Established Countryside Initiative Farms
Eleven farms are currently operational as part of the Countryside Initiative program. The farms pursue small, diversified crop and livestock operations that target local specialty and niche markets. The first pilot farms were established in 2002, and others have been created since. As a result, farms are at various states of development
For Farm Tour information click here.
Basket of Life Farm
Eric & Heather Walters
4965 Quick Road, Boston Township
Duffy Farm, 2005 RFP
440-476-2722
Basket of Life Farm established the first Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm in the Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Initiative Farm Program . Their CSA members pay an annual membership fee for the opportunity to pick-up a robust share of , local farm-fresh produce each week throughout the growing season.
Basket of Life provides CSA shares and healthy food to over 150 families!
Please visit our web page http://basketoflifefarm.com/ and LIKE us on Facebook!
Brunty Farms
2470 Martin Road, Bath Township
www.bruntyfarms.com
Martin Farm, 2008 RFP
Jeff Brunty and Melanie Schenk have established a thriving pastured poultry and livestock farm business near the southwest corner of CVNP in Bath Township. Fresh eggs and meats are available for sale at the farm, and Countryside Farmers’ Markets. They also offer CSA Memberships. Visit Brunty Farms on the web for more information.
Canal Corners Farm Market
7247 Canal Road, Valley View
Gleeson Farm, 2008 RFP
Canal Corners farm, located at the corner of Canal Road on Tinkers Creek Road has been in the Countryside Initiative since 2009. The Wingenfelds have extended their growing season from April through December by growing asparagus, vegetables, pumpkins, and Christmas Trees. They direct market through on the farm sales and a CSA.
This year visitors to the park have a new way to learn about the Cuyahoga Valley through live theater and lantern tours at the farm which was originally the Gleeson Farm dating back to 1850. This farmstead including an 1850's restored sandstone house and 1905 Wisconsin style dairy barn is a beautiful site for these events. For more information contact Dave Wingenfeld at 216-624-3916 or visit facebook.com/CanalCorners
Goatfeathers Point Farm
4570 Akron Peninsula Road, Boston Township
Point Farm, 2005 RFP
Goatfeathers Point Farm is a historical and sustainable farm in the heart of the
Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The farmstead, established in 1875 by Nathaniel Point,
is a typical example of a Pennsylvania New York style farm with the bank barn and
farmhouse on opposite sides of Akron Peninsula Road. The historical farm produced
potatoes, grains and milk.
The current day farmstead is spread out on Akron Peninsula from Quick to Northampton
Roads. Terry and Cindy Bechter-Smith, the current proprietors, are redeveloping the
infrastructure of the farm, installing perimeter fences on the fields, establishing water
access and redeveloping the pastures to feed their naturally raised livestock.
Cindy has an extensive background in quality engineering and management. Terry has
a varied background. He has played as a cowboy in New Mexico, worked as a structural
Ironworker, a construction engineer, a flight instructor, and pilot. All of these skills
are used to farm and raise livestock in a National Park!
Goatfeathers Point Farm has Tennessee Fainting Goats for breeder stock, meat and
cashmere fiber, heritage turkeys for Thanksgiving, chickens for eggs and of course
occasionally stewing chickens, pigs, bees and beef cows. All are naturally raised on the
37 acres of pasture. Several of the livestock are heritage breeds recognized by the
ALBC American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. The heritage breeds are promoted to
prevent their disappearance. Many breeds have been reduced to almost extinction
because of the great reduction in small family farms and the fact that heritage breeds
are not used by the industrial food sector. The heritage breeds are well suited for
pasture and although they take longer to grow, the flavor is fabulous!
Goatfeathers Point Farm naturally raised meats are for sale from the farm through our
Herd Share program. Reserve a heritage turkey for Thanksgiving, a half or whole pig,
whole or select goat cuts and soon beef bundles by calling 330-657-2726. Eggs, honey,
potatoes and other farm items are for sale at the farmhouse side porch. Check for a
hanging shingle for availability.
Goatfeathers Point Farm and most of the livestock are visible from A P Road and the
bridle path. So, take a Sunday drive past the farm or hike the bridle trail. Tours are
welcome. Contact the Countryside Conservancy to schedule.
Check out this grant project from Goatfeathers Point Farm
Greenfield Berry Farm
2485 Major Road, Boston Township
www.greenfieldberryfarm.com
Welton Farm, 2005 RFP
Daniel and Michele Greenfield have developed a PYO (pick-your-own) berry farm in Boston Township. They have a wonderful CSA program, and the Greenfields produce honey, jams, hickory bark syrup, and “oat bites”, a snack food made from locally produced oats, walnuts, and honey. Daniel is also an environmental educator, and uses their farm to host classes from the nearby Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center.
