What’s Happening In and Around the State of Ohio Related to Local Foods and Farming!
The Ohio State University Master Gardener volunteer program provides training in a wide range of horticultural topics in return for volunteer hours contributed to community horticulture projects. If you enjoy gardening, learning about gardening and like to share gardening information with others, you may be a good candidate for the Master Gardener program.
The Athens County Extension office is now accepting applications for the 2010 Master Gardener training class. Classes will be on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 9:15 pm. beginning Wednesday February 17 and continuing through Wednesday, April 21. Two Saturday sessions, on March 20 and April 17, each running from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm will also be held. The cost of the Master Gardener training classes is $90, which includes a master gardener manual, refreshments and additional class handouts. The application deadline is January 20. Class size is limited. Contact the Athens County Extension office at 593-8555 for an application and/or more information.
Wednesday-Thursday, January 20-21, 2010
Annual Heart of America Grazing Conference
Grassland farmers across the Midwest looking for the latest production information for their livestock have the opportunity to attend this conference at the Roberts Centre in Wilmington, Ohio.
Ohio State University Extension specialists Steve Loerch and Dave Barker will be discussing forage and grazing management. In addition, the keynote presentation at the opening banquet on Jan. 20 will be "International Grazing.” Speaker Ben Bartlett, a Michigan State University Extension educator, has led several groups on international trips to observe grazing operations.
The presentations on the second day will feature Justin Sexten, University of Missouri Extension beef specialist, who will discuss the eight steps to stretching your pasture; Howard Straub, a pasture-based dairy farmer from Michigan, who will be sharing the economics of his grazing operation; and Ben Bartlett, who will be presenting on “Low Stress Livestock Handling.”
In addition to presentations, there will be breakout sessions focusing on beef, sheep, goat, and dairy and advanced grazing management. Speakers include Katherine Harrison of Blystone Farms, who will discuss direct marketing; Jake Wolfinger, Ohio Young Cattleman of the Year, who will be discussing his use of oats as a late summer and fall forage crop; and Curt Cline, a sheep producer whose farm was selected for the 2008 American Sheep Industry Environmental Stewardship. There will also be a panel discussion of experienced grazing dairy farmers.
For more information on the conference and costs, log on to http://ohioforages.blogspot.com/ or contact OSU Extension educator Jeff McCutcheon at 419-947-1070 or via e-mail mccutheonj@cfaes.osu.edu .
January 26, 2010
Introductory Talk on Permaculture, Part 2 given by Braden Trauth
Come and learn more about permaculture at the University of Cincinnati’s Catskeller Restaurant & Bar located in Tangeman Hall on the first floor (off of UC’s Campus Mainstreet).
January 28th-30th, 2010
Ohio Maple Days Workshop
Ohio State University’s Gary Graham sees change ahead for the U.S. maple industry, and he’ll talk about it, and how producers can adjust to and gain from it, at the annual Ohio Maple Days workshop Jan. 28 in Fulton County, Jan. 29 in Wayne County and Jan. 30 in Geauga County.
Ohio State University Extension sponsors the workshop to help Ohio maple syrup producers get ready for the coming season, which will start in early February and run through mid-March, depending on the weather. Register soon: the deadline is Jan. 21. The $30 cost includes lunch. For details and to register, call 330-263-3799 and ask for Lisa. Hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at all three locations:
• The Morrow County workshop will be at the Lutheran Memorial Camp, 2790 State Route 61, south of Fulton.
• In Wayne County, in the Sprunger Building at the Kidron Auction, 4885 Kidron Road, Kidron.
• In Geauga County, at Joe J.S. Miller’s Window Shop, 15020 Shedd Rd., Burton.
February 4, 2010
Expanding Markets Through Frozen Produce
Explore a new market opportunity for locally-grown produce! CIFT is excited to introduce a newly developed process that will allow growers to freeze produce, yet retain maximum freshness and taste.
As a grower, you may have:
January 20, 2010
Master Gardener Application Deadline – Athens County
- Excess product at the end of the season
- An interest in expanding your crop selection
- A desire to grow more product if an outlet was established
Bon Appetit Management Company, a cafe and catering service organization with more than 400 locations in 29 states, is seeking local frozen items to serve to their clients at various corporations, universities and specialty venues.
