Fielding the Next Farm Team

With 10 percent of small farmers exiting farming each year, and a current median farming age of 59, helping new farmers successfully enter and thrive in their businesses is vitally important for the future of U.S. agriculture.

But, beginning farmers face significant hurdles, including attaining knowledge, skills, and experience in production practices; acquiring the fundamental business planning and financial management knowledge and skills; and accessing farmland and capital as part of the substantial investment farming requires.

To help address this, OEFFA’s Begin Farming Program provides aspiring and early career farmers (those farming 10 years or less) the support they need to understand what it takes to get into farming and grow their businesses. The goal of the program is to increase the number of successful sustainable and organic farmers in Ohio.

Programs for Aspiring Farmers

Apprenticeship Program

During the 2019 growing season, aspiring farmers will have an opportunity to train and work on certified organic farms throughout Ohio. These paid apprentices will attend distance education workshops, tour additional farms, and connect with other apprentices and farmers through robust networking opportunities. Apprentices that complete this program receive a Farm Vision course scholarship.

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Farm Vision Course

OEFFA’s Farm Vision workshop is designed to help aspiring farmers clarify what motivates them to farm, get their vision on paper, inventory their strengths and training needs, and get perspective from a panel of beginning farmers. The 2019 workshop took place in June.

Programs for Early Career Farmers

Production Information Line

Farmers can receive one-on-one production and marketing assistance by picking up the phone or sending an email. OEFFA staff will help farmers troubleshoot problems and access resources. Call (614) 421-2022 or send us an email.

Beginning Farmer Field Days

During the summer and fall of 2019, beginning farmers can connect during farm field day events that provide opportunities for skill-sharing. The 2019 Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop Series offers many opportunities for beginning farmers and experienced farmers to get together and learn from other farmers in the region.

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Beginning Farmer Facebook Group

Looking for another way to connect? OEFFA’s Facebook group—OEFFA’s Next Farm Team—is for you! It’s a friendly, inclusive forum for beginning farmers to network, ask questions, and share ideas, resources, events, and photos.

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Heartland Farm Beginnings® Training Course

OEFFA’s Heartland Farm Beginnings® training course will provide opportunities for beginning and transitioning farmers to learn first-hand about identifying values, setting goals, and whole farm and strategic business planning. This in-depth, field-tested course is new to Ohio, but has helped to train more than 1,500 farmers across the country during the past 15 years. Applications are now available for the October 2019-February 2020 course.

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OEFFA’s Annual Conference

OEFFA’s 40th Annual Conference was held February 14-16, 2019 in Dayton featuring workshops geared towards beginning farmers. Details about next year’s conference will be released in the fall.

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Mentoring Program

New farmers can apply to be formally matched with an experienced farmer ready to share his/her knowledge and experience.

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Land Access Program

Farm Land and Labor Mixer

OEFFA holds informal networking sessions designed to connect people and possibilities. If you have land you want farmed, need a plot to get started, or are looking for on-farm labor opportunities, join us for our next mixer! The last mixer was held July 9.

Farm Succession and Land Transition Planning Workshop

Landowners can receive information and assistance with discussing and planning how their land will be passed along to the next generation of farmers. Our most recent workshop was held April 6, 2019. Additional learning opportunities will be posted as details become available.

Heartland FarmLink

Farmers looking for land and landowners looking for a farmer, can post and search profiles and find links to many practical resources to begin a successful land transfer. 

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Join Us in Fielding the Next Farm Team!

If you are interested in participating in these programs, either as a new farmer or an experienced farmer we would be delighted to talk to you.

Contact: Rachel Tayse, Begin Farming Program Coordinator, online or (614) 947-1633.

This program is supported by NIFA USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (2016-70017-25346).

Photos: Mile Creek Farm