Public News Service

Weston Lombard, at his Athens County farm, uses regenerative practices funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. (Photo credit Sijie Yuan)

Ohio reacts to Biden's investment targeting rural electrification

President Joe Biden has announced a landmark $7.3 billion investment, the largest since the FDR New Deal, aimed at electrifying rural America…

Yellow Springs Development Corp. has applied for a $200,000 Department of Energy prize for the microgrid project. The prize winners will be selected by the end of August. (oasisamuel/Adobe Stock)

Solar microgrids bring energy and opportunity to Yellow Springs

The small community of Yellow Springs, Ohio, is leading an innovative effort to harness renewable energy while directly supporting low-income …

Ohio has more than 13 million acres of farmland and agriculture is responsible for about 3% of the state's gross domestic product. (Donley Desdain/Adobe Stock)

USDA invests millions for 'climate-smart' ag programs in Midwest

Farms in the Midwest should become more resilient to challenges created by climate change, with a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of …

The United States sends nearly 80 billion pounds of food to municipal solid waste landfills annually. (Pixel-Shot/Adobe Stock)

Ohio State tackles household food waste

Ohio State University is spearheading a $2.5 million U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded initiative to reduce food loss and waste in the United …

The stress of farming is compounded for racial and other minorities, a new study suggests. (Adobe Stock)<br />

For beginning nontraditional farmers, stress is a constant

Women, LGBTQ, and minority farmers in Ohio face compounding stressors, according to a study from Ohio State University. Researchers surveyed and …

Farmers and ranchers steward about 44% of the United States' landmass. (ZoranZeremski/Adobe Stock)

Stalled farm bill will likely affect Ohioans

The once-every-five-year Farm Bill will likely be extended to six years this time around, as Congress seems months away from finding a path forward…

Jeff Duling walks in one of his corn fields in the summer of 2022. Duling, who lives in Putnam County southwest of Toledo, enrolled 134 newly acquired acres in Cargill's RegenConnect carbon sequestration program. (NewsLab photo by Baylee Sweitzer)

Ohio Farmers Try Out Early Carbon Sequestration Programs

By Baylee Sweitzer for Kent State News Lab.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration…

Kris Swartz, a farmer in Wood County, Ohio, says he's seeing more rain and hotter temperatures than he did 30 years ago when he started farming. (NewsLab photo by Baylee Sweitzer)

Climate Change Challenges Ohio Farmers

By Baylee Sweitzer for Kent State News Lab.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration…

58 years old, according to the USDA. The owners of Meadow Farm and Preserve in Fayette County, Ohio, pictured above, purchased their farm from a retiring couple. (Sharon Maish)
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Land Transfers Offer Hope, Stewardship to Beginning Farmers

The cost of farmland has skyrocketed, putting the dream of working the land out of reach for many young farmers. In Ohio, land transfers between …

The Farm Bill is a five-year spending measure that addresses the agriculture industry, food systems, nutrition programs and more. (Mike/Flickr)

2023 Farm Bill: Creating Healthier Future for Farming, Food

Congress must pass a 2023 Farm Bill before the end of the year, a measure which not only impacts farming but also what's on our plates. The Ohio …

Farming practices that protect soil health can lead to climate resiliency. (Adobe Stock)

Senate Inflation Bill Features Strong Investments in Climate-Friendly Farming

While it's named the Inflation Reduction Act, legislation in the Senate actually goes a long way toward making agriculture more climate-resilient…

Visitors at the Stratford Ecological Center in Delaware, Ohio learn how agro-forestry, cover crops, pasture-raised livestock and soil health practices can help end the climate crisis. (Raul Castro-Dean)<br /><br /><br />

Tours Put Sustainable Farming Methods on Display

Some farmers in the region are taking time, even during the busy growing season, to give people a firsthand look at what sustainable agriculture is …

In 2006, experts began to note significant yearly declines in honey bee colonies. (Adobe Stock)

Pollinator Week: Protecting Vital Links in Ohio's Ecosystem

From the Frosted Elfin Butterfly to the Rusty Batch Bumble Bee, vital links of Ohio's ecosystem are in trouble. This is Pollinator Week, bringing …

Business-management courses can help new farmers understand systems for allocating expenses, productions costs and other tools to make a profitable operation. (Adobe Stock)

Building a Bridge Between Ohio Farmland Owners, Seekers

A program in the works is expected to help ensure the livelihood of farmers in Ohio and strengthen food-system resilience. The Family Farm …

Grazing cattle on cover crops can help increase organic matter in soil. (Conservation Media Library/Flickr)

Regenerative Agriculture: "Farming in Nature's Image"

While it isn't a new concept, a new movement is growing in agriculture toward the use of practices that restore soil quality by mimicking nature…

99% of Ohio's roughly 80,000 farms are family-owned. (Jamie Smed/Flickr)