Please join us at the CIFT office to learn more! For additional information, visit: http://www.cift.eisc.org/attach/frozenproduce.pdf
When - Thursday, February 4, 2010, 10:00am Where - Center for Innovative Food Technology, 5555 Airport Highway, Ste. 100, Toledo, Ohio 43615
To register, please contact Louise Mikesell-Wireman at 419.535.6000, ext. 112 or lmikesell-wireman@eisc.org
In the event of inclement weather, please call ahead to confirm session status.
February 6-7, 20-21, March 6-7, March 13-14, March 27-28, and April 10-11
Multiple Weekend Permaculture Design Course in Northeastern Ohio
"Join us as we explore the power of ecological design to create resilience and beauty in our communities." Over six weekends, Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon, we will present the internationally recognized curriculum in permaculture design. Permaculture has the potential to have a huge impact in the formerly industrial cities of the Midwest, where shrinking populations and abundant urban land are leading the development of regenerative urban food systems.
This course will place a focus on exploring options for developing healthy local food systems, community resilience, and local networks of support. Participants will gain experience with permaculture by developing designs for emerging urban garden projects, installing a demonstration garden and visiting established systems. This course will also include a weekend trip to explore the renowned local food system of Athens County, Ohio. The main location: Cleveland and Youngstown, Ohio.
This course is sponsored by: the Green Triangle Project, Grow Youngstown, Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association, and Habitat Ecological Design. Instructors: Mark Cohen, Josh Beniston, and Peter Bane with local guests. Cost: $950, includes weekend lunches and educational materials. Visit: neohiopdc.wordpress.com, for more information Contact: Josh Beniston 740-818-8422 habitatsgarden@yahoo.com
February 13-14, 2010
Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association (OEFFA) 31st Annual Conference, Growing with Integrity, Eating with Intention, Granville, OH. For information and to register, visit: http://www.oeffa.org/conference2010.php
March 5-6th, 2010
Innovative Farmers of Ohio's Annual Meeting in Athens, Ohio
The theme for this year’s meeting is Power of Agriculture for a Sustainable Future. There will be site visits, demonstrations, eating local foods, break out sessions, keynote speakers, and highlighting regional contributions to better energy utilization and production, food processing, and agrarian living in southeastern Ohio.
Other News and Information
Targeting Professionals in Summit County & the Western Reserve Area
For a full listing of workshops and registration information, visit: http://summit.osu.edu/topics/horticulture/2010-program-guide/diseases%20of%20ornamentals%20PDF.pdf
Of Special Interest:
•Introduction to Growing Organically, February 12
•Greenhouse Growers’ Update, February 19
•Summit Urban Farming Initiative, An Intensive Urban Farm Management Program, March 11 - April 22
•High Tunnels 101, April 16
2010 Call for Proposals deadline is February 26, 2001: Interdisciplinary Grant Program for On-Farm Research
The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Sustainable Agriculture Team and Agroecosystems Management Program (AMP) are offering interdisciplinary grants to promote on-farm research in sustainable agriculture. This program is made available through the Paul C. and Edna H. Warner Endowment Fund established specifically for on-farm research in sustainable agriculture related to crop (agronomic and horticultural) and animal production systems, that are ultimately intended for human consumption. Research is intended to identify and publicize sustainable agricultural practices and systems that are profitable, socially responsible, energy efficient and improve water quality and other environmental concerns relevant to Ohio farmers. Contact Megan Shoenfelt, Program Coordinator at shoenfelt.9@osu.edu for the application package for your review. The application deadline is February 26, 2001 with the award notification scheduled for April 2, 2010.
New opportunity for direct marketing fruits and vegetables in Ohio
Farmers can now act as vendors for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program fruit and vegetable vouchers. In October 2009, the WIC program expanded. WIC clients can now receive vouchers for each month, worth either $6 or $10 to purchase fruits and vegetables.
According to federal regulation, farmers are eligible to act as vendors for these fruit and vegetable vouchers. Farmers can accept these vouchers anywhere they sell their products, including farmers' markets, roadside stands, and at their farms.
