What we’re about
## Licking County and Central Ohio Garden Enthusiasts: Growing Community Through Local Gardening
NEW GROUP!
We're just getting started and looking for our first members to help this community grow from the ground up!
We're a relaxed community of gardening enthusiasts in Licking County and Central Ohio who share a passion for native plants, pollinators, sustainable practices, and Ohio's natural beauty.
*What to expect:*
• Regular posts about local gardening events, classes, plant sales, workshops, and nature programs, free monthly online virtual webinars
• Opportunities to connect with fellow gardeners in our rural community
• A platform to share gardening tips, plant suggestions, and local resources
• Occasional informal meetups at community gardens, arboretums, and nature centers
*A personal note from the organizer:*
As a recent transplant to the area, I'm starting this group to put down roots in more ways than one! Gardening has brought me joy, better health, connection with nature, and a sense of purpose - benefits I hope to share with neighbors who feel the same way.
*This group is perfect for anyone interested in:*
• Learning about Ohio native plants and supporting pollinators
• Discovering local gardening resources and events you might otherwise miss (and occasional events in other parts of Ohio including Cincinnati, Cleveland, Wooster, Athens, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Dayton and beyond)
• Connecting with neighbors who share your gardening interests (vegetables, trees, native plants, pollinators, flowers, herbs, food preservation, integrated pest management, invasive plant management, organic and conventional, garden art and crafts, took care and safety)
• Building a more resilient, nature-friendly community in our rural area
Whether you're an experienced gardener or just starting out, join us to stay informed about local gardening happenings and connect with like-minded enthusiasts in Licking County and beyond!
No membership fees or participation requirements - simply join, stay informed, and participate when you can.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Learn About Woodland Farming - 2025 Southern Ohio Forest Farming ConferenceUnited Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary, Rutland, OH
Learn About Woodland Farmin
Hosted by Appalachian Forest Farmer Coalition appalachianforestfarmers.org
And Rural Action Sustainable Forestry Presents the 2025 SOFFCFrom Forest Floor to Market Door: Cultivating Success in Forest Farming
🌿 2025 Southern Ohio Forest Farming Conference: From Forest Floor to Market Door 🌿
📅 September 26–28, 2025
đź“Ť United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary, Rutland, Ohio
🎟️ Register on Eventbrite | Scholarships available through Rural Action!⸻
Ready to deepen your connection with the forest and grow your forest farming enterprise?
Join forest farmers, herbalists, educators, and entrepreneurs from across Appalachia for a weekend of hands-on learning, networking, and inspiration at the 2025 Southern Ohio Forest Farming Conference.Whether you’re just getting started or already managing a successful forest-based business, this immersive gathering offers tools, training, and community to help you grow and thrive.
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🍄 Topics include:
• Cultivating forest medicinals like goldenseal, ramps, ginseng, and elderberry
• Mushroom growing & forest farming systems
• Value-added products, agritourism, & marketing strategies
• Regenerative practices, conservation, and land stewardship⸻
🎤 Featured Speakers:
• Dr. Jeanine Davis – Renowned author, researcher & forest farming extension specialist
• Ed & Carole Daniels – Shady Grove Botanicals & Plant the Seed Project
• Rick Felumlee – Mayapple Farms
• Will Lewis – Yew Mountain Center
• Tanner Filyaw – United Plant Savers
• Chip Carroll – United Plant Savers & Woodland Wise Botanicals
• Weston Lombard – Solid Ground Farm
• Soulshine Earth – Mushroom farmers & educators
• Roy Ramey – Veteran, regenerative farmer & educator
• Janice Hogrefe – Turkeyfoot Creek Elderberry Farm📚 Read full bios & details heree
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đź’ˇ Why attend?
• Expand your forest farming knowledge and skills
• Connect with regional leaders and fellow growers
• Explore one of the most biodiverse sanctuaries in Appalachia
• Walk away with practical tools to grow your impact and income⸻
📅 Don’t wait!
Spots fill up quickly. Scholarships are available through Rural Action, and lodging options are nearby.Let’s grow together – from forest floor to market door!
Appalachian Forest Farmer Coalition & appalachianforestfarmers.org
United Plant Savers Goldenseal Botanical Sanctuary
35703 Loop Road Rutland, OH 45775
The $100 registration fee includes a keynote presentation, 5 classroom sessions, 4 field sessions, a panel with seasoned forest farmers and agritourism professionals, 2 workshops, 1 farm tour, and 5 meals. Attendees have multiple lodging options within a 15mi radius or camp at the United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary for $10 (paid upon entry via cash, check or card).
- Sorghum FestivalHistoric Simon Farm - Portsmouth, Portsmouth , OH
Sorghum Festival
Hosted by Simon Farm and Arc of AppalachiaSaturday, Sept. 27 - Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025
at historic Simon Farm, W. Portsmouth, OHHeld from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Immerse yourself in the rich rural heritage of Appalachia. Breathe in the sweet steam of old-fashioned sorghum syrup and watch the entire process of sorghum making from cane harvest, to a finished mason jar of goodness. A variety of Appalachian artisans will be demonstrating rural Appalachian arts, agrarian skills, and live music jamming traditional mountain music
Free to the public. No RSVP needed to attend, show up anytime
Click here for more information about the festival
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What is Sorghum?Sorghum is a sturdy grass that is cultivated around the world as an important food crop. A staple in the Appalachian diet since the mid-1800’s, it is planted in early spring and its robust canes are harvested in the fall. The canes are pressed and the juice produced is cooked until it thickens into a natural sweetener with many culinary applications. Only 10 gallons of the sweet juice are needed to produce 1 gallon of syrup. During the festival, you can watch the process from start to finish and purchase fresh sorghum syrup to take home with you as supplies last.
Enjoy a beautiful natural setting. The Sorghum Festival also honors the splendor of the Appalachian forests and landscapes that inspired the culture and lives of our nation’s Appalachian peoples. The Simon Farm protects hundreds of acres of mature white oak woodlands – a forest much older than those typically found in Ohio. Visitors to the farm are encouraged to tune in to the deep connection between nature and Appalachian culture throughout this event
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Appalachian culture. The Sorghum Festival is a lively celebration featuring impromptu music circles where the melodies of traditional stringed instruments fill the air. Wander through the farm and watch skilled artisans demonstrate heritage crafts like corn husk doll making, wheat weaving, and quilting.
Experience rural life skills that have stood the test of time in Appalachia, including wool spinning and soap-making. It’s a vibrant gathering honoring the artistry and ingenuity of Appalachian life—perfect for all ages to enjoy!
Admission: Parking and Admission are free.
Address: 8721 Careys Run Pond Creek Road, Portsmouth, OH 45663 - NPSNEO: Woody Shrub Identification WorkshopNorth Chagrin Nature Center , Willoughby Hills, OH
Limited registration on NPSNEO website at www.nativeplantsocietyneo.org
Woody Shrub Identification Workshop
Saturday, September 27, 2025,
10:00am-Noon -
North Chagrin Reservation Nature Center - 3037 SOM Center Rd,
Willoughby Hills OH.Cleveland Metroparks
Wetland Ecologist John Reinier leads this program to help distinguish the numerous woody shrubs inhabiting our woodlands and wetlands.Registration required
www.nativeplantsocietyneo.org
