Autumn 2012

The Autumn OFFER meeting is shaping up to be a significant event for us, so please reserve the date of NOVEMBER 1. The meeting, which will be held at the Shisler Conference Center in Wooster, will be a summit for stakeholders and researchers to discuss the future of organic farming and how we can anticipate the research and education needs to help producers and processors be successful.  

 

National and regional organic leaders have been invited to present forward-looking perspectives on the industry. Speakers will discuss future market trends, consumer demand, policy and regulatory issues, production/processing challenges, and the proposed Organic Research and Promotion Program, all with an eye towards identifying future research opportunities. The summit is meant to a) provide organic producers/processors with information about the future business environment, b) help university researchers/educators anticipate areas of future needs for the industry, as well as funding prospects to support that work, and c) create opportunities for partnerships among organizations, their members, and university personnel engaged in organic research and education.

 

Among the confirmed speakers are:

               Laura Batcha, Executive Vice-President, Organic Trade Association

               Maureen Wilmot, Executive Director, Organic Farming Research Foundation

               Mike Anderson, Sustainable Agriculture Educator, Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association

               Deborah Stinner, Panel Manager, USDA-OREI program

 

All OSU attendees are encouraged to bring posters of their research for display at the meeting.

 

More details will follow soon, with information on how to register, but reserve the date now.

 

Spring 2013

OFFER Seminar Series continues with another half-day symposium with OSU and outside researchers and will be held on the OSU OARDC Wooster campus.