CONFERENCE ADDRESSES CONCERNS

OF OHIO’S AFRICAN-AMERICAN FARMERS

The Ohio State University is co-sponsoring the first conference for African-American farmers in Ohio, “Sustaining Communities: Ohio’s Black Farmers at the Crossroads,” from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday (4/21), at the Stratford Ecological Center, 3083 Liberty Road, Delaware, Ohio.   

According to the 1997 Ohio Census of Agriculture, there are only 135 black farm owners in Ohio.  Nationally, African American farmers are declining at a much faster rate than that of other farming groups.  This conference gives farmers the chance to reverse the trend by sharing strategies, knowledge and success stories.  Influencing public policy, getting funds, and marketing and distribution are among the topics that will be discussed.

Ohio Representative Ray Miller will appear at 10 a.m. as a featured guest. 

Co-sponsored by Central State University, United States Department of Agriculture and Glory Foods, this event is free but advanced registration is required.  For registration information, contact Gail P. Myers, conference coordinator and graduate student in the Department of Anthropology, at (614) 885-4232.