MANSFIELD, Ohio – Producers looking for ways to bring in more income on their farms, or with a few acres they would like to transform from a weekly five-hour session on the lawn mower to a peaceful and colorful food-producing oasis, may find help at the 2022 Small Farm Conference and Trade Show.

The conference, with the theme of Sowing Seeds for Success, is March 12 in Ovalwood Hall (1760 University Drive) at the Mansfield campus of The Ohio State University. The Mansfield campus is just off Interstate 71 and U.S. 30.

The first Small Farm Conference was in 2009, according to Carri Jagger, OSU Extension educator for agriculture and natural resources in Morrow County. Jagger said the conference was previously held in Wilmington, Ohio, and Canfield, Ohio.

Jagger said the site was selected primarily due to its central location and easy access from major highways. The conference runs from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Due to changing COVID guidelines, the 2022 Small Farm Conference may move to a virtual conference. Conference participants will be notified if the conference format is changed.

If the conference moves to a virtual format, Jagger said the conference sessions are being recorded prior to the conference and will be posted to the Small Farm website, http://u.osu.edu/gofarmohio.

Jagger added that the conference is a spin-off from the Small Farm College, which gives participants an overview of the information they need to get started in their farming operation. The Small Farm Conference gives participants a chance to select a specific track covering topics that will enhance their enterprise.

This year’s conference offers eight tracks covering a variety of topics related to produce and livestock production and farm management.

Horticulture topics include chain saw safety, growing and selling cut flowers, hydroponics, controlled environment agriculture, and an overview of the micro farm on the Mansfield campus.

Produce production topics include high tunnel production, invasive pests in fruit production, super berry production and marketing, and starting and managing an orchard.

Natural resources topics include timber harvesting and marketing, managing woodlots, and landscaping for wildlife and maple syrup production.

Livestock production topics include small ruminant production, maximizing reproduction in a small beef herd, forage and pasture management, and water and fencing.

Specialty crop topics include growing hops, pawpaw production, getting started in hemp production, and shiitake mushroom production.

Farm management topics include choosing an enterprise, farm business management, information on government programs, and purchasing a used tractor.

Marketing topics include creative marketing, developing a marketing plan, choosing the best marketing channel for your farm success, and marketing your products to wholesale channels.

Miscellaneous topics include selling meat at the farm level and the market, growing ginseng, navigating cottage food regulations, and burying seeds, not stress.

Jagger said the tracks offer conference participants ideas to start or add an enterprise on their farm, but she highlighted Developing a Marketing Plan, in the marketing track, and Is Farming for You? Introduction to Farm Business Management as a must for new and beginning farmers, especially if they are planning to market products off their farm.

Another highlight of the annual conference is a trade show with vendors offering the newest and most innovative ideas and services for the farming operation. The conference will also have the Small Farm Conference Book Store with a variety of resource materials geared toward small and beginning farmers. An added benefit to the conference is the opportunity to network with other beginning farmers and learn from their experiences.

Registration for the conference is $75 and includes meals, breaks and session materials. To register or for more information, go to the conference website, https://go.osu.edu/osufarmconference2022, or contact OSU Extension in Morrow County, 419-947-1070.