Ohio Food Policy Network meetings start Jan. 30

The Ohio Food Policy Network, funded by Ohio State’s Initiative for Food and AgriCultural Transformation (InFACT), is holding a series of meetings “to connect the visions, values, activities, needs and priorities of Ohio’s key food system members and organizations.” They’re in Columbus Jan. 30, Dayton Feb. 11 (at the OEFFA conference), Akron Feb. 15, Toledo Feb. 22 and Piketon March 1 (at CFAES’s OSU South Centers). Details.

The goal of the network, according to its website, is “mapping the vision for the future of Ohio’s food system.”

InFACT, its website says, seeks “transformational solutions for resilient, sustainable and global food security.” It’s one of Ohio State’s Discovery Themes.

How and why to be a food citizen: OEFFA conference preview

picture of woman at farmers marketHow does government affect what you grow? How about what you eat? Ohio State’s Jill Clark (leader, Ohio Local Food Policy Council Network) and Granville, Ohio, farmer Bryn Bird will fill you in. They’ll encourage you to take a more active role in your food system. “Food Citizens: Engaging in the Intersection Between Food and Policy,” Session II A, 1:45-2:40 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association’s 36th annual conference(Photo: USDA via CC BY 2.0.)

How to build local and regional food systems: OEFFA conference preview

You’ve read about the urban farming efforts of Morgan Taggart, who works in the Cleveland area with CFAES’s outreach arm, OSU Extension, here and here (related video above). Now you can hear from her about her experiences with the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Food Policy Coalition, and how you, too, can bring together diverse partners for a greater, food-connected good. “Building Coalitions to Support Local and Regional Food Systems,” Session I A, 9:30-10:25 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association’s 36th annual conference.