Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association

Call Directions Website

Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association Using education, advocacy, and grassroots organizing to promote local and organic food systems.

What We Do:

Annual Conference--OEFFA's popular and inspiring sustainable agriculture conference features nationally-recognized speakers, a trade show, children's activities, entertainment, locally sourced meals, and more than 70 workshops taught by experienced OEFFA members, farmers, and researchers. Farm Tours, Workshops, and Webinars--OEFFA's annual series of free public farm tours features organic and ecological farms and gardens, providing unique opportunities for the public to see, taste, feel, and learn about alternative production systems directly from farmers. We also offer workshops, webinars, and other educational opportunities that help producers build their farming, business, and marketing skills. Organic Certification and Transition--One of the oldest and most respected programs in the nation, OEFFA's Certification program ensures that farmers and processors meet organic's high standards, which protect farmers, consumers, and the environment. To help farmers navigate the transition to organic, OEFFA has dedicated education staff, resources, and services. Begin Farming--OEFFA's Begin Farming program provides aspiring and early career farmers the support they need to understand what it takes to get into farming and grow their businesses. Paid apprenticeships, in-depth workshops, mentoring, staff support, and networking opportunities are designed to help sustainable and organic farmers succeed. Farm Policy Matters--OEFFA advocates for state and federal policies that protect and benefit sustainable agriculture, research and education, and the public's right to know. Working with our members, we give voice to concerned citizens and ecological family farmers who are safeguarding the environment and providing us with healthy and nutritious food choices. Stay Informed--OEFFA's quarterly newsletter updates members on OEFFA's work; regional, state, and national news; production and marketing information; resources, and events. OEFFA's monthly policy bulletin, action alerts, and blog provides food and farm policy updates and advocacy opportunities. Follow OEFFA's page, Facebook groups, and Instagram and Twitter accounts for news about events and sustainable agriculture. OEFFA's website is packed with useful information and resources, including the Good Earth Guide, which the public can search for local and organic food and farm products from OEFFA members. Learn From Each Other--OEFFA members are an invaluable source of practical knowledge and experience. OEFFA's Farmer Information Network connects individuals with production and marketing questions with experienced farmers who have the answers. OEFFA's Seasonal Farm Job listings link job seekers with host farms.

Today is  !Less than one in five people know what a DAF is, so here's a quick explainer.A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is a ...
10/08/2026

Today is !

Less than one in five people know what a DAF is, so here's a quick explainer.

A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is a charitable savings account that can provide support to nonprofits. People contribute cash, stocks, or other assets to their fund. At any point, they can decide to use these funds to provide a grant to a registered 501(c)(3)—like OEFFA!

Learn more about DAFs and their tremendous potential to support OEFFA by visiting grow.oeffa.org/daf.

Want to reach hundreds of farmers, researchers, gardeners, and consumers at OEFFA's annual conference? Check out our opp...
10/05/2026

Want to reach hundreds of farmers, researchers, gardeners, and consumers at OEFFA's annual conference? Check out our opportunities to sponsor, exhibit, and advertise!

We just launched our sponsorship, exhibitor, and advertising packages for the 2027 OEFFA Conference: Tending to Resilience. Our sponsors and exhibitors not only help make this event possible, but they also are supporting farmer-to-farmer learning. Reach the audience your business relies on by exploring these opportunities!

Visit conference.oeffa.org/sponsor-exhibit-advertise to learn more 📣

How does local organic food come to market in an urban retail space? City Vittles brings foods from Ohio producers to a ...
10/03/2026

How does local organic food come to market in an urban retail space? City Vittles brings foods from Ohio producers to a space on the west side of Cincinnati.

Join us on Saturday, October 17 for Farm Food in the City Tour to see how they utilize technology to make customers’ shopping experience as convenient as possible, while also leveraging in-person interactions at markets. And we'll explore their food retail approach, which uses technology mixed with the ideas and processes reminiscent of general stores and older food retail spaces.

Learn more and register for free at oeffa.org/farmtours 🌱

It's quiz time! 🧠How much do you know about the benefits of organic agriculture?Scroll through these questions and answe...
09/30/2026

It's quiz time! 🧠

How much do you know about the benefits of organic agriculture?

Scroll through these questions and answers to test your knowledge!

Since 1985, Dean McIlvaine has operated Twin Parks Organic Farm, a 1,200-acre farm in West Salem, Ohio. When he took ove...
09/26/2026

Since 1985, Dean McIlvaine has operated Twin Parks Organic Farm, a 1,200-acre farm in West Salem, Ohio. When he took over the conventionally farmed land from his father, he began transitioning it to organic, a newly emerging trend at the time. Twin Parks was certified organic by OEFFA in 1988.

Dean has served an instrumental role in the growth of organic grain production in Ohio and says "OEFFA has been the benchmark for making all of this happen in Ohio."

This quote is a part of his 2016 interview in the Growing Right Project, an oral history and public history project documenting the organic farming movement in Ohio. Watch his oral history at news.oeffa.org/growing-right 🌱

Farm tour  #8 of the year! Thanks to Annie Warmke for showing us around this urban food forest project in Marietta. In t...
09/23/2026

Farm tour #8 of the year! Thanks to Annie Warmke for showing us around this urban food forest project in Marietta. In this first photo, she's showing the cinnamon roll method of propagating cuttings.

We still have 3 more farm tours to go! Check out what's next at oeffa.org/farmtours 🌱

If you want to dive into a career in the organic movement, consider becoming an inspector! Inspectors visit organic farm...
09/22/2026

If you want to dive into a career in the organic movement, consider becoming an inspector! Inspectors visit organic farms and facilities to verify compliance with the organic regulations.

COrE (Certified Organic Evaluation) is a new virtual, self-paced, 50-hour organic inspector training program offered by OEFFA. Just like a career in inspecting, this training program can be done on your schedule. Completing COrE earns you more than a credential—it's a great selling point with the certification agencies looking to hire inspectors.

Learn more and sign up for the first cohort by Tuesday, September 29 at oeffa.org/core 🌱✍

Organic agriculture's roots go back thousands of years to Indigenous knowledge and practices that relied on natural proc...
09/18/2026

Organic agriculture's roots go back thousands of years to Indigenous knowledge and practices that relied on natural processes and prioritized soil health.

As synthetic agricultural inputs became more common in the 20th century, this brought about a renewed interest in agricultural systems that are better for people and the environment.

Then, consumer, cultural, and environmental factors led to the establishment of organic farms in the 1970s before organizations like OEFFA were founded, providing farmers and eaters ways to network and share ideas.

OEFFA became one of the country's first organic certification agencies in 1981, and started certifying according to NOP standards when they were established in 2001. Today, we certify 1,120 operations across a 12-state region, keeping 185,995 acres in organic production.

The 2026 General Election is just 48 days away and now is an important time to engage with the candidates and elected of...
09/16/2026

The 2026 General Election is just 48 days away and now is an important time to engage with the candidates and elected officials who will shape policies affecting Ohio's food and farm systems.

To help you do this, we're pleased to share our Connecting with Candidates Guide! It includes questions and resources to help you engage with candidates this election season and amplify the needs of your farm, home, or community.

Check it out at action.oeffa.org/2026-election.

Together with food and farm advocates across the state, the Ohio Ec...

Address

150 E Wilson Bridge Road Suite 230
Worthington, OH
43085

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16144212022

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Share