MT. HOPE, Ohio – Farming in harmony with nature is the theme for the 2021 Organic Farming Conference, according to Martha Kline, a member of the conference planning committee. The event will be Nov. 11-12 at the Mt. Hope Event Center, 8076 SR 241, Mt. Hope.

“The conference is geared toward producers,” Kline said. “But consumers are welcome as well; they need to know where their food comes from.”

Kline said choosing the theme of the conference is a reminder that farmers not only provide feed for livestock and food for consumers but organic farming in harmony with nature is key to providing food and habitat for all manner of vertebrates and invertebrates. She added that one session will focus on beneficial natural tools that farmers can utilize on their farms to enhance a natural environment.

The goals of the conference are simple: building local agriculture with practices that benefit rural and urban communities, advocating a way of farming offering products that are nutritious, wholesome and delicious, and promoting growing practices that conserve, renew and improve soils, provide healthy foods for the well-being of families, communities and all inhabitants that share their farms and land.

This year, the conference features three keynote speakers covering a variety of topics related to the theme of the conference beneficial to farmers and consumers alike:

Jim Van Der Pal, of Kerkhoven, Minn., and his family operate a 320-acre organic grain and livestock farm, raising corn, small grains, hay and pasture, with cover crops used as a soil and water conservation tool. They also raise cattle and hogs and have built up a demand for their high-quality beef and pork.

Klaas Martens, of Penn Yan, N.Y., and his family farm 2,000 acres and have a 50-cow organic dairy herd. They raise organic corn, soybeans and specialty crops, and small grains.

Kirk Webster, of New Haven, Vt., maintains 300 bee colonies without treatment of any kind and has developed his own line of queens and bees.

The conference opens on Nov. 11 at 8 a.m. with an overview of the day, presented by David Kline, followed at 8:30 a.m. by the first keynote speaker of the day, Van Der Pal, on the importance of culture, stewardship and agriculture. Following his presentation, the first break-out session is planned. Attendees have a choice of three sessions: “The Organic Dairy: Crop Rotations in Pasture” by Martens, Growing Organic Produce, and the Organic Home featuring a panel of homemakers and an introduction to the tables in the Organic Home section.

The second break-out session will include a choice of three break-out sessions: “The Importance of Sequencing Cover Crops” by Martens, “On-Farm Markets: Adapting to Customer Demands” by Van Der Pal, and organic home demonstrations.

Martens will kick off the afternoon session with his keynote address.

The afternoon break-out sessions include a discussion on “Nature In Your Pastures: Vernal Pools and Other Nature Beneficial Ideas” with Kline and Jeff Miller, a panel on produce production discussing new produce grower practices, and the third break-out session on the organic home.

Thursday topics in the organic home sessions include sand art brownies, repurposing old things, making aprons, recycling and growing succulents.

On day two, sessions begin at 8:45 a.m. with a presentation by Webster on “Organic Farms are a Resource-Rich Habitat for Bees.” Following Webster’s presentation, the morning will conclude with a choice of three break-out sessions: “Bee Panel” by Webster and local beekeepers, or “Conversations with the Land.” by Van Der Pal, and a session on the organic home.

The first of two break-out sessions in the afternoon begins with a Farmers’ Roundtable session on “Putting the Farm to Bed for the Winter” and a demonstration in the organic home. The second series of breakout sessions includes “The Business of Organic Farming” by Aden Yoder and local farmers, “Compost for the Farmer and Gardener,” by Levi Beachy and Joel Kurtz, and a session in the organic home area.

Kline said the farmer panels have always been a part of the conference, but recently they added a panel for farmwives. She said both panels are popular with conference participants. Not only do they learn new ideas, but they also find that others are dealing with the same situations on their farms.

Friday organic home topics include being creative with apples, a panel discussion from area farm wives, homemade signs and mottos, recipes for play dough, recycling, and a session on growing and arranging wedding flowers.

Kline said that in keeping with the theme of the conference, the planning committee added sessions on repurposing old items, and recycling as a means of encouraging good stewardship of resources.

The deadline for early-bird registrations is Oct. 23. The cost of the conference before Oct. 23 for one day is $20 per person and $30 per person after Oct. 23. The cost of the conference for both days is $30 per person before Oct. 23 and $40 per person after Oct. 23. After Oct. 23, registrations may also be made at the door. Children five and under are free.

Kline said the conference is geared toward the entire family and there will be a room available for mothers to feed or tuck their babies down for naps, with sleeping cribs and rocking chairs are included.

The conference fee includes meals, breaks, registration and the vendor show.  Checks should be made payable to the Organic Farming Conference and mailed to P.O. Box 214, Millersburg, Ohio 44654. For more information, contact 330-674-1892, e-mail info@organicfarmingconf.com or visit their website at www.organicfarmingconf.com to register online.