NEWARK — As the winter chill settles over the Ohio Valley, many area residents find themselves looking forward to the renewal of spring.

And for those who hold a deep-seated passion for the land, that renewal begins with a special gathering planned in February.

Registration is officially open for the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association’s annual conference.

The milestone event is now entering its 47th year of bringing together farm and food advocates from across the region for a weekend of education and community building.

Scheduled to take place Feb. 13-15, this year’s conference has aptly been entitled, “Finding Common Ground.”

The event will be hosted at the Cherry Valley Hotel in Newark.

OEFFA Executive Director Khara Strum noted the significance of this year’s meeting, expressing excitement about gathering in community around sustainable and organic farming practices during what can be a quiet time of year.

Strum remarked the last year has been a difficult one for many.

The organization recognizes how uplifting it can be when community gathers together. She added this conference’s format will allow for greater connection between attendees, while still offering carefully curated content.

In a departure from the larger scales of the past, this year’s conference has been designed as a smaller, shorter and more intimate event.

That decision was made to foster deeper conversations and more meaningful networking, according to Strum.

This sense of closeness is particularly relevant given the message of the keynote speaker, historian and farmer Anneliese Abbott, who will deliver a presentation entitled “Working Together for Organic.”

Abbott is scheduled to speak at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14.

Her message strikes at the heart of the movement’s history, reminding us that organic, sustainable and regenerative farmers have always come from a wide range of backgrounds — spanning the political, cultural, racial and religious spectrums.

While this diversity has been a source of strength since OEFFA was founded in 1979, organizers recognize that in today’s era of extreme polarization, there is a risk of focusing so much on differences that the original mission can be lost.

When the organization first began, it was the unlikely alliance of New Left hippies, conservative family farmers and Catholic social justice advocates who found common ground through a shared passion for soil health, social justice and the desire for strong, resilient communities, according to officials.

Abbott’s journey through the past, present and future of organic farming serves as a reminder of what can be achieved when people work together toward a common goal.

Because of the move toward a more intimate setting, registration for this year’s event is restricted to 200 attendees due to space limitations.

Those interested in participating in this unique educational experience are encouraged to visit conference.oeffa.org for the full schedule and online registration.

Prospective attendees should keep in mind that registration will close on Feb. 5, or sooner if the limited spots sell out, making early sign-up a priority for anyone wishing to be part of this enduring Ohio tradition.