WOOSTER, Ohio – Richard Levins, a longtime advocate of sustainable agriculture, will present the keynote address during the Innovative Farmers of Ohio annual meeting Jan. 27.
The event will be held in Fisher Auditorium at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster.
Levins, an agricultural economist with the University of Minnesota, will be featured as the keynote speaker. Levins will address the question, “Why don’t we have sustainable agriculture now?”
Individual speakers and sessions will concentrate on asking “what is my current financial reality?” “what is my return on my investment?” and “what exactly are my income and expense numbers?”
Four Ohio farmers, all using sustainable methods, will share some of their financial realities. Tim Patrick, Danville, market garden; Matt Cunningham, Circleville, sheep; Perry Clutts and Asa Chester, Circleville, grain; and David Kline, Fredericksburg, dairy, will make presentations that event organizers hope will provoke participants to think about their own farm economics rather than evaluating how these four farmers are doing.
Another highlight of the annual meeting will be the introduction of IFO’s new full-time director, Laura Ann Bergman. Bergman most recently worked in Missouri for five years with John Ikerd, where she had success in connecting farmers with each other while organizing and promoting other sustainable agriculture interests and resources around the state.
Registration for nonmembers is $45 and includes morning coffee and rolls, lunch, afternoon refreshment and all materials. Additional family members can attend for $15 each.
IFO members will be admitted for $35 and also charged $15 for each additional family member.
For more information and registration, e-mail secenter@aol.com or call 740-363-2548.
Meeting registration is from 8-9 a.m. Individuals can register at the door, however lunch availability is not guaranteed for walk-ins.
The program runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
