed, quality locally-produced merchandise for your pantry and home, and useful information from knowledgeable nonprofit and educational institutions.
The online experience makes it simple to send an instant request for more information, and you can even sort the exhibitor list if you are searching for specific goods or services. Grab informational handouts, watch educational videos, and connect to online stores. Learn more about the conference’s virtual exhibit hall and networking features here.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Getting your hands on OEFFA swag is now easier than ever, just in time for the holidays and in anticipation of OEFFA’s first online conference!
CLOZTALK, an online merchandise business set up to help raise not-for-profit awareness, selected OEFFA as one of its charities. A wide selection of branded clothing—t-shirts, hoodies, trucker baseball caps, and much more—is available. Shopping and delivery are made easy, and OEFFA receives a share of CLOZTALK’s net profits.
ACRES USA Bookstore
We know the OEFFA book table is a big part of the annual conference trade show experience, and this year OEFFA is excited to still bring you a comprehensive selection of books right at your fingertips…virtually! OEFFA is partnering with Acres USA to offer books from Chelsea Green Publishing and many others, so you’ll be able to order many of the same great farming and food-related titles.
OUR SPONSORS
The Andersons
Columbus Irrigation Company
High Mowing Seeds
Farm and Dairy
Farm Aid
The Fertrell Company
KULT Kress
Mercaris
Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance
Ohio Earth Food
Organic Valley CROPP Cooperative
Agroecosystems Management Program (AMP), CFAES, OSU
Initiative for Food and AgriCultural Transformation (InFACT)
OSU Organic Food and Farming Education and Research (OFFER)
Eban’s Bakehouse
Five Rivers MetroParks
Jorgensen Farms
Kevin Morgan Studio
Nature’s Path Foods
OEFFA Grain Growers Chapter
Plant Talk Radio
Shagbark Seed & Mill
Treffler Man@Machine
Western Reserve Distillers
Dayton Urban Green
Dayton Urban Grown
Nourse Farms
Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI)
OSU AgrAbility Program
Rosebud’s Real Food
Snowville Creamery
Stauf’s Coffee Roasters
Weston A. Price Foundation
Conference Champions: Audrey Albright, Wesley Anderson, Jennifer Angone, Amy Baskes, James Bidigare, Ann Brandt, Anne Brosnan, Bryna Chandler, Jeanne Duckett, Britton Devier, Diantha Duren, Steve Edwards, Carol Eichert, Brian Gardener, Ben and Michelle Gibbons, Erin Harvey, Christine Hughes, Susie Huser, Bob Huston, Ben Jackle, Katie Jesurun, David Karikomi, Eef Kolkman, Nick Leone, Tony Logan, Sean McGovern, Dean McIlvaine, George Mertz, Jeff Molnar, Logan Morrow, The Procter Center, Tobert Rocheford, Harv Roehling, Judy Sauer, Helen Sites, Carol Smathers, Vernon Smith, Edward Snavely, Richard Stewart, Jessica Tingey, Mardy Townsend, Kim Whitehead, Anna Wolak, Drausin Wulsin, Cori Yaeger
Conference artwork created by Kevin Morgan Studio. Conference photography provided by Ed Chen.
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association
41 Croswell Rd.
Columbus OH 43214
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orgOEFFA:(614) 421-2022 (614) 421-2022
OEFFA Certification:(614) 262-2022 (614) 262-2022