Holmes County Farm Tour offers a slice of Amish Country agriculture, August 20
The 2011 Holmes County Farm Tour, which will be held August 20, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., will feature a cross-section of Holmes County agriculture at its finest. Patrons taking the 40-plus mile tour will experience a cross-cultural journey that is sure to provide something most will find both informative and fun.
The Farm Tour, now in its fifth year, returns to where it all began, the northwestern quadrant of Holmes County, and it is sure to be a smorgasbord of a part of Holmes County that it vital to the success of the area’s economy, while also offering some of the most scenic countryside you’ll find anywhere.
“When we first got this tour started up again after it had been gone for quite awhile, the two things that we felt were the most important were making sure that we had a great deal of diversity in the various stops along the tour, and we wanted to make sure that we had plenty of beautiful countryside for people to admire along the way,” said Denny Snell, one of the event chairs. “This tour offers the best of both worlds when it comes to those two things, and we think this tour is something that really represents Holmes County’s diverse agricultural experience.”
The tour has presented Holmes County as a wonderful place to visit, as tourists from all over Ohio and even beyond its borders have joined in the trip down country lanes and along fields dotted with haystacks and grazing cattle, to see just what the allure is to Amish Country.
In addition, the tour has provided local people with a glimpse into many of the everyday events and businesses which are right under their noses, many of which a large percentage of Holmes Countians have never seen or even heard of before.
Among the stops are animals, vegetables and minerals, and they all play key roles in the success of Holmes County’s economy.
After visitors stop by the Holmes County Fairgrounds, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., for their map of the tour, they will immediately head north out of Millersburg toward Holmesville. There, they will be presented with a trip to Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative at 6060 SR 83. Holmes-Wayne works closely with farmers throughout the county, and in addition to the informative part of the stop, they will also be providing a barbecue fundraiser, which will benefit their award-winning Holmes County Relay for Life team, so those starting out can time it perfect and stop in for lunch.
Then it is off to stop number two, Paint Valley Farms, where shorthorn cattle roam the rolling pastures. A crash course in heifer and bull replacement for seed stock will take place at the farm, located at 10550 TR 262.
Next on the list is stop number three, Agri-Sludge, Inc., where patrons can learn about how bio-solid removal services play a key role in contributing to the success of area farmers. Agri-Sludge is located at 8047 SR 754, near Shreve.
Stop number four is Spring Hill Farm, a 300-head milking farm where Holstein and Guernsey cattle roam. Family-owned since 1819, the Lang family farm, located at 7109 SR 514 near Nashville, is a true representation of just how important family farming is to Holmes County.
For those seeking something a little different, look no further than stop number five, where professional potter Cary Hulin of Holmes County Pottery will be spinning some of the stunning pottery for which he has become famous for nationwide. Hulin’s art form is both beautiful and useful, and represents yet one more facet of agriculture in Holmes County. The master crafter is located at 8500 CR 373, Big Prairie.
Stop number six will feature The Shepherd’s Market, a local food market and community-supported agriculture store that has been supplying local folks with high quality fresh goods for years.
Perhaps the buzz you hear is coming from this stop, considering that owners Joseph and Marion Yoder also happen to head up the Tri-County Beekeepers, and will have their beehives on hand, always a big hit with the kids. The stop is located at 13306 CR 100, near Big Prairie.
Snell’s Spring Ridge Alpacas is stop number seven on the tour. With close to 100 head, the alpaca farm located at 14695 TR 469, near Lakeville, is an inviting stop where patrons can not only learn about Snell’s new invention, the alpaca lift, but can also pet the animals and see the gorgeous pack up close.
In addition, this stop will also feature Nancy Davenport, also known as The Yarn Doctor, who will give patrons a chance to try their hand at spinning yarns that don’t come from tall tales, and Holmes Laboratory, where Gary Horrisberger will be on hand to answer soil and water testing questions.
The beauty and color of nature at its best is up next in stop number eight, where Richardson’s Greenhouse & Landscaping awaits. The family-owned local greenhouse and landscaping business, located at 8471 TR 459 in Loudonville, will not only be informative, but it can also be the perfect place for patrons of the tour to stop in and pick up something to spruce up their homes. Sisters Rinda Sloan and Robin Voltz will be on hand to inform and entertain.
A new addition to the farm tour this year is stop number nine, where patrons can explore an old-fashioned but still operating one-room school house. Mohican Hills Parochial School, an Amish schoolhouse located on CR 457 near Loudonville, harkens back to earlier, simpler days, when a wide variety of grades often met together.
The final stop on the tour will be at OakBridge Timber Framing Ltd., an eco-friendly timber company that focuses on designing homes that are functional and breathtaking. The company, located at 20857 Earnest Rd. near Howard, will showcase how the timber industry plays a crucial role in agriculture in Holmes County.
If patrons are not in any particular hurry, they may want to stop off at one of the tour’s other attractions, such as Troyer’s Candies located on TR 559, or the old stone bridge they can pass under on CR 385. No detour is a bad detour, since viewing the area’s landscape is part of the fun on this self-guided tour where there are no time limits.
According to Snell, the farm tour provides an avenue for those involved in agricultural-related industries in the county to educate the public as to the importance agriculture plays in Holmes County and to the nation. Each of the various 10 stops may be directly related to the agricultural industry, or they may be a byproduct of it.
“We wanted to make this a positive learning experience for people while showcasing Holmes County’s beauty, and the importance of agriculture in our area,” said Snell. “So many people don’t have any idea what milk goes through to get to the supermarket shelves, what alpaca is or how an Amish school operates. This allows people to see firsthand how it all takes place, and we can help them better understand the production process for dairy products. This is such a great way to promote our county.”
