Join other curious minds in the Organic Farmer Researcher Network
The Organic Farmer Researcher Network is a growing group of organic and transitioning farmers, agricultural professionals, and researchers who meet regularly to discuss emerging issues, possible projects, and recent or ongoing research. Our group is collaboratively facilitated by staff at OEFFA, Ohio State, and Central State universities, but is intended to be farmer-focused and farmer-led. Participation is open to anyone with an interest.
2025 Fall Farmer Exchanges
We are organizing several opportunities to see farmer-led research in progress at farms around the state. Please plan to join us for discussion and discovery.
Monthly Meetings
During the winter months we meet monthly on the first Thursday at noon. Guests may sign in on a computer or call in from any phone.
-
See a list of past or upcoming speakers and connection instructions here.
- Access recordings of past presentations here.
- Sign up for reminders of upcoming events here.
Monthly Newlsetter
We share a monthly newsletter with upcoming events of interest, grant program deadliens, and opportunities to participate in research. Email Cassy Brown to sign up or share news of interest to this network.
Working Groups
Based on our meetings, workshops, and conversations we have created several working groups around farmer-led research ideas. These working groups can be used to compare observations across farms, develop projects and grant proposals, or simply explore topics. Participation is open to anyone with an interest. OOFRN provides group facilitators to help schedule meetings, take notes, and locate resources from our three institutions and beyond.
In-Person Events
We host workshops in partnership with various farming events. Working in small groups of farmers, educators, and researchers, our facilitators walk participants through developing research questions and the partnerships, ideas, and resources to get them answered. There is no cost to attend these events and a meal is provided. Thanks to a USDA OREI grant, a limited number of participant stipends are available to defray costs of attending.
Interested in hosting an event or have other questions? Please contact one of our group leaders:
Cassy Brown | Ohio State | 330-263-3634 | brown.1844@osu.edu
Johnnie Speicher | OEFFA | 614-947-1647 | johnnie@oeffa.org
Denise Natoli Brooks | Central State | 937-831-5995 | dbrooks@centralstate.edu
Our work is partially sponsored by a USDA-NIFA Organic Research Extension Initiative grant Building Partnerships for Farmer-led Organic REsearch in Ohio. For more information https://cris.nifa.usda.gov/cgi-bin/starfinder/0?path=fastlink1.txt&id=anon&pass=&search=R=100400&format=WEBFMT6NT
Images from 2023 OEFFA Conference event. Small groups gathered to brainstorm researchable topics in different areas, which were then shared with the group.