Ag Opportunities Conference

Ag Opportunities Flyer and Registration Form

MARIETTA, OH – Locally grown foods are becoming the new ‘in-style’ things for consumers all over the US.  Demand for ‘fresh from the farm’ is growing by leaps and bounds as more and more consumers worry about health issues.  Biofuels and other farm related alternative energy sources are sweeping the nation.  It’s a great time to be a farmer! 

With all of this consumer interest – what can farmers do to sell locally grown products to meet these needs? 

They can start a new crop on the farm – whether it’s meat goats, a vineyard, greenhouse plants, blueberries or a hive of bees for honey!  And at this conference – landowners can learn about the marketing and management that goes with a farm business. 

OSU Extension in Washington County is sponsoring the 2008 Mid-Ohio Valley Agriculture Opportunities Conference on Saturday, April 26 from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Washington State Community College in Marietta, Ohio.

 The keynote presentation will feature Dr. Joe Kovach who set out to gross $10 per row foot on his research plots in Wooster, Ohio.  This is equal to a robust $90,000 per acre, in his innovative farm plots of mixed fruits and vegetables. So far, based on the crops that he has in production, the Ohio State University scientist has achieved exactly that. The two final crops in the lineup, apples and peaches, are set to start producing this summer.

An ecological pest management expert, Kovach is midway through a six-year study of four different types of polyculture modules — plots with a mix of such high-value crops as snap peas, green beans, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes and edamame, or edible soybeans.  His presentation will be, “How to gross $90,000 per acre on your farm.” 

After the main session – participants can find many sessions which will help them find their niche in the new agricultural economy.  We have presentations on livestock, fruit, vegetables, plants, grants, marketing and management!  Sessions include: Direct Marketing Meat Products; Beekeeping—Opportunities & Challenges; Extending the Growing Season: High Tunnels & More; Top 10 opportunities in direct marketing; Pasture based livestock production; Berries from May to October —Extending the Pick-Your-Own Season; Herbs: Types, Culture & Use; How to get higher prices for your products; Specialty Pork & Poultry Production On the Farm; Community Supported Agriculture (CSA’s) - Getting guaranteed customers for the entire season; Table and Wine Grape Production; Business Planning—Adding a crop? Got an idea? Let’s put the numbers to it!; Meat Goats 101; Blueberry & Blackberry; Production; and Finding $$ - Find out where can you get cheap or free money to do these things.

There will an afternoon General Session titled “Finding your farm’s customers” presented by Julie Fox, OSU Extension Direct Marketing Specialist. Julie is a nationally known expert is the areas of small business and marketing. 

Speakers for this conference include: Rory Lewandowski, OSU Extension Athens County; Eric Barrett, OSU Extension Washington County; Hal Kneen, OSU Extension Meigs County; Maurus Brown, OSU Extension, Richland County; Jackie LeBerth, Marietta Small Business Development Center & Bramble Creek Farm; Steve Boone, President of The Mid-Ohio Valley Beekeepers Association; Ann Fugate from the Athens Farmers Market; Julie Fox, OSU Extension Direct Marketing Specialist; Joe Kovach, Ohio State University IPM Program; and JB King, King Family Farm, Albany, OH.

 Registration is only $30 and includes lunch along with a Conference Proceedings with details from all presentations from the entire conference.