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40 hot topics at Small Farm Conference

By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

WILMINGTON, Ohio — Their 48-acre organic farm located in Clarksville, Ohio in Clinton County is among the most successful organic farms in this state. So it comes as no surprise that Guy and Sandy Ashmore are among the 40 session speakers at the second annual Southwest Ohio Small Farm Conference and Trade Show. The event will take place at Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio on March 12-13.

“We began farming out of high school by renting our first farm with Guy’s brother in 1978,” Sandy said. “We were conventional farmers raising corn, soybeans, wheat, hay and some tobacco. But we were using commercial fertilizers and toxic chemicals and thought that was the only way to farm.”

Hoping to add some diversity, the family added some hogs to the farm as well.

“But things were not working out. We were stressed and our livestock and crops were stressed,” Sandy said. “In the late 1980s we visited an organic farm in Knox County and it was amazing. They were not using any synthetic chemicals or fertilizers and they were working with God’s creation (nature), not against it.”

The family had to learn new terms, like rotation, microbes, compost and soil life. And in 1988 they joined the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Assoc. (OEFFA).

“This was a turning point in our family practices and ultimately our lives,” Sandy said.

This year the Ashmores will discuss pasture poultry, from eggs to meat. They will reveal some secrets to their organic farming and tell how to make the same profits with less acreage.

This year’s topic conference and trade show theme is “Opening Doors to Success” and the event targets small farmers. And there is certainly a variety of topics this season.

Dale Stokes, owner of Stokes Berry Farm, will discuss raspberry growing techniques. Virginia Coover, owner of Gini’s Greenhouse, and author of The Natural Greenhouse, will discuss small greenhouse operations. Julie Fox, direct marketing specialist, will show how to use technology to reach customers. Peggy Hall of Ohio State University will discuss ag law practices relating to liability of food, property and attractive nuisances.

There are 35 other interesting presenters and topics, such as growing grapes, beekeeping fundamentals, self-help veterinary care, community supported agriculture (CSA), fertility fundamentals, Equipment 101, food preservation, introduction to aquaculture, cage fish culture, blueberry production, strawberry production, tax issues, orchard planning, pasture and hay production, branding agricultural products, grants and loans.
On Friday, March 12, “A Night of Organics” will feature an evening dedicated to investigating the ins and outs of organic production and exploring the opportunities that exist, including certification, fertility, weed control, marketing and more. This event will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Pyle Center on the campus of Wilmington College.

The remainder of the breakout sessions will be held Saturday, March 13 at the Kelley Center. Lunch will be served on this day.
Registration is $20 on March 12, $50 on March 13 or $60 for both days. For more information contact OSU Extension Educator Tony Nye at 937-382-0901.

3/17/2010