The Microfarm Project
ABOUT THE MICROFARM
The Microfarm Project makes the business of sustainable urban farming accessible, equitable, and profitable by leveraging the knowledge and science of the land grant university to grow cooperative businesses, make microfarming profitable, train new microfarmers, address racial and social justice by creating access to microfarming opportunity, study the impacts of microfarming on the surrounding community and ecosystems, and connect students to knowledge, research, and service opportunities in and around microfarming. Since 2017, Ohio State University Associate Professor Kip Curtis has been building partnerships and recruiting collaborators to pilot a microfarming system in Mansfield, Ohio. Since 2019, OSU, The North End Community Improvement Collaborative, IdeaWorks, Braintree Business Solutions, and The Richland County Foundation, along with a dozen aspirational microfarmers from Mansfield and Richland County, have been piloting the first microfarm aggregation system with the support of the Foundation for Food and Agriculture’s Seeding Solutions grant program. In 2020, with the support of the Office of Outreach and Engagement, Dr. Curtis began conversations with community leaders and others in Marion about expanding this program to Marion.
You are invited to participate in the Marion Microfarm Summit
Thursday, October 7, 4-8 p.m. at the Marion Palace Theater, May Pavilion
Leadership Marion is proud to host a Marion Microfarm Summit to inform and engage the community in the Marion project! Microfarming is the business of sustainable urban farming, and the Marion Microfarm project aims to make it accessible, equitable, and profitable. Those interested in urban farming, creating job opportunities, educating, or bettering the Marion community in general are urged to attend. The summit is free and open to the public. You will have the opportunity to participate in two of four engaging breakout sessions. Food and refreshments will be provided. Masks required. Deadline to sign up is Monday, September 27, 2021.
Register online at: https://tinyurl.com/yykvm7pm
This event is founded by the 2021 Leadership Marion Class and is hosted by the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce. This event is sponsored by Ohio State Marion and Whirlpool, Marion Operations.
>>> CHECK OUT THE FULL VIDEO PLAYLIST BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT URBAN AGRICULTURE AND THE OPPORTUNITIES MICROFARMING CAN BRING TO YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY.
For specific details on getting involved contact:
Kent (Kip) Curtis
Associate Professor
curtis.457@osu.edu
419-755-4380
Ovalwood Hall
1760 University Dr.
Mansfield, OH 44906
INTERSTED IN GETTING INVOLVED IN THE MICROFARM PROJECT IN MARION? >>> TAKE OUR SURVEY
OSU Media Coverage:
Construction Begins for Micro-Farm on Ohio State Mansfield Campus
The Ohio State University-Mansfield
Ohio State Mansfield builds micro-farm
Farm and Dairy, Catie Noyes – October 27, 2017
Mansfield micro-farm part of larger vision to impact local food system
Farm World, Doug Graves – November 17, 2017
OSU Mansfield micro-farm a potential model for new food system
Richland Source, Tom Brennan – April 8, 2018
OSU-M microfarm project advances in Alliance for the American Dream competition
Richland Source – December 21, 2018
OSU students are redefining urban agriculture
Morning Ag Clips – March 22, 2018
OSU-Mansfield ready to expand micro-farm program to Mansfield community
Mansfield News Journal, Al Lawrence – March 29, 2019
Ohio State Mansfield and FFAR Launch $2 Million Food System Project
Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research – May 2, 2019
Ohio State-Mansfield and food/ag researchers launch $2 million food system project
Richland Source – May 2, 2019
Mansfield Microfarm Project will support economy, supply local produce
Ohio State News – May 2, 2019
OSU Mansfield to pilot urban agriculture project
Farm and Dairy – May 2, 2019
'Micro-farm' to bring fresh produce to food deserts in Mansfield area
News Channel 5 Cleveland – May 10, 2019 (updated)
Brown Announces $2 Million for Ohio State University at Mansfield to Launch Sustainable Food System Project
Sherrod Brown, U.S. Senator for Ohio – May 13, 2019
Ohio State University at Mansfield Launches $2M Sustainable Food System Project
Smart Cities Connect Media & Research – May 15, 2019
Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research awards grant to Ohio State University to launch urban sustainable food system
Refrigerated & Frozen Foods – May 15, 2019
WHAT IS MICRO FARMING?
Hello Homestead, Sam Schipani – July 10, 2019
Mansfield microfarm booms thanks to community support
Richland Source, Katie Hunt- July 25, 2019
OHIO STATE MANSFIELD STUDENT AND PROFESSOR CREATE URBAN AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM FOR FOOD DESERTS
The Lantern, Lily Maslia – September 5, 2019
New 'Micro Farm' Model Tested At OSU Mansfield Urban Agriculture Project
Be Well podcast
NECIC Media Coverage:
$2 Million Food System Aims To Make Produce Accessible
WMFD, Jenna Ramolt – May 10, 2019
OSU Mansfield Micro-Farm Begins First Harvest
WMFD, Jesse Smith – May 20, 2019
New 'Micro Farm' Model Tested At OSU Mansfield Urban Agriculture Project
Ideastream, Lucia Bushak – May 20, 2019
Producers begin harvesting crops at OSU-Mansfield microfarm
Mansfield News Journal, Monroe Trombly – May 21, 2019
Bonham: 6 new microfarms to take root in Mansfield
Mansfield News Journal, Tom Brennan – July 26, 2019
Urban farm planned for former Gorman-Rupp site on Mansfield's north end
Richland Source – July 28, 2019
NECIC invites community to Sept. 6 grand opening of the Urban Farm
Richland Source – August 21, 2019
NECIC Urban Farm Opens With Ribbon Cutting
WMFD – September 6, 2019
Urban gardens planted to feed downtown Mansfield
Mansfield News Journal, Zach Tuggle – September 10, 2019
Urban farm project a growing success in Mansfield
Richland Source, Carl Hunnell – April 15, 2020
GrowFourth Media Coverage:
Ribbon-cutting officially launches the Stanfield family's 'GrowFourth Urban Farm'
Richland Source, Carl Hunnell – October 1, 2019
Fifth Graders Help at Urban Farm
St. Peter’s School, Kathy Morris – October 19, 2019
Stanfield family leads way for GrowFourth Urban Farm
Mansfield News Journal, Monroe Trombly
Richland Gro-Op Media Coverage:
Growing together: Mansfield microfarm cooperative heads into second year
Farm and Dairy, Sarah Donaldson – February 20, 2020
Ohio Microfarm Project Media Coverage:
Mansfield Microfarm Project
The Working Landscapes Lab, Forbes Lipschitz – 2019
Ohio Microfarm Project Receives $170,000 Investment from Schmidt Futures
Sustainability Institute at The Ohio State University – January 28, 2020
Ohio project partners urban, rural microfarms
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, Matt Ernst – February 2020
Growing Community Through the Mansfield Microfarm
Sustainability Institute at The Ohio State University, Meredith Oglesby – August 6, 2020
Urban microfarm dream coming true in Mansfield
Richland Source, Carl Hunnell – October 24, 2020
Mansfield Microfarms craft sustainable urban agriculture model
College of Arts and Sciences, College News – February 15, 2021
Microfarm Project (mentioned):
Food and Farming in a Time of Uncertainty
Ohio State University, Angela Blatt and Dana Hilfinger
It’s Maple Syrup Time at The Ohio State University Mansfield Campus
Richland Source, Carl Hunnell