You'll have opportunities to do all this and more during OEFFA's 27 summer farm tours, workshops, and other special events which are part of the 2017 Ohio Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop Series.
In total, the series features 43 events, offered in partnership with Central State University Cooperative Extension, The Ohio State University Extension Sustainable Agriculture Team and the Clintonville Farmers' Market.
See, taste, and experience life on the farm while gaining practical new skills and learning about sustainable agriculture and local foods on the farm from growers and producers with years of practical experience.
All tours and workshops are free and open to the public and do not require pre-registration unless otherwise noted.
Events will take place rain or shine. Guests should dress appropriately; hats, sunglasses, long pants, closed toe walking shoes, and sunscreen are recommended. Tours involve standing and moderate walking; visitors with physical limitations or other concerns should contact the tour host in advance. For everyone’s safety, guests should keep children with them at all times. Please do not bring pets to the tours.
CORRECTION NOTE: Clintonville Farmers' Market's tour of Rock Dove Farm will be held on Sunday, June 11 NOT Sunday, June 6 as listed in the farm tour brochure.
Download a pdf of the full series brochure.
Download a pdf of the full series brochure.
Download a pdf of the full series brochure.
Urban CSA Farm Tour
Saturday, June 24—5-7 p.m.
Urban Greens
241 Worth St., Cincinnati, OH 45226
Cost and Registration: The farm tour is free and open to the public and does not require pre-registration. Pre-registration is required for the dinner, which costs $20. To register, email info@urbangreensfresh.com with “Farm to Table” in the subject line.
CSU Cooperative Extension is the newest land-grant institution in Ohio. Their urban agriculture programs help educate small and nontraditional farmers and urban communities about urban agriculture practices. Urban Greens turns vacant properties into beautiful and bountiful gardens. They operate a half acre urban farm, which serves a community supported agriculture (CSA) program. They rely on an extensive network of like-minded farmers, who provide them with the best variety and quality. Tour this garden and small food hub, learn how they collaborate with their community, and stay for an optional farm-to-table meal. CSU Extension Agent Lisa Craig will be on site to describe their programs and Extension outreach, and to answer questions.
Diversified Urban Development Farm Tour
Friday, July 28—1-3 p.m.
New Harvest Café and Urban Arts Center
1675 Arlington Ave, Columbus, OH 43211
CSU Cooperative Extension realizes that urban agriculture has the power to bring communities together. Based in Columbus’ Linden neighborhood, this project reclaims vacant lots for natural areas and food production, engages youth in agriculture through an urban 4-H program, hosts a weekly farmers’ market, and provides space for contemporary artists. With the opening of the café, New Harvest became an unpretentious gathering place for the entire community to share their interests in gardening, the environment, and the arts, while enjoying authentic soul food sourced from nearby gardens. Join this tour to see garden sites, 4-H projects, the café, and the arts center, and learn about plans for constructing a fresh market and commercial kitchen facility, which will allow community members to develop value-added products. CSU Extension Agent Renita Porter will be on site to describe their programs and Extension outreach, and to answer questions.
Personal Food Security Workshop
Saturday, August 12—9 a.m.
CSU Dayton Auditorium
840 Germantown St., Dayton, OH 45403
Cost and Registration: $15. Price includes light refreshments. Pre-registration is required by August 4 and space is limited to 30 people. To register, click here.
Central State University Cooperative Extension's urban agriculture program, the Foodbank of Dayton, and Edgemont Community Center, as they present a practical, educational workshop on building personal food security and a resilient community food system. Learn about home-tested strategies for nutritional meal planning, food preservation, and use; explore viable models for organizing urban communities; and learn about support available for urban gardeners. As an added bonus, at 11:30 a.m., there will be a free tour of the Foodbank gardens, conveniently located right across the street!
Urban Livestock Farm Tour
Saturday, September 2—12-3 p.m.
Glass City Goat Gals
329 Mentor Dr., Toledo, OH 43608
Registration: Pre-registration is required. To register, email glasscitygoatgals@gmail.com no later than August 26.
CSU Cooperative Extension believes that urban agriculture education can stimulate community development and revitalize cities. Mentor is a small historic city block in Toledo. Old dilapidated homes were an eyesore to neighbors, and attracted vandalism and arson. Elizabeth Harris saw an opportunity, and in August 2011, a dream was born. Glass City Goat Gals had a vision to take the abandoned cull-de-sac—once known as Murder Alley—and transform it into an urban farm with goats, growing plots, and a butterfly house. Tour this farm to learn how they worked with the city and community to create positive relationships and place-making in this neglected neighborhood. While in the area, visit the Toledo Farmers’ Market, open from 8 a.m.- 2 p.m., which is located less than one mile away. CSU Extension Agent Brittany Jones will be on site to describe their programs and Extension outreach, and to answer questions.
Farm the City on Solid Legal Ground Workshop
Wednesday, September 20—4-7 p.m.
Cuyahoga County CSU Extension
5320 Stanard Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103
Cost and Registration: $15. Price includes light refreshments. Pre-registration is required by September 12 and space is limited to 25 people. To register, click here.
Download a pdf of the full series brochure.