Microgrants to Help Young Farmers Weather the Pandemic

Ohio is the sixth-largest state with beginning farmers, and new funding is available to help those just entering the business to survive the …

Vicki Harder-Thorne is honoring 30 years of sweat equity her parents put into restoring 80 acres of land in Ottawa County. (Harder-Thorne)<br />

Farm Succession: Honoring the Past While Protecting Land for the Future

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Succession is an inevitable process for Ohio farmers, and it can also be an opportunity to re-imagine the land. Vicki Harder-…

Pasture grazing cattle is a climate-friendly practice by cycling nutrients in the soil. (Drausin Wulsin)

Budget Bill Could Boost Climate-Friendly Practices in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As the contributor of 10% of greenhouse gas emissions, agriculture has had a profound impact on climate change. Legislation in …

Social isolation, financial challenges and emotional fatigue are among the stressors faced by people just starting out in agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Researchers Bring Social-Work Lens to Farming

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Researchers in Ohio are bringing a social work lens to agriculture by examining the challenges that affect farmers' mental health - …

OEFFA's 2021 Sustainable Food and Farm Tour will feature an organic dairy pasture walk. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Farm Tour Series Back after Pandemic Pause

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Some farmers and growers in Ohio are ready to share their knowledge and showcase the work they do to get food from the field to the …

Toxic algae blooms driven by excess nutrients give the waters of Lake Erie a greenish hue. (Adobe Stock)

Industrial Ag Runoff Seen as Major Threat to Lake Erie

TOLEDO, Ohio -- Groups advocating for clean water say they're facing an uphill battle trying to prevent animal manure and other pollution from …

The price of farmland frequently exceeds what can be earned by farming. (Pixabay)

Ohio Farmers, Young and Old, Could Benefit from Proposed Tax Credit

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio lawmakers are considering a measure to help give the next crop of farmers a strong start in the business. The Wall Street …

Sustainable agriculture advocate Navina Kahnna says holistic changes are needed to end inequalities in the nation's food system. (HEAL Food Alliance)<br /><br /><br />

Can a Divided Nation Make Its Food System More Fair?

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The nation is at a turning point with a new push for unity, and some groups say changing our food system is one crucial step in …

Cattleman Will Harris says his operation stores more carbon in its soil than its cows emit in production. (White Oak Pastures)

Holistic Farming: 'In Nature, There Is No Waste'

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- He's been called a "carbon cowboy" and an inspiration. Ohioans have an opportunity to hear from a legendary cattleman about how …

From record rainfall to drought, the effects of climate change on Ohio's weather patterns prompt plenty of uncertainty for farmers. (Adobe Stock)

New Alliance Motivates Ohio Farmers to Tackle Climate Change

COLUMBUS, Ohio - More than half of Ohio's land is used for agriculture, and there's a new effort to keep those lands resilient to the effects of …

Minister Aaron Hopkins, second from right, is among the 11 2020 OEFFA

Farm Mentoring Boosts Business, Personal Growth in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- One of the unspoken challenges among first-generation beginning farmers is the lack of social support and generational knowledge…

With the average farming age in Ohio of 59, the successful transfer of land will be an important issue in coming years. (OEFFA)

"Succession School" to Help Ohio's Elder Generation of Farmers

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The future of our food system depends on the successful transfer of land to the next crop of farmers. However, it can be an …

Most smaller farmers were shut out of federal assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Mile Creek Farm)

A New Vision for Food System Transformation

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Supply-chain disruptions during the pandemic have showcased the importance of local foods, and a new report offers a pathway to …

The Office of Management and Budget is reviewing a proposed rule that is expected to reduce the importation of fraudulent organic products. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Farmers Await Crackdown on Organic Import Fraud

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Some Ohio farmers are anxiously awaiting a new federal rule designed to get tough on fraudulent organic imports. The Strengthening …

Ohio Farmer Dennis Reer checks his cover crop for soil health. (David Ike/The Nature Conservancy)

Ohio Farmers Embrace Conservation to Mitigate Spring Flooding

SENECA CO., Ohio -- The prospect of heavy spring rains -- linked to climate change -- has led some farmers to use conservation measures to protect …

Most hemp is grown to produce CBD oil, which is used for a variety of medicinal purposes. Will Ohio farmers jump onto the hemp bandwagon? (Adobe Stock)

Cautious Optimism for Ohio Farmers in Hemp Industry

By Maria McGinnis / Broadcast version by Mary Schuermann Kuhlman Reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration Ohio's farmers will …

Researcher Laura Lengnick, left, says warmer winters followed by late freezes are impacting fruit crops such as grapes. (Lengnick)

Researcher: Future of Food Depends on Climate Resilience

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Without a sustained cold snap yet this winter, Ohio again is experiencing an unseasonable season. And an agricultural researcher …

