OEFFA News

Columbus, OH—The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association will present its 5th Annual Dinner Celebration at Maplestar Farm Sunday, August 25. The organization will mark its 40th anniversary with a fun and delicious evening hosted by Maplestar farmers Jake and Dawn Trethewey. The Tretheweys will lead guided tours of the farm as guests enjoy delicious bites of summer in the field and at the table. Maplestar Farm and The Driftwood Group will once again collaborate on a fabulous farm-to-table menu of small plates to showcase a diversity of Ohio flavors, all paired with Great Lakes Beers and Wente Vineyards wines. Tickets are $70 and include drinks for the evening. They…

Columbus, OH—The Farmers’ Table returns to Jorgensen Farms Sunday, August 4, with a special menu crafted by Jorgensen Farms Head Chef Alonzo Horn. Surrounded by picturesque Jorgensen Farms, diners will enjoy a social hour with local drinks, and a lush assortment of hors d’oeuvres before sitting down to three full-service courses. Ingredients will be carefully sourced from OEFFA farmers, and Land-Grant Brewing Company will thoughtfully pair their beers with each course. Chef Horn’s special menu will envision a New Ohio Farmers’ Cuisine focused on what Ohio’s finest small, sustainable farmers are bringing to market in 2019. “Every year Ohio’s farmers show their passion, skill, and innovation in growing and selling…

For Immediate Release: June 5, 2019 Contact: Amalie Lipstreu, OEFFA Policy Director, (614) 421-2022, amalie@oeffa.org Lauren Ketcham, OEFFA Communications Coordinator, (614) 421-2022, lauren@oeffa.org Columbus, OH—The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS) recently released its five-year, comprehensive survey of U.S. agriculture, the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Using that data, the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) has published an analysis, “Ohio Agriculture: The Changing Contours of Farming,” which illustrates important trends and opportunities for growth and investment in Ohio agriculture. “The new NASS data reveals ongoing challenges, like an aging farmer population and consolidation in agriculture, but also very positive growth in the number of beginning…

Columbus, OH—The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association celebrates 40 years of engagement with farmers, homesteaders, gardeners, activists and food lovers in 2019. The organization has planned a year’s worth of special events to commemorate the milestone. Special 40th anniversary events this summer and fall include farm-to-table dinners at Jorgensen Farms and Maplestar Farm in August, an all-Ohio keg tapping at Fibonacci Brewing Company in Mt. Healthy in October, and a November open house, which will be featured in the 2019 Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop Series. “We’re thrilled to celebrate 40 years of providing education and assistance to the good farmers who are growing good food on the good…

Columbus, OH—The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) and its partners invite you to stroll through organic vegetable fields, learn about pastured livestock production, consider a career in farming, savor farm-to-table feasts, and take advantage of other learning and networking opportunities during the 2019 Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop Series.      In addition to OEFFA’s 20 summer farm tours, workshops, and special events in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, 26 other events are being presented by The Ohio State University, Arthur Morgan Institute for Community Solutions, Clintonville Farmers’ Market, and the Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance.        “This year’s series is unique because we’re offering many special events celebrating OEFFA’s 40th…

Contact: Carol Goland, Executive Director, (614) 421-2022, cgoland@oeffa.org Lauren Ketcham, Communications Coordinator, (614) 421-2022, lauren@oeffa.org Columbus, OH—A report issued by Ohio Smart Agriculture offers solid solutions to address food security and economic growth in the face of changing and uncertain climate, but falls short in tackling environmental challenges, finds the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA). Ohio Smart Agriculture: Solutions from the Land details critical challenges facing Ohio agriculture, including unpredictable and extreme rainfall events and nutrient runoff leading to algal blooms.    “To our dismay, the report is silent when it comes to the potential of organic farming practices to foster the resilience of Ohio agriculture, address environmental challenges,…

For Immediate Release: February 18, 2019 .  Contact: Carol Goland, OEFFA Executive Director—(614) 421-2022 Ext. 202, cgoland@oeffa.org Lauren Ketcham, OEFFA Communications Coordinator—(614) 421-2022 Ext. 203, lauren@oeffa.org .  Columbus, OH—The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) has named the 2019 recipients of its Stewardship and Service awards. .  Guy and Sandy Ashmore of Clinton County received the Stewardship Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the sustainable agriculture community, and Mike Hogan of Franklin County received the Service Award, which recognizes extraordinary service in support of sustainable agriculture. . The announcements were made February 15-16 in Dayton as part of OEFFA’s 40th annual conference, “Just Farming: The Path Before Us.” . 2019 Stewardship Award…

Columbus, OH— Yesterday afternoon, the Senate passed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, and the House is expected to weigh in on the measure Thursday. If passed by the House and signed by the President, Congress would overcome an impasse that has stalled the 2018 Farm Bill for weeks, agreeing on programs that will serve farmers and the food insecure for years to come. The new farm bill will invest in local and regional foods demanded by the public through the Local Agriculture Market Program and support the next generation of farmers through the Farming Opportunities, Training, and Outreach Program. “OEFFA is very pleased to see permanent, mandatory funding to…