The success of last weekend’s restoration agriculture workshop translates to “more to come,” according to Jonah Agner, one of the workshop sponsors.

Held Sept. 15-17 at Agner farms in rural Bluffton, nearly 30 participants from across Ohio and Michigan heard nationally acclaimed speaker, Mark Shepard, share about hands-on restoration agriculture.

According to Agner, plans are underway for a second weekend workshop next spring.

Shepard shared his expertise with attendees’ interested learning about tools and strategies for creating restoration agriculture designs.

On Saturday participants assisted Shepard as he demonstrated and helped the Agners set up a multi-species agricultural forestry system. The system will eventually grow regular crops between the terraces created on Saturday.

The terraces capture rainwater allowing the water to spread across the side of the terraces instead of allowing the water to run away.

“Coupled with that will be a row of tall trees, medium trees, shrubs, vines and cane fruits, planted in single rows,” Shepard explained.

Brothers Jerrod, Joel and Jonah hosted the workshop.

The three brothers and their families intend to support the community using regenerative agricultural practices. Those practices focus on native perennial plants to produce food, fuel, fiber and medicine.

PHOTOS BELOW SHOW TERRACE CONSTRUCTION IN PROCESS -