Annual Ohio Farmland Preservation Summit - Speakers

10th Annual Ohio Farmland Preservation Summit: PLANTING THE SEEDS OF FUTURE PROSPERITY
November 5, 2009

The audio files (.mp3s) and presentations (.pdfs) are found after the session title.  Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan's address is offered in several formats.  You can right-click on the hyperlinks (underlined red text) to open the file or download the file to you computer.

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Welcome - 9 - 9:25 am

E. Gordon Gee, President, Ohio State University - AUDIO
Introduced by, Director Robert J. Boggs, Ohio Department of Agriculture - AUDIO

Morning Plenary - 9:25 - 10:30 am

The Value of Farmland - AUDIO

You often hear that farmland provides services beyond food and fiber production. The Summit plenary will begin by asking the question: How can we begin to value these services? A panel will discuss the value of specific types of services, such as carbon sequestration and nutrient management. What do selling and trading for these services mean for farmland protection?

Moderator: Bob Wagner, Senior Director, Farmland Protection Programs, American Farmland Trust Panelists: Brent Sohngen, Professor, Dept. of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics, OSU and Dusty Hall, Manager, Program Development, Miami Conservancy District

Morning Concurrent Sessions - 10:45 am - Noon

1. 2007 Census of Agriculture - AUDIO and PRESENTATION (.ppsx)

The Census of Agriculture, taken every five years, is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. We’ll highlight Ohio’s results and how you can find further information, analyze the data and examine possible impacts this may have for farmland preservation and your community.

Moderator:  Mark Forni, Deputy Director, Ohio Department of Agriculture
Speaker: James Ramey, Director, USDA-NASS, Ohio Field Office

2. First-hand Farmland Preservation - AUDIO

Hear first-hand testimonials from Ohio farmers who have permanently preserved their farms using a variety of techniques ranging from State and Federal easement programs, to working with local non-profit land trusts. Farmers will discuss their experiences participating in the State's Clean Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program and the Federal Farm & Ranchland Protection Program, as well as donating conservation easements to land trusts.

Moderator: Julia Musson, Associate Director of Conservation Funding, Western Reserve Land Conservancy
Speakers: Jarvis Babcock, Lorain County Farm Owners; Fred Cannon, Wayne County Farm Owner; and, Jim Fulton, Greene County Farm Owner

3. Food Policy and Ohio Farmland - AUDIO - Raison PRESENTATION - Trinckes PRESENTATION - Trinckes HANDOUT

This session will focus on the growing interest in food policy across Ohio. In addition to the state Food Policy Council there are 11 existing or emerging local councils across Ohio. They represent a diverse group of interests and offer an opportunity to connect the dots between the food we eat and the land that feeds us. Ohio’s combination of fertile farmland and metropolitan areas has presented challenges to farmland preservation but that growing and moving line of rural-urban interface also presents some opportunities for the future of farmland in Ohio.

Moderator: Amalie Lipstreu, Senior Program Manager, Ohio Department of Agriculture
Speakers:  Brian Raison, Educator, OSU Extension; Beth Knorr, Market Manager, Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy; Vince Trinckes, District Technician, Mahoning County, Soil and Water Conservation District

4. What is agriculture? - AUDIO - Carneal PRESENTATION - Pennington HANDOUT

As issues such as energy production and local food systems become increasingly a part of community dialogue, it is critical that the very definition of agriculture come into question. The Ohio Department of Agriculture is currently considering new language for the state’s definition of agriculture. Come join the dialogue regarding not only what should qualify as agriculture, but why this discussion is critical.

