Ohio State University Extension is conducting research on building connections between local farmers and producers and early care and education (ECE) sites in Ohio, as part of an effort to strengthen the Farm to ECE movement.  

Purpose and eligibility 

The survey covers current selling methods, communication and interest in working with ECE sites. Your responses will be kept confidential and will help us better understand the current landscape of local food sales and identify ways to build connections between farmers and early care providers in Ohio. Findings will be used to better communicate the farm to ECE initiative, build relationships between local producers and ECE sites and inform the development of additional farm to ECE resources. 

All farmers and producers who operate in Ohio are eligible to participate. The online survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and contains multiple choice and open-ended questions. By completing the survey, you consent to participate in research. 

Complete the survey to enter a drawing for one of the one-hundred $25 Amazon gift cards. By law, payments to participants are considered taxable income. All responses are voluntary. You may choose not to answer questions that you do not want to respond to. Refusal to participate will involve no penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled, and you may discontinue participation at any time.  

You will not directly benefit from your participation in this study. However, your participation in this study may contribute to improved materials for local food producers like yours.  

How to participate 

By September 21, 2025, click on this link to access the survey. By completing the survey, you provide consent to participate in the research. Click here to review the full consent. 

After completing the survey, you’ll have the option to share this invitation with other farmers or producers in your network. 

Questions? 

For questions or concerns about the study you may contact project coordinator, LaVanya Watkins, at Watkins.1008@osu.edu. 

For questions about your rights as a participant in this study or to discuss other study-related concerns or complaints with someone who is not part a member of the research team, you may contact the Office of Responsible Research Practices at 1-800-678-6251.