The Organic Farmer Researcher Network is excited to offer a series of tours this fall. This is your chance to see on-farm research in action and be part of the discovery. Please remember that these are farm tours. Dress for the weather and be prepared to walk! Please register to help us plan for adequate parking and refreshments.
October 16, 2025 | 12-6:30 p.m.
On-Farm Mushroom Spawn Production Trial
and optional Agroforestry & Conservation Woods Walk with Rural Action
Janell Baran
Blue Owl Hollow, 6000 Porter Road, Newark, Ohio
12-3 p.m. Technical Woods Walk
12-3 p.m. Beginners' Forest Farming Walk / Mushroom Growing Demos
3-4 p.m. Refreshments and Discussion
4-6:30 p.m. On-Farm Mushroom Spawn Production Trial
Blue Owl Hollow is a 130-acre tree farm managed for biodiversity & conservation as well as the production of forest-farmed goods for sale at local markets. These include log-grown mushrooms, grow-your-own mushroom logs, native herbs (e.g., ramps) and fruits (e.g., pawpaws), among other things. Janell also operates Blue Owl Garden Emporium, a small herb farm nearby.
We will focus our farmer exchange on forest farming and in particular on mushroom production. From 12-3 p.m. we invite experienced forest farmers and educators to join a woods walk led by Janell Baran and Rural Action staff. Janell will provide an overview of Blue Owl Hollow Forest Farm, but the walk will also include a site analysis by Rural Action Forestry. Expect discussion on non-chemical invasive weed management approaches, and the challenges of balancing forest farming with conservation easement requirements.
Beginning or aspiring forest farmers can join a shorter, more basic forest farm walk and gain hands-on experience with mushroom production techniques in the Blue Owl Hollow mushroom yard.
From 4-6:30 p.m. Blue Owl owner Janell Baran and Andy Gedeon of Soulshine Earth will discuss their current study investigating the feasibility of mushroom spawn production on-site vs. purchasing commercially available spawn. The talk will include a demonstration of a DIY small farm-scale spawn production station using either locally sourced fungi or commercial cultures. We'll leave plenty of time for participants to ask questions and compare experiences.
This event is being held in conjunction with Rural Action Forestry’s program providing technical assistance to woodland landowners on agroforestry and wildlife habitat practices such as forest farming, silvopasture, reforestation, wildlife habitat and water quality protection. Participants may attend the Woods Walk, the Research Discussion, or both. Registration is limited due to parking constraints. Carpooling is strongly encouraged!
Questions: Contact Cassy Brown, 330-263-3634, brown.1844@osu.edu
Register Here. Registration is limited due to limited parking and space.
Past Fall Farmer Exchanges
August 1, 2025 | 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Organic Grain Grower Advances in Weed & Manure Management
In conjunction with OEFFA Organic Grain Growers Chapter Meeting
Jim Jacobs
John Jacobs & Son 12640 County Road S., Napoleon, Ohio
Jim Jacobs of John Jacobs & Son will host a farm tour for OEFFA’s Organic Grain Growers Chapter. The farm tour begins at 1:30 p.m., following a meeting at 10 a.m. and a potluck lunch at 11:45. The tour will focus on emerging equipment, recent and current on-farm research, and future on-farm research needs with a primary focus on weed management.
More information on the meeting and potluck lunch at https://grow.oeffa.org/event/oeffa-grain-growers-chapter-chapter-meeting-and-potluck/. The OEFFA Grain Growers Chapter is dedicated to the exchange of ideas and information for organic grain production, processing, and marketing. The chapter welcomes anyone with an interest in organic grain production to attend.
Registration
The farm tour is open to the public. RSVP to Bridget Burgess for potluck.
August 27, 2025 | 1-3 p.m.
Plow-Down vs. Harvest of Leguminous Cover Crops
Scott Myers
Woodlyn Acres Farm 647 S. Kurzen Road, Dalton, Ohio
What are the trade-offs between harvesting or plowing down a leguminous cover crop? A group of five organic farmers in northeast Ohio will be exploring this question as part of the From the Ground Up project, a farmer-led research and collaboration project working to improve on-farm performance of conservation practices in the Midwest. Our host farm Woodlyn Acres Farm has a rich organic rotation which includes 10 different crops. They mindfully apply a variety of other conservation practices for healthier soils, crops, and community. Attendees in August will learn more about the project and have an opportunity to share their own experiences and questions.
Questions: Contact Cassy Brown, 330-263-3634, brown.1844@osu.edu
September 3, 2025 | 6-8 p.m.
Managing Vining Cucurbit Pests with Cover Crops
Henry Peller
Rose Hill Farm 7680 Rose Hill Farm, Roseville, Ohio
Rose Hill Farm is a 125-acre family farm and wildlife habitat in Roseville, OH. Their diversified vegetable operation cultivates about 10 acres. They emphasize soil health and use cover crops, no-till and minimal-till practices. This Farmer Exchange will focus on using cover crops as a pest management tool in vining cucurbits such as watermelon, pumpkin, and squash. Other seasonal and perennial crops will also be available to visit and discuss management techniques.
Questions: Contact Denise Natoli Brooks, 937-831-5995, dbrooks@centralstate.edu
Register here. Registration is limited.