Moderator: Peggy Kirk Hall, Director, Agricultural & Resource Law Program, OSU
Panelists: Kelly Carneal, Director, Partners for Open Space and Director of Rural Lands, 1000 Friends of Maryland; David Pennington, Legal Counsel, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation; and, Mike Eckhardt, Legislative Liaison, Ohio Department of Agriculture

Video Spotlight and Presentation - during lunch

Video Address: Kathleen Merrigan, Deputy Secretary, USDA - Ipod - *.mp4  Media Player - *.wmv  QuickTime - *.mov

Ag-Link Update: Kevin Boyce, Ohio Treasurer of State - AUDIO

Afternoon Concurrent Sessions - 1:15 - 2:30 pm

1.  Reducing Land Access Barriers for New Farmers - AUDIO - Sachs PRESENTATION

New farmers share their requirements, challenges, and actual or hoped-for solutions to having land to farm.

Moderator: Sharon Sachs, PhD, Consultant
Speakers: Mike Anderson, Sundog Specialty Crops, a Delaware County farm purchased at auction; Brad and Judith Wickensimer, Fayette County farmers seeking to buy farmland; Josh and Jeremy Gerwin, next generation farmers buying and renting land in Wood and Sandusky counties

2. Adapting to Climate Change through Sustainable Soil Management - AUDIO - PRESENTATION

This breakout session outlines the historic role of soils as a source of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and explains how soils can be used as a sink to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, oxidize methane and minimize emission of nitrous oxide thereby reducing the risks of global warming. Basic principles of soil management are discussed to adapt to changing climate for sustaining agronomic production while improving the environment. Potential of trading credits of carbon sequestered in soils is discussed as another income stream for farmers.

Moderator: Amalie Lipstreu, Senior Program Manager, Ohio Department of Agriculture
Speaker: Rattan Lal, Professor, School of Environment & Natural Resources, OSU

3. Gauging Support for Farmland Protection - AUDIO - Magaw PRESENTATION

Ever wonder what community members think about farmland preservation, if local voters would support a ballot initiative, whether or not farmers are satisfied with farmland protection options? This session provides an overview of using surveys to answer these questions and others. Results from a Clark County voter survey and a survey of Agricultural Easement Purchase Program participants will be reviewed.

Moderator: Jeff Sharp, Associate Professor, Human and Community Resource Development, OSU
Speakers: Jill Clark, Center for Farmland Policy Innovation, OSU and Krista Magaw, Executive Director, Tecumseh Land Trust

4. Preserving the Farm Business - AUDIO - Moore PRESENTATION - Marrison PRESENTATION

Estate and business planning for the future of the farm is an important step towards preserving a farm operation. Learn how different types of business organizations can address farm viability, whether maintaining a farm business, diversifying an operation, or transitioning the farm to a family member or new owner.

Moderator: Peggy Kirk Hall, Director, Agricultural & Rural Law, Dept. of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics, OSU
Speakers: David Marrison, Educator, OSU Extension and Robert Moore, Attorney, Wright Law

Afternoon Plenary - 2:45 - 3:45 pm

Balancing Growth and Restoring Prosperity: The Role of Farmland Protection - AUDIO - Hammett HANDOUT - Hammett PRESENTATION

Rethink the future of Ohio’s economy and landscape and discuss the implications the changes can have on farmers, farming and farmland. Learn about two innovative initiatives, Ohio Lake Erie Commission and the Ohio Water Resources Council’s Balanced Growth Watershed Plans and Greater Ohio’s Restoring Prosperity. Understand the vision of these movements and how to engage and connect our communities.

Moderator: Jill Clark, Director, Center for Farmland Policy and Innovation, OSU
Panelists: Gene Krebs, Co-Director, Greater Ohio and Edwin Hammett, Executive Director, Ohio Lake Erie Commission

Ohio Proud Farmers Market and Music by Loosely Strung - 3:45 - 4:30 pm

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e: cffpi@osu.edu; p: 614.247.6479; f: 614.292.0078
m: Center for Farmland Policy Innovation, Dept. of Agricultural, Environmental, & Development Econ.
103 Agricultural Administration Bldg., 2120 Fyffe Rd., Columbus, Ohio  43210  USA