NIFA invests in project to promote farmer-led organic research in Ohio

By Andi Anderson

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is investing in a project to promote farmer-led organic research in Ohio.

NIFA's Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) is funding a project aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by organic farmers in Ohio. The project's goal is to enhance productivity, profitability, and resilience in the organic agriculture sector through collaborative on-farm research.

The project will be co-led by The Ohio State University, Central State University, and the Ohio Ecological Farm & Food Association. These organizations will work in partnership with organic producers and leverage their combined expertise, resources, and knowledge.

The principal investigator for the project is Douglas Jackson-Smith, who holds the Kellogg Chair and is a professor in the School of Environment and Natural Resources. He also serves as the Director of the Agroecosystem Management Program in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

The project's strategy to expand farmer-led organic research in Ohio includes hosting regional workshops and engagement activities. These activities aim to establish the groundwork for a robust Ohio Organic Farmer Researcher Network.

The project encourages the participation of a broad range of stakeholders, including farmers, researchers, educators, and other specialists from academic or non-profit organizations with an interest in collaborative research and organic agriculture. Monthly meetings and in-person events will be organized to facilitate engagement.

For more information on the project and how to get involved, interested parties can reach out to Cassandra "Cassy" Brown, the project manager, via email at brown.1844@osu.edu or by phone at 330-263-3634.

This project seeks to address the specific research needs and challenges faced by organic farmers in Ohio and aims to create a network of collaboration and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders in the organic agriculture sector.

Photo Credit: istock-elenathewise