Past Events

Spring 2013

OFFER Seminar Series continues with another half-day symposium with OSU and outside researchers and will be held on the OSU OARDC Wooster campus.

Autumn 2012

The Autumn OFFER meeting is shaping up to be a significant event for us, so please reserve the date of NOVEMBER 1. The meeting, which will be held at the Shisler Conference Center in Wooster, will be a summit for stakeholders and researchers to discuss the future of organic farming and how we can anticipate the research and education needs to help producers and processors be successful.

National and regional organic leaders have been invited to present forward-looking perspectives on the industry. Speakers will discuss future market trends, consumer demand, policy and regulatory issues, production/processing challenges, and the proposed Organic Research and Promotion Program, all with an eye towards identifying future research opportunities. The summit is meant to a) provide organic producers/processors with information about the future business environment, b) help university researchers/educators anticipate areas of future needs for the industry, as well as funding prospects to support that work, and c) create opportunities for partnerships among organizations, their members, and university personnel engaged in organic research and education.

Among the confirmed speakers are:
Laura Batcha, Executive Vice-President, Organic Trade Association
Maureen Wilmot, Executive Director, Organic Farming Research Foundation
Mike Anderson, Sustainable Agriculture Educator, Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association
Deborah Stinner, Panel Manager, USDA-OREI program

  1. OSU Extension Mid-Ohio Small Farm Conference

    Mar 11, 2023, 8:30am - 3:00pm

    Ohio State Extension announced plans to host a Small Farm Conference in Mansfield Ohio on March 11, 2023. The theme for this year’s Mid-Ohio Small Farm Conference is “Sowing Seeds for Success.” Conference session topics are geared to beginning and small farm owners as well as to farms looking to diversify their operation. There will be five different conference tracks including: Farm Office, Horticulture and Produce Production, Livestock, Agritourism/ Marketing, Natural Resources.

  2. Organic Farmer Researcher Network: Blue Owl Hollow vs. Ailanthus altissima: Lessons from the Fray

    Mar 2, 2023, 12:00pm - 1:00pm

    When Janell Baran and her husband purchased their forest farm property in the late 1990s, it came with some unwelcome guests: large infestations of invasive woody plants such as Ailanthus (aka Tree-of-Heaven), Japanese barberry, Oriental bittersweet, and multiflora rose. Using a 2007 SARE Farmer-Rancher grant, she trialed non-chemical control measures to be used particularly on Ailanthus altissima.

  3. DIY Organic On-Farm Research Workshop

    Feb 16, 2023, 10:00am - 4:00pm

    Join us at the 2023 OEFFA Conference for a day-long workshop to launch your own on-farm research ideas. Work with others to develop research questions and the partnerships, ideas, and resources to get them answered. We’ll even discuss available funding sources like the upcoming Warner Grants program. There is no cost to attend this event and lunch will be provided. Sign up by January 31, 2023 at go.osu.edu/oeffa23 or call 330-263-3634.

  4. Organic Farmer Researcher Network: Climate Resilient Silvopasture

    Feb 2, 2023, 12:00pm - 1:00pm

    Climate Resilient Silvopasture Project in Ross County

  5. Organic Farmer Researcher Network January Meeting

    Jan 5, 2023, 12:00pm - 1:00pm

    Choosing and Evaluating Seed Varieties to Meet your Market Needs: A Grower Panel and Discussion

  6. OSU Extension Organic Grains Conference

    Jan 4, 2023 through Jan 5, 2023, 1:00pm - 5:00pm

    Are you a current, transitioning, new-to organic grain farmer, or a crop consultant? Registration is LIVE for the 2023 Ohio Organic Grains Conference on January 4th (1-5:30pm) & 5th (8am-5pm) in Archbold, OH. We have an exceptional line-up of speakers for the event including keynotes Joel Gruver, Western Illinois University, and Lea Vereecke, Rodale Institute.

  7. Organic Farmer Researcher Network Meeting

    Dec 1, 2022, 12:00pm - 1:00pm

    Agenda Hirzel Farms Cover Crop Trial Update Connection Details

  8. Organic Farmer Research Network Meeting

    Nov 3, 2022, 12:00pm - 1:00pm

    Agenda National Organic Standards Board meeting highlights SARE Grant Summary / OEFFA Conference Workshop update  Connection Details

  9. Organic Farmer-Research Network group planning meeting

    Sep 1, 2022, 12:00pm - 1:00pm

    We would like to discuss planning an event for the OEFFA Conference's Thursday schedule.  https://osu.zoom.us/j/95022597557?pwd=Q1IxUEFHR0NhdGhrZ3R0QTFJa2ZOdz09

  10. Hirzel Farms Cover Crop Trial Discussion

    Aug 4, 2022, 12:00pm - 1:00pm

    When faced with a bare piece of cropland, our friends at Hirzel Farms in Luckey, Ohio, set up a cover crop trial using a custom mix. Bridget Burgess and Lou Kozma will walk us through what they chose and why. Come join in conversation about what we might learn from this trial and how it might be replicated at other farms.

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