Ohio Ag Connection - Extension Offers Conferences for Small Farm Landowners

Ohio Ag News Headlines

Extension Offers Conferences for Small Farm Landowners
Ohio Ag Connection - 02/08/2010

Ohio State University Extension will host two conferences in March dedicated to small farm landowners.

The second annual "Opening Doors to Success" Small Farm Conference and Trade Show will be held March 12-13 at Wilmington College. The conference will feature 40 breakout sessions and a trade show for small farmers.

The conference kicks off on March 12 at 5:30 p.m. with a session, "A Night of Organics," dedicated to organic production.

Breakout sessions on March 13 include: "Growing Grapes/Making Wine," "Agritourism Opportunities," "Bee Keeping Fundamentals," "Poultry Production," "Self Help Veterinary Care," "Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) - Can they work for me?" "Fertility Fundamentals," "Equipment 101," "Food Preservation," "Introduction to Aquaculture," "Cage Fish Culture," "High Bush Blueberry Production," "Strawberry Production," "Raspberry Production," "Agricultural Law Considerations," "Fence Line Law," "Tax Issues," "Orchard Planning for the Small Farm," "Pasture and Hay Production," "Business Planning," "Branding my Agricultural Product," and "Grants and Loans."

The program is co-sponsored by OSU Extension Small Farm Program, Wilmington College, Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture offices of the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Agriculture Statistic Service and Rural Development.

Registration is $20 for March 12, $50 for March 13 or $60 for both days. Registration deadline is March 2. For more information, log on to: http://clinton.osu.edu/top-stories/opening-doors-to-success, or contact OSU Extension educator Tony Nye at 937-382-0901, nye.1@osu.edu.

The inaugural Northeast Ohio Small Farmer Conference and Trade Show will be held on March 27 at the R.G. Drage Career Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Massillon.

The conference will include two keynote addresses and more than 15 breakout sessions for small farmers.

Breakout sessions include: "Aquaculture Opportunities in Ohio," "Freshwater Shrimp Production," "Pond Management," "Backyard Poultry Production," "Meat Goat Production," "Producing Grass-Fed Livestock," "Berry Production," "Selecting a Fruit and Vegetable Enterprise for Your Farm," "Operating a Small Greenhouse," "Maple Syrup for Fun and Profit," "Developing a Lease Hunting Enterprise," "Managing the Woodlot," "Line Fence Law and Other Private Property Issues," "Tax Issues for the New and Small Farm," and "Planning for Your Small Farm Dream."

The program is co-sponsored by OSU Extension Small Farm Program; Farm Credit Services of Mid-America; and the U.S. Department of Agriculture offices of the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Agriculture Statistic Service and Rural Development.

Registration is $50 per person. Registration deadline is March 19. For more Information log on to: http://carroll.osu.edu/top-stories/living-your-small-farm-dream-1, or contact OSU Extension educator Mike Hogan at hogan.1@osu.edu or 330-627-4310.