In order for farmers to become WIC vendors, they must apply through the Ohio Department of Health. Applications must be completed and postmarked or received by the Department of Health no later than February 1, 2010. Vendors can only apply for this program once a year. Therefore, if the February 1st deadline is not met, farmers will have to wait until 2011 before the application process will be reopened.
Please note that this program is separate from the WICÂ Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). It is regulated separately and must be applied for separately.
For more information or to receive an application, contact Robin Ridenour at (614) 644-8285 or Kadie Donahoe at (614) 644-7570 at the Ohio Department of Health.
Position Announced:
Case Western Reserve University: Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods
Position: Core Project Coordinator
Job 8924; minimum annual salary is $35,665
Working under limited supervision, the Project Coordinator (PC) will oversee and coordinate the neighborhood-based intervention to increase access and availability of healthy foods in four Cleveland- area neighborhoods. She/he will work across teams comprised of, but not limited to, co-investigators, community partners, community residents, research assistants, and programming personnel. The Project Coordinator will collaborate directly with neighborhood stakeholders and residents to evaluate the food environment in each of the intervention neighborhoods and customize the intervention programming to address the specific needs and maximize the assets of each neighborhood. Further, the PC will work with the non- profit, city and county government offices that provide the intervention programmatic components in the four key points of entry into the neighborhood: K-8 schools, corner stores, community centers, and community gardens. The Project Coordinator will also work closely with the Data Manager to coordinate data collection for program evaluation and monitoring. The PC will collaborate with the Core Project Principal Investigator and Data Manager to prepare routine project updates to the PRC Co Directors, PRC Core Directors, and the Network of Community Advisors.
REQUIREMENTS
Experience
3 to 5 years of experience preferred in any of the following areas:
community organizing, non-profit organization management, food and nutrition programming, or community-based research in urban neighborhoods.
Education/Licensing
Bachelor’s degree required; a Master’s degree in non-profit management, public health, community organizing, or related field is strongly preferred.
Essential Skills
• Knowledge of research methodologies
• Excellent communication skills. Ability to clearly communicate and translate statistical results to non-statistical audiences in the form of tables and figures for peer review manuscripts and presentation.
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams comprised of individuals from various academic departments.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to be motivated and self-directed.
Technical Skills
• Ability to use Microsoft Office products including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, and SQL Server.
• Experience with statistical analysis and data management in SPSS, STATA and/or SAS.
• Knowledge/experience with quasi-experimental or community-based intervention research designs.
Please email your resume and cover letter referencing the above job number and title to jgsearch@case.edu
A sampling of Winter Farmers Markets
Countryside Winter Farmers' Markets, Northeast Ohio
Saturdays, 1/16, 2/20, 3/20, 4/17 from 9 am- noon
Countryside Winter Farmers' Markets at Happy Days Lodge in Cuyahoga Valley National Park (500 W. Streetsboro Road (Rt. 303,) Peninsula, OH).
Olde Worthington Winter Farmers Market
Saturdays 10 am - 1 pm
Enjoy shopping for fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables interspersed with flowers, plants, homemade foodstuffs, arts and crafts that vendors have for sale in the Town Hall of the Griswold Senior Center. Location: 777 High St. Worthington, OH (NW corner of 161 & High St. Meets every Saturday January through April. Contact Market Masters Jan Staats or Bill Zemincki at 614-891-6293. For more information, visit: http://www.owba.net/winter_farmers_market.htm
Columbus Winter Farmers Market
Saturdays 10 am - 1 pm
Shop local central Ohio farmers for homegrown, homemade, handmade and value added products. Location: First Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W. Weisheimer Rd., Columbus Ohio 43214. Contact Cathy Krist <cathy@columbuswinterfarmersmarket.com>. Dates: February 6 & 27 March 6 & 20 April 3 & 17. For more information, visit www.columbuswinterfarmersmarket.com
North Union Farmers Market – The Indoor Winter Market at Shaker Square, Cleveland
Saturdays 9 am - noon
Sheltered from Ohio’s blustery winter, you can still enjoy the harvest of farms, bakers and artisans. For more information and directions, visit: http://www.northunionfarmersmarket.org/markets/indoor.html
OSU Extension Announces Horticulture and Agriculture Workshops – Winter and Early Spring 2010
- Molly Bean Smith's blog
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