Farm Tour

The Blue Owl is really two unique, but complementary, farming operations that fit nicely into the cycle of seasons: a small herb farm that produces culinary and crafting herbs, and heirloom fruits, flowers, and vegetables for sale at local markets; plus a 130-acre tree farm focused on log-grown culinary mushrooms, native nuts and berries, and a variety of woody crafting materials. We will focus our farmer exchange on forest farming and especially on mushroom production. Blue Owl owner Janell Baran and Andy Gedeon of Soul Shine Earth will discuss their current study to compare the costs and benefits of raising mushroom spawn on-farm vs. purchasing commercially available spawn. Register at forms.gle/aigtw5mWyZfqqV5z8. Noon-3 p.m. Technical Woods Walk - Overview of the Forest Farm 3-4 p.m. Refreshments and Discussion 4-6:30 p.m. On-Farm Mushroom Spawn Production Trial This event is being held in conjunction with Rural Action’s Technical Woods Walk. Participants may attend the Woods Walk, the Research Discussion, or both. Registration is limited due to parking constraints. Carpooling is strongly encouraged! Questions: Contact Cassy Brown at (330) 263-3634 or brown.1844@osu.edu This event is a part of the Organic Farmer Researcher Network's Fall Farmer Exchanges Series. The Organic Farmer Researcher Network is a group of organic and transitioning farmers, supported by agricultural professionals and researchers, who meet regularly to discuss emerging issues, possible projects, and recent or ongoing research. The group is facilitated by staff from OEFFA, Ohio State, and Central State University. Learn more or register at offer.osu.edu/fall-farm-exchanges.

Join the Ohio Organic Farmer Researcher Network (OOFRN) for an on-farm research seminar presented by Wayne County farmer and soil health devotee Matt Falb. Matt has a great mind for research and has partnered with several Ohio State researchers at the nearby Wooster campus and around the state and is currently on the executive board of Ohio State’s Agroecosystem Management Program. Matt has participated in several research projects to evaluate management approaches that build soil health while also improving the land, surrounding ecosystems, and community. He is currently exploring silvopasture establishment and the logistics of grazing cover crops on neighboring farms. Farmers, educators, researchers, and students are invited to come and learn through the sharing of both experience and data. This event is held at Constant Springs Farm in Orville, Ohio. Please park at Martins Mennonite Church, 14027 Church Road, Orrville, Ohio. Sponsored by the Ohio Organic Farmer Researcher Network, a collaborative effort between OEFFA, Central State, and Ohio State.

Explore the range of ways that farmer researchers can engage in regionally adapted seed work, from formal trials and breeding to simple selection and saving. Lindsay Klaunig of Trouvaille Farm will share past and present on-farm research as it relates to her journey in regionally adapted seed work. Brainstorm crops and varieties that are particularly in need of adaptation to our specific climate. Consider what types of trialing and other research might be needed to get started on this work. Learn methods to focus in on a particular project from start to finish. Please register here. Sponsored by the Ohio Organic Farmer Researcher Network, a collaborative effort between OEFFA, Central State, and Ohio State.

Interested in learning what it takes to operate a diversified produce farm? Want to learn the ins and outs of high tunnel tomato production? Adam and Tabby Blaney started Blaney Family Farm in 2019 and have been growing a diversity of vegetables and flowers. They sell their products through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program where customers subscribe ahead of the season to receive a customizable box of vegetables each week. They also sell weekly at the Athens Farmers Market and to several wholesale accounts, including to Little Fish Brewery, Village Bakery, Lake Hope Lodge, and Kindred Market. This event will include both a farm tour and hands-on time learning about high tunnel tomatoes. Learn more and register here.

Learn from a diversified meat business about pastured-raised livestock with a specific focus on how to raise broiler chickens! Curious about how to raise pastured meats? Interested in the ins and outs of raising broiler chickens on pasture? Sugar Butte Farms is owned and operated by Eric, Kayla, & Will Gibson. It sits in Lowell, Ohio on 80 acres full of diverse biology and greenery. They raise chicken, pork, turkey, and lamb - as well as producing value-added products like freeze dried pet treats and skin care products. This event will include both a farm tour and dedicated time learning about their broiler chicken operation. Sugar Butte chickens are fed Ohio grown & milled non-GMO feed and moved on green pasture every day. They use two techniques: day ranging and chicken tractors. Take home gift: All attendees will go home with a product made on the farm! Rain plan: This event will continue if there is light rain, so come prepared with rain gear. If weather is severe, we will cancel and refund your ticket. Parking & directions: A GPS can take you up a back way (Cats Creek) which is a little confusing. Look for Rural Action signs and someone directing you to parking. Coming from Route 60? Take Route 60 into Lowell. Once you reach the single stoplight in Lowell, turn right on to Walnut Street (AKA Route 530). Make another right on to the actual State Route 530. Continue taking 530 for 3.9 miles. Our road is on the LEFT hand side. It is just under 1 mile out that road. Green house. Coming from I-77? I-77 North then take exit 6 and make a right at the stop sign. You will be on 821 for just a few seconds and after the BP gas station/subway you make a left in Highland Ridge Road towards the Blue Tractors. This road is curvy and cross the interstate several times. You will eventually reach a stop sign with a brick house and a pool located behind it. You can follow GPS now. Go straight through that intersection. The road will curve to the left where you will go through an underpass. You may be tempted to continue straight but make that left down the hill. You will begin to go back up the hill then at the top of the steep part it makes a sharp right then you will see ponies and a donkey along with ponds on your left. Now slow down because our gravel road is in the next right turn. It is just under 1 mile out that road. Please note: Attendees will be walking across uneven terrain and on their feet for much of this event. This event is supported by a grant from the Renewable Natural Resources Foundation (RNRF). For any questions, please reach out to Molly Sowash at molly@ruralaction.org.

Learn from a grass-based dairy farm about small-scale dairy production and cheesemaking. Laurel Valley Creamery is a grass based sustainable producer of Jersey milk that we craft into small batches of farmstead cheese. The Nolan family specializes in naturally aged raw milk cheese in addition to making several pasteurized specialty cheeses. Learn more and register here.

Learn about silvopasture on a pastured sheep operation in Athens County! This silvopasture tour will take place at Krusling Farm where the Krusling family raises 400 hair sheep on 90 acres of fescue clover pasture, plus 50 acres of rented ground for grazing annuals and 35 acres of unreclaimed limestone gravel mine which is in the process of being converted to natives for grazing. Learn more and register here.