Southern Ohio Forest Farming Conference
Overview | Schedule | Speakers | Registration
Lodging | Scholarships | Contact | Safety Statement | Links & Map
What's new on this page as of June 18, 2021?
Event page launched!
Event Overview
When
The Southern Ohio Forest Farming Conference will be on August 27-29, 2021. We will begin at 5:30pm on Friday evening and continue through Sunday at 11:30am.
Where
Our workshop host, Rural Action, welcomes you to the United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary in Rutland, Ohio.
Who
Anyone interested in learning more about forest farming.
What
The Southern Ohio Forest Farming Conference will provide participants with opportunities to learn about multiple forest farming topics and strategies, including wild simulated ginseng, goldenseal, and mushroom cultivation, post-harvest handling considerations for herb producers, as well as herb walks and value-added product demonstrations. The conference has a great line-up of highly experienced teachers that will help participants gain a broad understanding of the many facets and opportunities of forest farming.
Schedule & Program
Schedule Overview with Instructors Listed
Friday, August 27
4:00-5:30pm, Registration
5:30pm, Welcome
6:00pm, Dinner
7:00pm, Keynote: Bob Beyfuss
7:45pm, Q&A with Bob Beyfuss, Eric Burkhart, Chip Carroll, Rick Felumlee, Chris Chmiel
8:30pm, Adjourn
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Saturday, August 28
8:00am, Plant Walk (optional)
8:30am, Registration
9:00-11:00am, Rotating Field Stations
Propagation with Chip Carroll
Wild-simulated Ginseng with Bob Beyfuss
Mushroom cultivation with Rick Felumlee
Forest farming goldenseal with Eric Burkhart
11:15am, Post Harvest Handing and GAPs for Herb Growers with Robin Suggs
12:15pm, Lunch
1:00pm, Concurrent Session 1
Ramps with Tanner Filyaw
Pawpaws and Persimmons with Chris Chmiel
2:15pm, Panel Discussion: Current Gaps in Supply Chains & How Industry can Help Support Forest Farming
Moderator: John Munsell
Panelists: Chip Carroll, Ed Fletcher, Robin Suggs, Ed Daniels, Carole Daniels
3:30pm, Concurrent Session 2
Business Planning for Botanical Forest Farmers with Ed and Carole Daniels
Business Planning for Mushroom Cultivators with Rick Felumlee
4:30pm, Adjourn
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Sunday, August 29
8:00am, Morning Herb Walk (optional)
9:30-11:45am, Rotating Value-added Stations
Tincture Making
Elderberry Products with Maureen Burns
Edibles with Chris Chmiel
Salves with Ed & Carole Daniels
12pm, Adjourn
Download the complete schedule HERE.
Speakers
Bob Beyfuss, Independent Agroforestry Consultant
Maureen Burns, Herbal Sage Tea Company
Chip Carroll, United Plant Savers
Chris Chmiel, Integration Acres
Ed and Carole Daniels, Shady Grove Botanicals
Ed Fletcher, Native Botanicals, Inc.
Tanner Filyaw, Rural Action
Robin Suggs, Appalachian Sustainable Development
You can view Instructor bios HERE.
Registration Types and Fees
Registration will open on July 15. Please check here for registration link.
The cost of a Conference Ticket will be announced soon. Each Conference Ticket will include all instruction, dinner on Friday and lunch on Saturday.
Participants will have the option of purchasing meal tickets for breakfast on Saturday, Dinner on Saturday and/or breakfast on Sunday. This option will be available on the event registration form.
Lodging & Travel
The United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary (UpS) is located at 35703 Loop Rd, Rutland, OH 45775.
Lodging options are listed below by location. Please note that we are not endorsing or promoting any of these properties but rather offering options in the area.
Camping at UpS
Camping will be available at the United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary (event location). The fee is $15 per night. You would need to bring all of your own camping equipment your own food for the meals not provided by the conference. You would have the option to purchase tickets for these meals when you purchase your conference ticket: Saturday breakfast, Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast.
Camping reservations will be made through HippCamp and the reservation link will be added here by July 1.
Lodging options in Rutland (the same town as the UpS Sanctuary)
Lodging options in Athens (about a 30-minute drive to the UpS Sanctuary)
Athens Central Hotel (Downtown Athens)
The Ohio University Inn, Hyde House
Lodging options in Gallipollis (about a 30-minute drive to the UpS Sanctuary)
Scholarship Opportunities
If you would like to inquire about financial assistance to attend this event, please email Tanner Filyaw at
General Questions
If you have any questions about this event, please email Tiffany Brown at
Safety Statement
COVID-19 is an ever-evolving global pandemic. As such, we will follow Center for Disease (CDC) and/or Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and/or Ohio Department of Health (ODH) guidelines for COVID-19 at the time of the event. This may require participants to socially distance and/or to wear a face mask. Official guidelines will be shared with registrants a week prior to the event.
