Workshop, tour planned for limited resource farmers

PIKETON, Ohio – The first tour, workshop, and picnic for limited resource farmers will be held at Ohio State University’s South Centers in Piketon, Ohio, Aug. 23.

The event will provide information on alternative farming enterprises and how to enhance their current farming operations.

Sessions. Participants will choose from sessions on topics covering aquaculture, growing and marketing berries, cooperative development and forestry.

This day-long event addresses the requests that limited resource farmers expressed at a meeting held last March which was led by USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service and other sponsors.

Opportunities. The conference will inform participants about the existing and potential economic opportunities that are available to limited resource farmers in Ohio and will provide an opportunity for learning, communicating, and networking for Ohio’s minority farmers and those that work with them.

Minority farmers, women farmers, new farmers, underserved and limited resource farmers, at-risk farmers, organic and small farmers, and farmers interested in sustainability and profitability will benefit greatly by attending, according to organizers.

The tour will also be of interest to nonprofit and grassroots organizations, agricultural agencies, state and local public policymakers, lending institutions, seed distributors, and anyone interested in improving the agricultural production of sustainability of Ohio farmers.

Open to public. All who are interested in the topics being presented are also welcome to attend.

The event will be held at the South Centers, 1865 Shyville Road, Piketon, Ohio from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 23.

Registration is $5 and covers the conference fee, continental breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack.

The continental breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. Lunch will be catered by Gallia County farmers.

Register before Aug. 16 by contacting Tomika Walker, 200 North High Street Room 522, Columbus, Ohio, 43215, or by calling 614-255-2496 or 1-800-384-8732, ext. 345-5870.