Events

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.