Innovative Farmers of Ohio

ANN’S RASPBERRY FARM & SPECIALTY CROPS    www.annsraspberryfarm.com

6645 Blair Road     Fredericktown, OH 43019    740-694-1939

September 18, 1 pm to 4 pm

Entering its 7^th year, Ann’s Raspberry Farm & Specialty Crops specializes in chemical-free red raspberries, Brussels sprouts, onions and peppers grown on their 5 acre-farm in open fields and under high tunnel. As a Certified Naturally Grown farm, owners Daniel and Ann Trudel believe in using farming practices that usher good stewardship of the land in an ecological and sustainable manner.  Their fresh harvest can be found at 6 farmers markets throughout the Columbus area and also supplies local colleges and CSA.  A significant portion of their harvest is used daily to produce value-added product such as their award-winning line of artisan jam, jelly, relish, and mustard.  From August through October, the Trudels open their u-pick farm to provide opportunities for families to pick-their-own raspberries and Brussels sprouts against the backdrop of Knox County’s Amish countryside and scenic rolling hills

The tour will focus on the rewards and challenges and varied methods of growing chemical-free specialty crops, strategies for developing value-added products and a discussion on marketing value-added products for famers markets, e-commerce and other opportunities.  Product sampling will be available after the tour.

A Day in the Country

  Tour at Miller Livestock

IFO sponsored two farm tours in Trumbull County on Sunday, August 21st.  The first, at Red Basket Farm, featured Floyd Davis who has successfully expanded his customer base from a small farm stand to two farmers markets to select restaurants and now a farm to school program.  To keep up with ever growing demand for his specialty vegetables, he has added greenhouses and hoop houses as well as an informal co-operative with other local growers.

Most of the 40 or so attendees traveled a few miles down the road in the afternoon to learn from Aaron and Melissa Miller about their pastured livestock operation.  Dr. Susan Beal, a veterinarian from the staff of the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) was on had to add to the vast knowledge Aaron shared about his experiences raising sheep, beef cattle, poulty, hogs, and layers on grass.