The Farm Tour, now in its fifth year, returns to where it all began, the northwestern quadrant of Holmes County, and it is sure to be a smorgasbord of a part of Holmes County that it vital to the success of the area’s economy, while also offering some of the most scenic countryside you’ll find anywhere.
“When we first got this tour started up again after it had been gone for quite awhile, the two things that we felt were the most important were making sure that we had a great deal of diversity in the various stops along the tour, and we wanted to make sure that we had plenty of beautiful countryside for people to admire along the way,” said Denny Snell, one of the event chairs. “This tour offers the best of both worlds when it comes to those two things, and we think this tour is something that really represents Holmes County’s diverse agricultural experience.”
The tour has presented Holmes County as a wonderful place to visit, as tourists from all over Ohio and even beyond its borders have joined in the trip down country lanes and along fields dotted with haystacks and grazing cattle, to see just what the allure is to Amish Country.
In addition, the tour has provided local people with a glimpse into many of the everyday events and businesses which are right under their noses, many of which a large percentage of Holmes Countians have never seen or even heard of before.
Among the stops are animals, vegetables and minerals, and they all play key roles in the success of Holmes County’s economy.
After visitors stop by the Holmes County Fairgrounds, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., for their map of the tour, they will immediately head north out of Millersburg toward Holmesville. There, they will be presented with a trip to Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative at 6060 SR 83. Holmes-Wayne works closely with farmers throughout the county, and in addition to the informative part of the stop, they will also be providing a barbecue fundraiser, which will benefit their award-winning Holmes County Relay for Life team, so those starting out can time it perfect and stop in for lunch.
Then it is off to stop number two, Paint Valley Farms, where shorthorn cattle roam the rolling pastures. A crash course in heifer and bull replacement for seed stock will take place at the farm, located at 10550 TR 262.
Next on the list is stop number three, Agri-Sludge, Inc., where patrons can learn about how bio-solid removal services play a key role in contributing to the success of area farmers. Agri-Sludge is located at 8047 SR 754, near Shreve.
Stop number four is Spring Hill Farm, a 300-head milking farm where Holstein and Guernsey cattle roam. Family-owned since 1819, the Lang family farm, located at 7109 SR 514 near Nashville, is a true representation of just how important family farming is to Holmes County.
For those seeking something a little different, look no further than stop number five, where professional potter Cary Hulin of Holmes County Pottery will be spinning some of the stunning pottery for which he has become famous for nationwide. Hulin’s art form is both beautiful and useful, and represents yet one more facet of agriculture in Holmes County. The master crafter is located at 8500 CR 373, Big Prairie.
Stop number six will feature The Shepherd’s Market, a local food market and community-supported agriculture store that has been supplying local folks with high quality fresh goods for years.
Perhaps the buzz you hear is coming from this stop, considering that owners Joseph and Marion Yoder also happen to head up the Tri-County Beekeepers, and will have their beehives on hand, always a big hit with the kids. The stop is located at 13306 CR 100, near Big Prairie.
Snell’s Spring Ridge Alpacas is stop number seven on the tour. With close to 100 head, the alpaca farm located at 14695 TR 469, near Lakeville, is an inviting stop where patrons can not only learn about Snell’s new invention, the alpaca lift, but can also pet the animals and see the gorgeous pack up close.
In addition, this stop will also feature Nancy Davenport, also known as The Yarn Doctor, who will give patrons a chance to try their hand at spinning yarns that don’t come from tall tales, and Holmes Laboratory, where Gary Horrisberger will be on hand to answer soil and water testing questions.
The beauty and color of nature at its best is up next in stop number eight, where Richardson’s Greenhouse & Landscaping awaits. The family-owned local greenhouse and landscaping business, located at 8471 TR 459 in Loudonville, will not only be informative, but it can also be the perfect place for patrons of the tour to stop in and pick up something to spruce up their homes. Sisters Rinda Sloan and Robin Voltz will be on hand to inform and entertain.
A new addition to the farm tour this year is stop number nine, where patrons can explore an old-fashioned but still operating one-room school house. Mohican Hills Parochial School, an Amish schoolhouse located on CR 457 near Loudonville, harkens back to earlier, simpler days, when a wide variety of grades often met together.
The final stop on the tour will be at OakBridge Timber Framing Ltd., an eco-friendly timber company that focuses on designing homes that are functional and breathtaking. The company, located at 20857 Earnest Rd. near Howard, will showcase how the timber industry plays a crucial role in agriculture in Holmes County.
If patrons are not in any particular hurry, they may want to stop off at one of the tour’s other attractions, such as Troyer’s Candies located on TR 559, or the old stone bridge they can pass under on CR 385. No detour is a bad detour, since viewing the area’s landscape is part of the fun on this self-guided tour where there are no time limits.
According to Snell, the farm tour provides an avenue for those involved in agricultural-related industries in the county to educate the public as to the importance agriculture plays in Holmes County and to the nation. Each of the various 10 stops may be directly related to the agricultural industry, or they may be a byproduct of it.
“We wanted to make this a positive learning experience for people while showcasing Holmes County’s beauty, and the importance of agriculture in our area,” said Snell. “So many people don’t have any idea what milk goes through to get to the supermarket shelves, what alpaca is or how an Amish school operates. This allows people to see firsthand how it all takes place, and we can help them better understand the production process for dairy products. This is such a great way to promote our county.”
Published: August 17, 2011
