Farm Forward Day aims to advance agriculture, education and workforce opportunities in Southeast Ohio

SARAHSVILLE - Buckeye Hills Regional Council, in partnership with Noble Local School District, will host Farm Forward Day, a regional learning and networking event focused on strengthening agriculture-related education, workforce development, value-added production and innovative farming pathways in Southeast Ohio.

This free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at Green Acres Farm Complex, 49822 Seneca Lake Road, Sarahsville, and is sponsored by the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

According to a press release about the event, Farm Forward Day will bring together school districts, agricultural producers, workforce partners, community organizations and regional stakeholders to explore practical ways to connect local agriculture with education and economic development.

The day's program will feature discussions on:

* USDA Farm to School Program opportunities for school districts;

* Agricultural career pathways and opportunities to connect students with careers in agriculture;

* Meat processing and workforce development, including strategies to address critical industry gaps; and

* Non-traditional agriculture pathways and opportunities for innovation and value-added production.

Following the program, participants will tour Green Acres Farm Complex and see demonstrations from the Noble Local and New Lexington school districts.

Farm Forward Day supports the agriculture goals outlined in Buckeye Hills Regional Council's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy by strengthening outreach with educational institutions, expanding awareness of USDA Farm to School best practices, and exploring workforce and industry opportunities related to agriculture, according to the press release.

Registration is free, and Noble Local School District will provide lunch. Interested attendees can register at www.buckeyehills.org/events/farm-forward-day.

Questions about Farm Forward Day may be directed to Jada Riley, development specialist, at jriley@buckeyehills.org or 740-376-7636.

To learn more about Buckeye Hills Regional Council, visit www.buckeyehills.org, call 740-374-9436 or 1-800-331-2644 (toll-free), or email info@buckeyehills.org.