Halko's Spring Hill Farm
9570 Riverview Road, Brecksville
Vaughn Farm, 2001 RFP
Halko's is a diversified vegetable, cut flower, and poultry farm located in Brecksville, and operated by Alan and Susan Halko. The Halkos raise over a dozen types of vegetables, including 20+ varieties of tomatoes. Their poultry operation (eggs and broilers) is pasture based. They sell at the farm, and in the Countryside Farmers’ Market at Howe Meadow.
Kossuth Farm
9640 Riverview Road, Brecksville
Leyser Farm, 2008 RFP
For the past three years Kossuth farm has been operated by retired educators Karoly and Iren Bozan, who moved to the United States, to be with their children and grandchildren. Besides teaching physics and mathematics to multiple generations, they also have a life-long experience in agriculture and micro farming.
Their offerings range from string beans to potatoes, spinach, squash, zucchini, eggplant and a concentration on different varieties of tomatoes and peppers. To control and maintain the organic nature of the farm from inception, they plant their own seeds to avoid genetic tempering.
Work in the field is done with time-honored manual labor; the only tools used are shovels, hoes and pruning shears. Horse manure and self-made compost are the exclusive sources for fertilizing, and water for irrigation is pumped from the pond located on the property up to the fields into holding tanks, then administered manually directly to the root of each plant to control weed growth and maximizing the effect of the supplied water. Harmful insects are removed by hand to avoid damage to the plants.
Marketing their produce is probably the most rewarding aspect of farm life. Instead of selling to a wholesaler or putting up a stand at a local market, buyers are welcomed to park right in front of the farmstead and purchase from a table stacked with the freshest produce. The time it takes to harvest ripe tomatoes or peppers and get them to the consumers can be measured in minutes, something that simply cannot be achieved in any other setting. Karoly and Iren replenish the table immediately as something is sold and the results are fantastic. Their farm has quickly become a favorite meeting place for Hungarian ex-patriots, and most buyers are steady, repeat customers. Besides the fresh produce, they can purchase paprika powder ground from their own dried peppers, or fresh tomato juice without absolutely any additives or preservatives.
For those interested in stopping by and visiting the farm, there are two kind and gentle retirees waiting to show them around to acquaint them with the beauty of farming. Their English language skills may be lacking, but they make up for it with warm smiles and European hospitality.
Neitenbach Farm
3077 Akron Peninsula Road, Cuyahoga Falls
Grether Farm, 2006 RFP
AJ and Pamela Neitenbach moved onto their small Initiative farm (of 2 acres) in late 2007 with their 3 children. Located near the southern end of CVNP, in Cuyahoga Falls, their farm business combines vegetable crops with culinary and medicinal herbs. They sell their products through an on-farm stand, and at the Countryside Farmers’ Market at Howe Meadow, and now offer a limited quantity of truly unique CSA memberships.
In addition, Pamela Neitenbach offers her herbal tinctures, teas and salves as well as healing, holistic body work at The Banyan Tree in Bath, Ohio.
For more information about Neitenbach Farm check out these links:
Neitenbach 2013 CSA Information
Sarah's Vineyard
1204 W. Steels Corners, Road, Cuyahoga Falls
www.sarahsvineyardwinery.com
Parry Farm, 2001 RFP
Mike and Margaret Lytz have established a vineyard, winery, and art gallery at their Initiative farmsite located in Cuyahoga Falls. They grow several grape varieties, and make nine wines (including one estate wine). The Vineyard hosts an annual Summer Solstice Wine, Art & Music Festival in June featuring many fabulous regional wineries.
In addition, Sarah's Vineyard offers indoor and outdoor dining, live music and entertainment.
To find out more, visit Sarah's Vineyard on Facebook
The Spicy Lamb Farm
6560 Akron Peninsula Road, Peninsula
www.thespicylamb.com
Garvey Farm, 2006 RFP
Spicy Lamb Farm is owned and operated by Laura DeYoung in Peninsula, Ohio. The farm focuses on sheep, sheep products, grazing services and education. The farm offers gourmet lamb, herbs, and an orchard will supply a variety of products to compliment lamb. Laura hopes to develop the farm as a center for agritourism and environmental education.
The Trapp Family Farm
Mark Trapp & Emily Stefanak
1019 W. Streetsboro Road, Peninsula
Holland Farm, 2011 RFP
We are a mixed crop and livestock farm that is powered by two draft horses. By having a wide diversity of plants and animals, we are able to focus on capturing as much sunlight as possible and keeping it on the farm in the form of increased fertility and the healthiest imaginable plants and animals.
We are selling a limited number of shares. For information, please contact us at [email protected], 330-657-2844, or look for a hardcopy next to the egg station at our front door. If the commitment of a share is not right for you, we will offer items a la carte here at the farm on Saturdays beginning in June.