19th Annual Stinner Summit Projects Are Underway
Finding Common Ground: Connecting Farms, Food, and Community in the Western Lake Erie Watershed
We're excited to announce that four projects are underway as a result of this year's Stinner Summit in northwest Ohio. Projects were developed and voted on by event attendees to address common misunderstandings related to regional food and agriculture.
Stinner Summit projects rely on local leadership. We hope to share future updates about these projects as they progress in the coming year. Thanks to all who joined us in Bluffton in December to offer their insight, knowledge, and great ideas.
Jump to Projects or keep reading to learn more about this year's event.
About the Stinner Summit
The 19th Annual Stinner Summit took place on December 12, 2025, and drew 94 individuals to the Bluffton Marbeck Center at Bluffton University. The attendees gathered to exchange ideas supporting the theme of Finding Common Ground: Connecting Farms, Food, and Community in the Western Lake Erie Watershed.
Finding Common Ground
To start the discussion around this year’s topic, attendees worked in small assigned groups to identify regional strengths, challenges, and common misunderstandings related to food and agriculture. After discussing and Finding Common Ground, four major categories of common misunderstandings emerged.
The public does not understand what farmers have done to address environmental issues
False dichotomy between agriculture and environmental
Polarizing communications and media
The public/consumers do not understand the realities of farming
Once the categories were determined, guests broke into groups to produce project ideas that might help address these misunderstandings with support from the Stinner Summit Endowment.
Project Development
Attendees were invited to choose an emerging project idea that appealed to them and work together to brainstorm Stinner Summit projects. Work groups developed specific activities and identified specific individuals or organizations who could lead or contribute to their project. Each group presented, received feedback, and was given time to finalize their projects.
As the clock ticked down to our event end time, five groups shared a detailed Stinner project proposal, including objectives, activities, budget, and leadership plans.
Finally, it was time for everyone to vote for their favorite project ideas and offer specific IOUs for ways they could contribute to each effort.
Stinner Projects for 2025-2026
Our Stinner Endowment Committee met after the event to review votes, IOUs, and leadership commitments. The committee recommended four of the five project ideas for funding. Meetings are currently underway to begin work on these projects.
Filming Farmers
Leveraging work already being done at the Oberlin Food Hub, this project will use video to share farmer stories to address common misunderstandings around regional food and farming. Using Stinner funds, the group will add two additional days to film area farmers and others in the local food chain. The IOU’s for this project included help with social media boosting from Stinner Summit attendees and their networks, local college student help with video editing, and assistance creating a communications plan. The project will be led by Dave Sokol from Forest City Food Collective, Kurt Bench of Shared Legacy Farms, and Addie Kaple-Sguerra.
Farm, Environment, and Agriculture School Trips (FEAST)
The project was designed to close the knowledge gap between farms and the public. The project would support 2 fields trips during the school year, partnering with 2-4 school districts and 2-4 farms. During the summer two additional field trips would be scheduled for family education on the farm, at parks, and/or markets. Tours and field trips would include urban and rural schools and farms. The requested budget would cover transportation, food, materials, farmer stipends, and portable toilets. It would leverage existing connections in the group with school districts and farms, and agency outreach. Leadership will come from The Nature Conservancy and the Hancock County Farmers' Market.
Community Ag Synergy Hub (CASH)
This project would plan a series of events to discuss regional food system needs, with the ultimate goal of establishing a Northwest Regional Food Policy Council. Smaller gatherings could focus on food insecurity, regional marketing, better zoning and public ordinances, and other needs. A culminating larger meeting would help establish a network of agricultural stakeholders including producers, buyers, policy makers, educators, non-profit groups, researchers, and schools. The projected budget will cover food, speakers, travel, and marketing. Leadership for this project would be Adam Welly from Wayward Seed Farm, Mara Momenee from City of Toledo, Mia Lynch from Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center, and Justin Richardson from University of Findlay.
Nourishing our Neighbors
The Nourishing our Neighbors (or Sharing our Surplus) project will work to better connect farmers to food banks and soup kitchens and make it easier for farmers to donate surplus food items. The group will also promote awareness of these farms' donations to educate the public about where food comes from. Funding would assess and supplement existing lists, reach out to interested farmers, coordinate meetings to assess feasibility, manage data and outreach, and develop signage and promotional materials.
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The Stinner Summit is sponsored by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Agroecosystem Management Program, and the Ben Stinner Endowment.