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Organics 101 will share with Ohio farmers how they can start to profit from a growing demand for organic foods. Thinking about switching over or starting an organic grain or horticulture operation? An upcoming workshop that features organic farmers and researchers will help point you in the right direction.

The “Organics 101” workshop will be held March 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Fisher Auditorium at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) in Wooster. The workshop’s sponsors are the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) and Organic Food & Farming Education & Research (OFFER), which consists of Ohio State University researchers and Ohio farmers.

“The motivation for the workshop is that the demand (for organics) is increasing substantially every year. Production in the U.S. is nowhere near demand,” said Mike Anderson, organic educator for OEFFA, a 29-year old group that promotes and supports sustainable, ecological and healthful food systems.

The workshop will focus on organic production practices, including soil biology, crop rotation and pests, and the organic certification process, Anderson said. Organic farmers will talk during the afternoon sessions about what has worked for them and how to successfully market organic products. Anderson noted that the workshop is not for livestock or dairy operations. “Organic farmers will be presenting much of the sessions; they’ll be highlighting case studies of grain and vegetable operations,” he said.

If registered by March 10, the cost is $20 for OEFFA members and $25 for non-members. After March 10, the cost is $30 and walk-ins are welcome. The cost includes lunch.

“We’re expecting a strong turnout because the demand for organics continues to grow,” Anderson said. To register or for more information, contact OARDC’s Kathy Bielek at 330-202-3528 or check out OEFFA’s Web site at www.oeffa.org.