Mid-Ohio Growers 2-day meeting coming to Mt. Hope

In a world of uncertainty, one thing is certain: People need food. As consumers seek better and healthier lifestyles, the demand for fresh and local produce has never been greater.

Enter the Mid-Ohio Growers meeting, held at the Mt. Hope Event Center. The two-day event Jan. 11-12 is geared toward providing educational information on growing and marketing fruits, vegetables and flowers for small growers. The 12th annual event is designed for the grower looking to get started and gain knowledge from producers/growers who are experts in their field of work.

This year’s event will have more than 35 educational seminars featuring 27 speakers from around the nation and covering topics from growing fruits, vegetables, flowers and mushrooms to raising bees and maple syrup production. There will be simultaneous presentations in three rooms with sessions designed for people of differing interests.

Back by popular demand is the Q-and-A session, and this year six Q-and-As are scheduled. Attendees are encouraged to bring questions related to the specific session, and experts will give advice and solutions on how to handle specific problems.

The event is headlined by Kyle Rasch — known as Organic Kyle — from Third Leaf Farm. Rasch and his team grow apples on a 140-acre farm in Greenville, Michigan. They are certified organic and are currently working toward their regenerative certification. Rasch is the third generation producing apples and brings experience and innovation to the organic apple industry while also keeping an eye on the regeneration of the farm for future generations.

Rasch will present Transitioning from Conventional to Organic on Thursday, Jan. 11 and Maintaining and Maximizing Organic Tree Fruit on Friday, Jan. 12. He also will participate in a Q-and-A session on Thursday.

On Jan. 11 David Stoltzfus from Country Side Market will present Importance of Customer Service. Country Side Market is a retail garden center that also sells vegetables, bulk foods, supplements and other items. The multi-family operation was started 30 years ago with an “Eggs for sale” sign along a back road.

If vegetables and fruit growing aren’t your things, maybe flowers are. Jason Reeves will present Winning Flower Container Combos and The Old and New of Flower Varieties. Reeves grew up on a farm in Western Pennsylvania and brings experience as a research horticulturist who has worked at Opryland Conservatories in Nashville, Missouri Botanical Gardens, Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania and private gardens in New Zealand. He also is a landscape designer and consultant.

Business Relationships will feature Atlee Kauffman from Bentwood Solutions. Kauffman, a former owner and now a partner in the company, will provide insight on what it takes to build and run a successful business. He has two sons and a son-in-law involved in the business that currently has 44 employees.

The trade show with over 100 vendors provides attendees the opportunity to explore the latest ideas and innovations in the horticulture world.

Mrs. Yoder’s will provide a buffet lunch both days, and Thursday evening will feature refreshments, with the vendors allowing attendees the opportunity to network with fellow growers.

The event will culminate with a drawing for a 20-by-48-foot greenhouse at 2 p.m. on Jan. 12. All paid attendees will automatically be entered for the drawing.

The Mid-Ohio Growers meeting is open to the public, and no membership is required. The Mt. Hope Event Center is located at 8076 state Route 241 in Mt. Hope. Admission is $45 at the door, or you can preregister for $40. One admission covers both days and also includes the buffet from Mrs. Yoder’s. Attendees age 14 and under attend for free. Doors will open at 7 a.m., and the trade show will open at 8 a.m.

To preregister, send your name, address and $40 per attendee to Mid-Ohio Growers meeting, P.O. Box 111, Mt. Hope, OH 44660. The deadline for preregistration is Dec. 16. Call 330-275-7566 for more information or email midohiogrowersmtg@gmail.com. The event’s website is www.midohiogrowers.com.