MECHANICSTOWN, Ohio — The Agriculture, Natural Resources and Conservation Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 12 at the McClester Farm, 4071 Meter Road N.E., Mechanicstown.
Parker Bosley
Parker Bosley, a nationally known advocate for sustainable cuisine and founder of Cleveland’s New American Bistro, will provide a presentation at 1 p.m. in the expo’s speakers tent.
Bosley works full time with small-scale farms and restaurants throughout Ohio to inspire the local food movement, which corresponds with his mission to promote local foods appearing on restaurant menus.
As a founding member of North Union Farmers Market, Bosley continues to manage the Crocker Park, Westlake Market and serves on the organization’s board. He continues to function as a liaison between farmers and consumers.
Gary Zimmer
Gary Zimmer of Madison, Wis., will speak at 10:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Zimmer is a farmer, author, agri-businessman and educator dedicated to biological agriculture. He is recognized around the world for his dedication to improving farming through restoring soils and has spoken to farmers and agribusiness professionals all across the U.S. and in Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
For the past 25 years, Zimmer has been evaluating farming practices as a consultant on his family’s farm and as president of Midwestern Bio-Ag, a biological farming consulting company located in Blue Mounds, Wis. He operates the Bio-Ag Learning Center, where biological farming practices and agricultural products are field tested.
Steve Groff
Steve Groff will speak at 11:45 a.m. Groff and his family farm 200 acres of vegetables and crops in Lancaster County, Pa. He has pioneered the “Permanent Cover Cropping System,” which includes no-tillage, cover crops and effective crop rotations as a way to increase profits, enhance soil and water quality and reduce pesticides.
The cornerstone of this system is a unique emphasis on maintaining a permanent cover of crop residues and cover crops on the soil surface and having something living in the soil at all times. All vegetables and crops are then seeded or transplanted into the organic mulch. This permanent cover aids in weed control, has virtually eliminated soil erosion on the farms 3-17 percent slopes, and has increased soil and water quality.
Admission
Admission and parking are free for this event. Rest room facilities, food and first-aid will be available. Limited handicapped access is available.
The event is sponsored by the Carroll, Columbiana, Harrison Jefferson and Stark Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
More information
Visit www.anrcexpo.com for a complete list of vendors, exhibitors and presentations or call 330-627-9852 for more information.
Events set for Sept. 11 at site
MECHANICSTOWN, Ohio –A pond clinic and advanced grazing pasture walk will be held Sept. 11 at the expo site.
The pond clinic will be held at 6 p.m. with Steve Fender of Fender’s Fish Hatchery.
The pasture walk will be held at 6 p.m. with Bob Hendershot of the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Jeff McCutcheon of the OSU extension.
For more information, call 330-627-9852.
