Central State University Extension hosts first Urban and Small-scale Farm Conference

Above: About a dozen young enthusiasts participated in the Central State University Extension Urban and Small-scale Farm Conference in Wilberforce.

Central State University Extension recently hosted its first Urban and Small-Scale Farm Conference at Central State University in Wilberforce, drawing more than 30 farmers and farm professionals and about a dozen youth participants. 

The two-day conference highlighted resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that can help Ohio's urban and small-scale farmers increase sustainability and profitability for their farms. Participants met with Central State's agricultural researchers to learn about applicable research designed to help their farms.  

"The purpose of this conference is to connect you with our researchers who are doing a lot of great work," said Dr. Jose Toledo, Central State's Vice President for Research and Economic Development and Director of 1890 Land-Grant Programs. "We want you to be aware of that work that they are doing. We want you also to be part of that work and to help us to improve our research." 

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Conference speakers included the following Central State research faculty: Rajveer Dhillon (emerging technologies in agricultural systems); Luke Farno and Mark Campbell (specialty corn); Pratibha Gupta (nutrigenomics); Sakthi Kumaran (soils and water); Robert Korir (food safety); Marcus Nagle and Kathleen Carter (food, nutrition, and health); and Kazi Islam (diabetes and cardiovascular diseases). 

Presentation topics included "Know Your Soils" with Kumaran, "Tools for Urban and Small-farm Efficiency" with Dhillon and Eric Smith, "Biomechanics on the Farm" with Carter and Alvin Wilkerson; and "Food Safety and Hydroponic Growing" with Korir and Denise Natoli Brooks.

Toledo stressed to the attendees that their feedback is invaluable in directing Central State researchers to solve society's challenges in sustainable and climate-smart agriculture. 

"We need your feedback to say, 'We want you to pivot in this direction in your research, because what you are doing is not applicable to me.' That's the kind of feedback we need from you," he said.  

Others who presented were Extension educators Michelle Wallace, Marc Amante, Natoli Brooks, Nellie Rowland, Smith, and Alvin Wilkerson. The event also featured break-out sessions where farmers interacted one-on-one with Extension educators and researchers. 

As a Land-Grant Institution, Central State is charged with a tripartite mission of research, teaching and extension (outreach), Toledo emphasized.  

"Extension is where we transfer the knowledge that we gain here at the University (through research) to our constituents — to farmers like you," he said. 

"We want to make sure that that knowledge gets to you, so that you can use it to be more profitable, to have more sustainable programs on your farm." 

The conference was funded with a USDA 2501 grant that provided the resources to host the event for three years, according to Dr. Alcinda Folck, Associate Extension Administrator.  

"Feedback from participants indicated gains in knowledge about research at Central State University and intention to become involved when possible," she said. "Participants also gained information about resources available to help their farm." 

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According to a post-event survey, most respondents felt strongly that they could make new connections with other farmers, experts, vendors, and others at the conference and learned about resources they didn't know before. One respondent wrote:

"I appreciated the educators being available for small group and one-on-one conversation throughout the conference." 

The next Urban and Small-scale Farm Conference will be held on Jan. 23 and 24, 2026, featuring an expanded resource fair, interactive presentations, and more topics. For more information, contact Dr. Folck at 937-376-6101 or afolck@centralstate.edu.