Project Overview
Commodities
Practices
Proposal abstract:
Across three decades of work in Wisconsin, FairShare has seen that farmer-to-farmer learning networks are the most effective way to advance sustainable agriculture. When growers build trusted relationships and regularly share production, management, and marketing strategies, they adopt practices more confidently, reduce costly trial and error, and strengthen the resilience of their farms. This has led to an abundance of well-established, well-respected farms in the Upper Midwest. This project will extend that model to Ohio, where FairShare has dedicated staff capacity and a cohort of advanced organic vegetable growers who have expressed a need for deeper peer connection, technical exchange, and region-specific support.
Ben Jackle of Mile Creek Farm shares, "In person visits are the most efficient and effective way to connect with growers and get a sense of what makes their operations successful. Visiting larger scale, successful operations in MI and WI would allow us to forge relationships with growers in these more established and competitive markets which would in turn help us grow both our own farm and our community of farmers here in Ohio." This cohort of farmers will share findings from peer-learning expeditions to lift-up, professionalize, and mentor the broader network of Ohio organic vegetable growers.
Project objectives from proposal:
- After visiting farms in Michigan and Wisconsin, a cohort of 6 advanced Ohio organic vegetable growers will learn 4 new processes for production and/or management systems and will implement 2 new practices.
- As a result of regular peer-to-peer education, a network of 20 Ohio organic vegetable growers will develop trusted peer relationships to help them navigate economic and social challenges and implement organic farm adaptations.
- As a result of attending two peer-led conference presentations, a network of 20 Ohio organic vegetable growers will learn 5 new practices and will adapt 2 of them for their farms.