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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
Basket of Life Farm
4965 Quick Road, Boston Township
www.basketoflifefarm.com
Duffy Farm, 2005 RFP
Basket of Life Farm is a Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm located in Boston Township, established by Eric & Heather Walters.  Their CSA members pay an annual membership fee for the opportunity to pick-up a big bag of veggies each week throughout the growing season.  Basket of Life expects to grow from 25 members in 2007, to around 200 members in three or four years. 
Brunty Farms
2470 Martin Road, Bath Township
www.bruntyfarms.com
Martin Farm, 2008 RFP
Jeff Brunty and Melanie Shenk have establishing a pastured poultry business near the southwest corner of CVNP in Bath Township.  Future diversification will also include fruit, vegetables and cut flowers.  Fresh eggs are available for sale at the farm, and at both Countryside Farmers’ Markets.  Broilers and Thanksgiving turkeys can be preordered and picked up at the farm or the markets as well.  Visit Brunty Farms on the web for more information.
Canal Corners Farm Market
7247 Canal Road, Valley View
www.canalcorners.com
Gleeson Farm, 2008 RFP
David Wingenfeld and his three adult children (David, Noah, and Megan) have established a diversified farming and marketing operation near the northern end of CVNP, in Valley View.  The Wingenfelds produce vegetables for sale at their on-site farm market and supply local restaurants as well.  They also plan to operate a bike rental for CVNP visitors, and will develop educational programs with several local schools.
Goatfeathers Point Farm
4570 Akron Peninsula Road, Boston Township
www.goatfeatherspoint.com
Point Farm, 2005 RFP
Goat Feathers Point is a small livestock operation operated by Terry and Cindy Smith in Boston Township.  The farm produces meat goats for Northeast Ohio’s numerous ethnic communities, and “heritage” turkeys for the Thanksgiving market.  In 2007, their goats numbered 70+ breeding animals and will grow to around 200 in the next few years.  Annual turkey production will increase to about 200 birds as well.  The Smiths sell directly from the farm, and occasionally in Countryside Farmers’ Markets.
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.  The farm will establish several acres of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries – as well as other fruit and vegetables.  The Greenfields produce hickory bark syrup, and “oat bites”, a snack food made from locally produced oats, walnuts, and honey.  Daniel is also an environmental educator, and will use the farm to host classes from the nearby Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center.
Grazeland
458 W. Hines Hill Road, Boston Heights
Grazeland, a small farm located near the center of CVNP, in Boston Heights, was assigned to CVCC at the beginning of the Countryside Initiative.  It is cared for and managed by CVCC’s Director, Darwin Kelsey, and his wife Chris.  Grazeland is used for small projects and experiments which demonstrate opportunities (or solve problems) for other Initiative farms: Such as raising meat goats for local ethnic markets, appropriate design and materials for livestock fencing and shelters, or implementing proper wetland and riparian buffers.
Kossuth Farm
9640 Riverview Road, Brecksville
Leyser Farm, 2008 RFP
Kossuth Farm will become a diversified fruit, vegetables, and small livestock operation in Brecksville Township managed by Karoly and Erin Bozan – and his parents, Karoly and Irene, who owned and operated a similar farm in Hungary where Karoly grew up.  The Bozans plan to market their produce at the farm, on the internet, and at Countryside Farmers’ Markets. 
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.  Located near the southern end of CVNP, in Cuyahoga Falls, their farm business will combine vegetable crops with culinary and medicinal herbs.  They will sell their products through an on-farm stand, and at the Countryside Farmers’ Market at Howe Meadow.
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 now raise nine grape varieties, and make nine types of wine (including one estate wine).  Margaret conducts art classes at the winery during the winter.  The Vineyard holds an annual Summer Solstice Wine, Art & Blues Festival featuring nine regional wineries, now attended by 3,500+ people.  Indoor and outdoor dining is available at the winery as well.
Spring Hill Farm & Market
9570 Riverview Road, Brecksville
Vaughn Farm, 2001 RFP
Spring Hill is a diversified vegetable, cut flower, and poultry farm located in Brecksville, operated by Alan and Susan Halko.  The Halkos raise over a dozen types of vegetables (including 20+ varieties of tomatoes), and 50+ types of flowers.  Their poultry operation (eggs and broilers) is pasture based.  They sell at the farm, and in the Countryside Farmers’ Market at Howe Meadow.
The Spicy Lamb Farm
6560 Akron Peninsula Road, Peninsula
www.thespicylamb.com
Garvey Farm, 2006 RFP
Spicy Lamb Farm is being developed by David Wright & Laura DeYoung in Peninsula.  As the name suggests, the farm focuses on sheep – primarily gourmet lamb meat.  Spice and herb gardens and an orchard will supply a variety of products to compliment lamb.  Laura and David also hope to develop the farm as a center for agritourism and environmental education.