info@bipocfoodandfarmnetwork.org
• Anyone with an interest in food & agriculture
• Aspiring Growers & Food producers
• Foodies
• Students of all ages
• Advocates & Community Members
• Volunteers & Advocates
BUILDING AN EQUITABLE FOOD SYSTEM where historically under-resourced
communities can routinely access affordable, culturally relevant, nutrient-dense
food while producers of color move from surviving to thriving.
HELPING OHIO FARMERS — especially those from historically marginalized
communities — navigate today’s most urgent agricultural challenges, including
capital, land, and market access; market instability.
PROVIDING GRASSROOTS RELATIONSHIPS, regional leadership, and dynamic
communication tools that keep farmers informed and engaged. Through
newsletters, social media updates, email lists, and online sessons, BFFN shares
critical information about funding, policy, training, and market opportunities.
These channels ensure that no grower is left out of the loop, regardless of
geography or farm size.
This year, we are thrilled to honor Edgemont Solar Garden with 2025 Excellence Award at Saturday night’s Awards Dinner. Executive Board Member Nikol Miller who grew up in the neighborhood and is now executive director of the Miami Valley Urban League, will share the center’s story and impact on her life.
Edgemont Solar Garden was founded in 1978 as a neighborhood, city and university partnership that transformed a razed factory site on Miami Chapel Road in Dayton into a neighborhood garden and community center. Over the past 40 years, the Solar Garden and center provided valuable programs within the neighborhood, including serving as a incubator site for Central State University’s Beginning Farmer program. Harvest from the Garden, including its signature collards, have provided fresh vegetables to the neighborhood. Other partners supporting the work of Edgemont Solar Garden include the Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association, West Dayton Food Access Collective, Dunbar High School and Mt. Olive Baptist Church, to name a few.
The 2025 Youth and Young Professional Award recipient is Te’Lario Watkins II, founder of Tiger Mushroom Farms.
Te’Lario is a nationally recognized youth entrepreneur, urban farmer, and advocate for food justice. At just seven years old, he founded Tiger Mushroom Farms, growing gourmet mushrooms for local farmers markets, restaurants, and grocery stores. His passion for agriculture has inspired thousands to explore entrepreneurship, STEM, and healthier eating.
In 2020, Te’Lario launched The Garden Club Project, a nonprofit dedicated to ending hunger and encouraging kids to eat healthier. His leadership has earned national recognition, including the 10 Under 20 Hormel Food Hero Award (2023), participation in the Disney Dreamers Academy (2024), and selection as a STEM Next Opportunity Fund Flight Crew Member (2025).
Te’Lario has also shared his vision on platforms, including his TEDxOhioStateUniversity talk, “The Future of Food.” He continues to empower young people to grow food, build leadership skills, and create more equitable and sustainable food systems.
From 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., join us at Central State University’s location in Dayton for a full day of workshops and skill shares. No pre-registration required, conference registrants will receive time slots for workshops after registration.
Munchies & Medicinals
Mushroom Cooking Demonstration and Herbal Tea Blends with Melanated Mushrooms
Heir Property & Succession Planning
Keeping farmland in the family with the Bean Foundation and S&B Farm
Forest Farming in the City
Design an urban forest with native and medicinal plants with Black & Green and the MushRoom
Food Preservation: Emergency Kits & Seed Banks
Create a 15+ day emergency food kit and seed bank with Resilient Roots Doula.
Fun with Ferments
Learn to ferment crops for food preservation and soil enrichment with Raine of the Seeding Reclamation Coalition.
Farmland Leasing Basics
Join Jerah Pettibone of the Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association for this 101 on agricultural land acquisition.
Creating an Urban Garden or Farm Business
Plan and launch retail garden projects for diverse clients led by Dr. Jarrod Dortch of Solful Gardens
Beekeeping & Pollinators 101
Intro to beekeeping and creating pollinator friendly spaces with Jim Embry.
Not Your Granddad’s Farm Stand: Build an Online Store
Set up your Square online store from start to finish bring your laptop
Herbal Preparations: Extractions & Fire Cider
Craft your own immune-boosting Fire Cider using traditional herbs with Donee Boykin of Endigos Herbals and Organics.
Scaling Your Farm Business
Begin to realize a return on your investment and ways to make your farm a business with Elect Leadership Academy
Hydroponics Skill Share
Learn tips for successful hydroponic farming with Damon Bazziel of AGrowCulture LLC.
Tour three area urban and rural agriculture operations lead by BFFN members.
Edgemont Solar Garden
Efinity Harvest Farm
A member of the Seven Seed Sowers farming collective.
Eden’s Harvest Urban Farm
Thank you!
