02/15/2026
On March 14, 2026, the GHASD Fresh Farm Initiative hosted a community education program focused on specialty crop production, home gardening, and nutrition education to strengthen food security, improve community health, and build household-level self-sufficiency across Central Ohio.
The program highlighted research-informed practices and practical skill-building, connecting participants to methods that support sustainable production and informed food choices.
We sincerely thank the management at 3770 West Broad St, Columbus, Ohio, for welcoming our event and supporting community-based learning. We also thank the entire Central Ohio community for your strong participation, thoughtful questions, and commitment to growing knowledge together.
We were honored to welcome Natasha, who shared meaningful insights shaped by her roots in East Africa and her organization’s ongoing community work. Her perspective added depth to conversations on agriculture, resilience, and community development.
We also acknowledge Forbes Lipschitz, Professor of Landscape Architecture at The Ohio State University, whose expertise in agriculture and landscape systems strengthened discussions on land stewardship, site planning, and community-scale growing design. Dr. Don Leonard, educator at The Ohio State University, provided research-based guidance and practical recommendations related to specialty crop best management practices and seasonally appropriate methods for Central Ohio growers.
We appreciate the presence and support of Mark, State Representative for Ohio House District 10, whose engagement reinforced the importance of collaboration among community, education, and public partners to expand access to agricultural knowledge and healthy food resources.
We extend sincere gratitude to USDA, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), and Ohio Specialty Crop partners and supporters for investing in community-driven education and strengthening specialty crop knowledge and local food systems throughout Ohio.
Finally, we recognize the leadership and dedication of the GHASD Fresh Farm Initiative team for organizing and delivering a high-quality learning experience. Special recognition goes to Kawther Musa, Educational Training Coach, for guiding participant learning and supporting effective instruction through structured training and strong community engagement.