April 22  How to Protect Our Agricultural Resources by Influencing Policy
Resources include our land, water, farmers and ultimately our FOOD.   This is the last program in our winter/spring series.  MacKenzie Bailey, Policy Program Coordinator from OEFFA and Alison Auciello from Food and Water Watch will update us on what is happening with the farm bill and other issues, and offer concrete ways we can influence federal, state and local policy.   We will meet at the Civic Garden Center of Cincinnati 2:00 pm  The meeting will be followed by the CORV food guide kick off at 3:30 pm.  Questions can be directed to Sally at swoeffa@gmail.com

Coming on March 4 as part of this series:

Farmageddon, the Unseen War on American Family Farms

“The film serves to put policymakers and regulators on notice that there is a growing movement of people aware that their freedom to choose the foods they want is in danger, a movement that is taking action with its dollars and its voting power to protect and preserve the dwindling number of family farms that are struggling to survive.”

The location is at Xavier University in Kelley Auditorium in Alter Hall.  The time is 2 pm.

Following the movie, Gary Cox from the Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund will be on hand to answer questions.

This is a must-see for small farmers and their customers.

Reservations are required by contacting Sally at swoeffa@gmail.com.

Our first event in our film series is on JANUARY 29.  We will be showing THE GREENHORNS at 3 pm at the MainStreet Cinema at the University of Cincinnati.  A question and answer session will follow featuring some local farmers.

“The Greenhorns is a documentary film that explores the lives of America’s young farming community–its spirit, practices, and needs.  As the nation experiences a groundswell of interest in sustainable lifestyles, we see the promising beginnings of an agricultural revival.”

This program will be of interest to all who are interested in the state of our local food supply and especially those who are considering entering the agricultural profession.

All are invited.  Please go to http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50235/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_ page_KEY=6215 to sign up or contact swoeffa@gmail.com for more information.

Also, ahead:  March 4, the film Farmageddon, the Unseen War on American Family Farms

April 22:  How to Protect our Agricultural Resources by Influencing Policy

Join us for our last meeting of the year at Meshewa Farm (7550 Given Road) on December 11.   We will start eating around 1 pm.  Our agenda will include election of officers and coordination of bulk seed orders, plus updates on topics of interest.  Please bring a dish to share plus tableware.  RSVP is necessary since the meeting space is small.  Email Sally at swoeffa@gmail.com.  Hope to see you there!

All are invited to attend our annual business meeting on November 13 at Gorman Heritage Farm.  This will be a potluck starting at 1:00 pm.  After eating and socializing, we will focus on the past year and attend to any business.  We intend to follow that with a discussion on “the state of food and farming in Southwest Ohio”.  Before adjourning, we hope to form one or two subcommittees to plan next year’s programming, fund raising, etc.  Your input is important in establishing an agenda for the year.

Bring a dish to share plus tableware.  Please RSVP to Sally by email at swoeffa@gmail.com or phone 513 984-0174.

Our last program in our winter/spring series on GMOs will be held on May 22 at 2:00 pm at the Civic Garden Center in Cincinnati. This program titled Take Control of Your Food will begin with two speakers. One is John Moody from Louisville. John calls himself an unlikely defender of good food, good farms and good farming practices, after prior suffering all sorts of maladies from a more conventional diet. He has become a food activist, starting a buying club to support small farms and sustainable companies, as well as educating people about the importance of real food. Our second speaker will be Richard Stewart, co-owner of Carriage House Farm in North Bend. Richard’s family has been in the farming business for many years. He will share with us thoughts and ways that he has transitioned his farm from a conventional farm, growing GMO crops, to a more healthy, diverse and sustainable farm.

The last part of our program will be a discussion and call to action. We invite any thoughts and information that you might have to share, and a few of our subcommittee members will share what they know.

Farmers, consumers–all are welcome. As always, RSVPs are encouraged to know how many to plan for. You can reply to swoeffa@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you as we wrap up this important topic!

Our speaker, Dr. David Fankhauser, will share his concerns about this important topic.  Part of our 4 part series on the Challenge of Genetically Modified Foods, all are invited to delve deeper into our understanding about the consequences of our food choices.  David is a biology and chemistry professor at University of Cincinnati’s Clermont College.  He is also a farmer, activist, cheese maker and concerned citizen.

April 17, 2:00 pm at the Civic Garden Center.  The program is free, but RSVP’s are helpful in setting up the space.  You can send an email to swoeffa@gmail.com

Coming on May 22:  Take Control of Your Food.  Ways to stay informed and take action.

ALL ABOUT SEEDS:  FROM HEIRLOOMS TO SEED SAVING

On March 20,  join us in this discussion.  All gardeners and farmers who save seeds are invited, as well as those who want to give it a try.  Several experienced seed-saving folks will be on hand to offer input.  A 15 minute film will be shown to kick off the discussion.  With the hope of developing a means for a seed swap, feel free to bring any extra seeds that you have been saving.  Help preserve what is left of our seed heritage!

Program to be held at the Civic Garden Center in Cincinnati at 2:00.  RSVP isn’t necessary, but would be nice.  Email swoeffa@gmail.com