For Immediate Release: Contact :
Friday, January 17, 1997 Sean McGovern
614/294-3663
"Soul and Soil: Feeding Field and Communities"
Common Ground That Bonds Us All
The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association will host its 18th Annual
Conference on March 1 and 2 at the OSU Agricultural Technical Institute in
Wooster, Ohio. Experts from Ohio and around the country will be on hand
sharing sustainable agriculture production and marketing techniques through a
wide variety of workshop and keynote speeches.
Keynote speaker Cathrine Sneed will discuss "The Garden Project," a program
which integrates former prisoners into inner city gardening and vegetable
distribution programs to help them renew themselves while earning a living.
Eric Gibson, author of "Sell What you Sow," will share innovative marketing
techniques for small scale farmers, processors, and retailers in the
sustainable food industry. Special guests Richard and Sharon Thompson will
share their research demonstrating the productivity and profitability of a
chemical free corn/soybean rotation on their Iowa farm.
"It's time to get down to Earth," says Molly Bartlett, OEFFA Board member.
"The integrity of our communities relies on soil health. Soil cannot
sustain communities if we fail to give it the attention it needs. Perhaps
ecological agriculture has something to teach us about sustaining people."
Workshops titles will include Holistic Animal Care, Confronting Urban
Sprawl, Electronic Networking for Organic Farmers, The Basics of Organic
Grain Production, Beekeeping, and a wide range of other topics. Call the
above number for a complete workshop list and schedule.
The two-day event is an atmosphere of casual learning and fun. Registration
fees range from $20 for students to $60 for non-members registering late.
Single day fees for non-members are $45 for Saturday and $35 for Sunday.
OEFFA members may register at reduced rates. Other activities will include
a trade show for ecological entrepreneurs, a Saturday night contra dance,
child care services, and organic meals.
For more information or registration materials, contact the OEFFA office at
PO Box 82234, Columbus, Ohio, 43202, or call 614/294-3663.
OEFFA is a non profit organization founded in 1979 as a broad based
membership association of farmers, gardeners and consumers working together
to promote a sustainable, permanent, accountable and healthful agriculture in
Ohio. OEFFA's 1,000 members supports wider study and adoption of resource
conserving farm and garden practices, preservation of family farms, the use
of appropriate technology, greater regional food self reliance, and the wise
development of our rural and urban landscape. OEFFA conducts Ohio's organic
certification program, and hosts numerous educational programs for
sustainable and organic farmers, gardeners, and their customers.
Speakers may be available for interviews. For more information, call the
number above.