Rural Action

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.

Learn about the cultivation and processing of chestnuts and acorns! Curious about perennial agriculture? Interested in growing and processing nuts? Join this field day to see a chestnut orchard in person, tour a processing facility, and learn about how the individuals at Route 9 Cooperative are making value-added flours from chestnuts and acorns. Learn more and register here.

Tour a 7-acre silvopasture on a pastured beef and chicken farm in Noble County! This silvopasture tour will take place at Hidden Creek Pasture where Wendall Miller, his wife Carla, and their five children manage 70 acres of rolling farm and woodlands. They raise pastured beef and chicken using managed grazing to improve their soils and produce healthy, nutrient dense foods for their family and community. Learn more and register here.

Learn about commercial elderberry cultivation and processing from this working farm in Adams County! Curious about growing and processing elderberries? Wondering what it takes to build a licensed kitchen on your farm? Heather and Beth, owners and beginning farmers of Ohio Elderberry Farm + Kitchen, have been growing elderberries for personal use since 2008 before launching into growing them at scale in 2020. They cultivate approximately 450 elderberry bushes, primarily Adams, York, Nova, and Bob Gordon cultivars. Learn more and register here.