People can learn about how agriculture can be part of the solution to the climate crisis at OEFFA's 41st annual conference. (OEFFA)

Ohio Farming Event Focuses on Creating Climate for Change

COLUMBUS, Ohio — After a planting season plagued by extreme weather, Ohio farmers now have an opportunity to better explore the concept of …

Ohio's farmers were challenged by an unusually wet spring. (Christian Collins/Flickr)

Report: Ohio Farmers Can Help Solve Climate Crisis

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio farmers are all too familiar with the impact of climate change, and a new report highlights the urgent need to help …

Helping new farmers successfully enter and thrive in their businesses is crucial for the future of Ohio farming. (Kelly Anderson-Cabral)

New Matchmaker for Ohio Farmers, Landowners

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Beginning farmers in Ohio can struggle to acquire property for production, and it's sometimes difficult for aging farmers to …

Farmers grew more than 78,000 acres of hemp in the United States in 2018, but it's still too soon for Ohio farmers to jump onto the bandwagon. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Farmers Begin Navigating Hemp, CBD Production

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Now that Gov. Mike DeWine has signed a bill legalizing CBD oil and hemp production, many Ohio farmers are wondering when they …

Ohio now is home to 77,000 farms, the highest number since 1997. (Don O'Brien/Flickr)

Census Reveals Bright Spots, Challenges for Ohio Farming

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The latest Census of Agriculture confirms the continuing trend of an aging farming population. However, next-generation …

Ohioans can learn about organic dairy production during a farm tour series this summer. (OEFFA, Sweet Grass Dairy, Henry Leiter Foto)

Getting Back to the Land; Reflecting on Ohio’s Sustainable Roots

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Certified organic farming in Ohio is a growing business, and an annual opportunity to peek inside some of these sustainable …

Some 100 million acres of current land used to grow our food will be available to be transferred to the next generation of farmers. (Travis Wise/Flickr)

Bill Would Help Get Ohio Farm Lands into New Hands

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Accessing land is one of the biggest hurdles for farmers who are just starting out, and a new bill in Ohio aims to help…

Researchers say children are more susceptible to the negative health impacts of pesticides commonly used on conventionally grown foods. (@darby/Twenty20.com)

Report on Toxic Foods Intensifies Calls for Organic Shift

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A new food-safety report is underlining the need for increased supports to grow organic food production in Ohio. The study …

As a farmer, educator and social-justice advocate, Onika Abraham says organic practices are rooted in past generations, from all walks of life and across the globe. (OEFFA)

Overcoming Oppressive Roots to Bring Diversity to Farming

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A premiere gathering for sustainable farmers, backyard growers and local food enthusiasts in Ohio marks a key milestone this …

Elizabeth Henderson, who is speaking at a conference in Ohio, was instrumental in creating food justice certification labeling. (Courtesy of Elizabeth Henderson)

Uniting Social Justice, Food Justice on Farms

DAYTON, Ohio — Healthy food and justice for all need to be united in order to create a food system worth sustaining, according to an organic …

There have been five cases of a salmonella strain linked to turkey in Ohio over the past year. (Alexas_Fotos/Pixabay)

Salmonella Outbreak Raises Calls for Food-Inspection Changes

COLUMBUS, Ohio – This Thanksgiving, concerns about salmonella in turkey products are on the table for many consumer groups. A drug-resistant …

Ohio ranks seventh nationally for the number of organic farming operations. (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture)

Organic Certification: Creating a Sustainable Future

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The end of the harvest signals the start of prep work for the next planting season. And an increasing number of farmers and …

The Senate version of the Farm Bill calls for permanent funding for the Beginning Rancher and Farmer Development Program. (Beau Considine/Flickr)

Farm Bill: What’s at Stake for Sustainable Food, Farms

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Farm Bill Conference Committee meets right after Labor Day to hammer out a final version of the legislation, and there's a …

Caroline McColloch of Chez Nous Farm is celebrating her first harvest of organic raspberries. (McColloch)

Momentous Harvest Season for Some Ohio Beginning Farmers

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Harvest season is here, and it's an especially momentous time for some beginning farmers in Ohio. Caroline McColloch …

The Western Basin of Lake Erie is a hot spot for annual algae blooms. (NOAA)

Lake Erie Algae: A Call for a Deeper Dive into the Problem

COLUMBUS, Ohio – While annual reporting and biweekly bulletins warn Ohioans of harmful algae locations and toxicity in Lake Erie, some clean-…

The design of new labels for genetically engineered foods is being questioned for appearing too biased, and not value-neutral. (USDA)

Labels for Genetically Engineered Food Generate Confusion

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Some food and farming groups are scratching their heads over proposed labels for genetically engineered foods. The long-…

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OH: Sustainable Agriculture and Farming