Workshop to help Ohio farmers meet growing demand for organic food

Ohio Farm Bureau Federation

Published on 11/11/2008

Increasing demand for organic food is presenting new opportunities for Ohio farmers. “Organics 101: An Introduction to Organic Crop Production” will present the latest and best recommendations for farmers who are considering the transition to organic crop production. Any Ohio farmer who is looking for information on organic crop production is welcome to attend this comprehensive workshop.

This full day workshop is presented by the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA), a non-profit education organization, and the Ohio State University Organic Food & Farming Education and Research (OFFER) Program, a nationally recognized leader in organic farming research. This workshop will be held at the Bromfield Administration Building, on the Ohio Department of Agriculture campus, in Reynoldsburg on Dec. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We have seen tremendous growth in the demand for organic foods over the past decade. More and more Ohio farmers are considering organic production to help meet this demand and take advantage of the economic opportunity that it provides,” said Carol Goland, executive director of OEFFA. “Even if a farmer is just wondering if organics might be right for their operation, this workshop will be a great place to start.”

The program presenters will include OSU agriculture researchers and experienced organic farmers. Participants will learn about the organic certification standards and the certification process, soil biology, crop rotations and pest management in organic cropping systems. The economics of organic production, sources for approved production inputs, and the marketing of organic crops will also be covered. University scientists and farmers will lead sessions on these and other topics and will answer questions from farmers considering organic production.

Preregistration for this workshop is $30 if received by Nov. 18, and $35 after Nov. 18. Lunch will be served at no additional charge.

For registration information, contact Mike Anderson, at (614) 421-2022, or e-mail mike@oeffa.org . Registration information is also available from OEFFA, 41 Croswell Rd., Columbus, OH, 43214.

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