It may be a bit of a drive from Franklin Co. but there will be a ton of useful information for small farmers, or those who are looking to start a small farm.
OSU Extension will host the Eastern Ohio Small Farm Conference on April 6, 2024, at the Mid-East Career Technical Center Buffalo Campus, in Senecaville, Ohio! This is an incredible opportunity to hear from a vast selection of producers, professionals, and peers all in one place and just a short drive away.
Conference session topics are geared to beginning and small farm owners as well as to farms looking to diversify their operations. There will be five different conference tracks including: Horticulture and Produce Production, Business Management, Livestock, Natural Resources and new this year- The Farm Kitchen.
Some conference topic highlights include:
- Raising Meat Rabbits (Kim Ray)
- Making Goat Milk Products (Radisson Norman & Kirstin Roman)
- Pastured Poultry (Jessie & Tyler Radcliff)
- Livestock Handling (Mid-East CTC Students, Garth Ruff, & Brady Campbell)
- Timber Harvesting and Marketing (Jake Peer)
- Invasive Species (Carrie Brown)
- Basics of Growing Paw Paws (Valerie Libbey)
- Food Preservation Basics (Emily Marrison)
- Herb Vinegars (Kate Shumaker)
- Organic Pest Management (Logan Minter)
- Growing Produce with Hydroponics (Tim McDermott)
- Starting and Setting Up a Business (David Marrison)
- Ohio Landowner/Hunter Access Partnership Program (John Morton)
- Introduction to Bramble Production (Ryan Slaughter)
- Products from the Hive (Joan Leary)
- And SO MUCH MORE!
Anyone interested in developing, growing, or diversifying their small farm is invited to attend including homesteaders, gardeners, farmers market vendors, and anyone with a general interest in small farm living.
Attendees will have the opportunity to browse a trade show featuring the newest and most innovative ideas and services for their farming operation. The conference provides an opportunity to talk with the vendors and network with others.
The Conference will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at the Mid-East Career Technical Center Buffalo Campus (57090 Vocational Rd. Senecaville, Ohio 43780). Registration to attend is $100 and includes light breakfast and catered lunch by Hog Hollow BBQ, due by March 28, 2024.
For conference and registration information call OSU Extension Morrow County 419-947-1070 or OSU Extension Knox County 740-397-0401. You can also register for the conference online at: https://go.osu.edu/2024osusmallfarmconference
I will be speaking on hydroponics! I hope to see you there!