Ohio Organic Farmer Research Network

Curious mind?

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.

Online Meetings

We meet monthly on the first Thursday of each month at noon. Guests may sign in on a computer or call in from any phone.

In-Person Events

  • We host workshops throughout the year in partnership with various farming events. Join us to develop your research questions and the partnerships, ideas, and resources to get them answered.  There is no cost to attend these events and a meal will be provided. Thanks to a USDA OREI grant, a limited number of participant stipends are available to defray costs of attending (childcare, additional farm labor, travel costs, etc.). 

Interested? 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

A group of university staff and farmers discuss possible perennial fruit research topics during the 2023 OEFFA conference. word cloud of questionsReport out of small group discussion

Images from 2023 OEFFA Conference event. Small groups gathered to brainstorm researchable topics in different areas, which were then shared with the group.