Reports and data can tell us a lot about the status of agriculture in Ohio. Tables, figures, and statistics are all important information to consider. But who are the real-life farmers behind these statistics? If you aren't part of a farming community, you may not see how the restructuring of agriculture over the last 20 years has affected the everyday lives of Ohio citizens. We share the story of three Ohio farm families to show how some of the big changes outlined in The Status and Changing Face of Ohio Agriculture summary report have impacted these families in particular.
Stoller’s Organic Dairy is located in Sterling, Ohio, about 50 miles south of Cleveland. Scott and Charlene Stoller have managed the dairy since 1997, when Scott bought the farm from his grandparents. Scott comes from a long line of farmers and grew up on a farm himself. Nowadays, the Stollers and their eight children (five of whom are grown) continue to care for the 175 dairy cattle on their certified organic farm.
The organic dairy business experienced a surge in demand in the last decade. A recent report by the USDA Economic Research Service found that organic dairy farms have higher production costs but realize a higher net thanks to the higher milk prices they receive for their products. But Scott was not always a proponent of organic farming—his father’s farm was nonorganic and he grew up not knowing anything different. It was after a farming accident, which cost Scott his right arm, that Charlene started to question their farm’s non-organic practices. This series of events led Scott to have somewhat of a reckoning.
Scott describes a conversation with Charlene where she asked why Scott always gave his cows antibiotics while drying them off after milking. Scott repeated the answer his father had told him: so that the cows do not get sick. Charlene insisted that this must mean there was a deeper problem at hand, because if cows can get sick just from milking, something is not right. Charlene’s insistence helped Scott realize that antibiotics were merely a “Band-Aid” solution to a much bigger problem: overcrowding causing the spread of disease. Now, Scott’s cows only get antibiotics when they are truly necessary, and not as preventative medicine.
 |
 |
Scott soon realized that there was a better way of doing things and decided to go fully organic. Today, the Stollers pride themselves on this fact and consider it a large part of what makes their farm unique. Scott uses organic practices to look for the root causes of issues rather than trying to cover up the symptoms of underlying conditions. The family has become a trusted source of information about organic farming within their community and beyond, as Scott currently sits on the Board of Directors for Organic Valley. He often corresponds with other farmers about all things organics.
Like many other mid-size farms in Ohio, Stoller’s Organic Dairy has faced financial challenges through the years, like the COVID-19 crisis that caused a dramatic decrease in milk demands as schools and restaurants closed. After the so-called “gold rush” of organics plateaued in recent years, Scott and his five adult sons have had to diversify their business endeavors, just like 60% of Ohio farmers who rely on off-farm income to survive. The Stollers do tiling work and dirt moving, among other jobs. One cost savings: the Stoller farm does not employ any outside workers, which is unusual for a dairy. Out of all Ohio farms, 50% of dairies have hired labor compared to only 25% of beef operations.
Scott, now 50, is currently in the process of handing over full control of the farm to his five sons. He’s a firm believer that farmers like him only get about 25 years of work before it is time to make way for the new generation. The Stoller’s resilience and ability to adapt to a changing landscape shows that their farm will continue to provide high-quality organic products for years to come.
Rows upon rows of apple trees occupy the hillside landscape of Fuhrmann Orchards. Come autumn, if you ever picture fall in the Midwest, this is the scene you will see—bursts of brightly colored leaves and fields of pumpkins stretching to the horizon. Since 1958, this family-owned orchard not far from Portsmouth, Ohio has been home to a wide variety of crops, including peaches, melons, pumpkins, vegetables, and the crop for which the Fuhrmann’s are best known: apples. Owners Paul and Leanne raised their five children on the orchard, bringing them along to farmers markets and teaching them practical life skills. Their children return home each summer after college to help their parents run the farm and farmers markets. Three of the Fuhrmann’s children plan to pursue agriculture-related careers after graduating from college. One of their kids, Jeremy, plans to return to the farm after graduating this spring as a full-time farmer. Their middle daughter, Abby, is a middle school teacher and helps each weekend in the summer, while also managing the social media accounts.
A thread of community involvement seems to tie all the Fuhrmanns together. The family is passionate about education and outreach, and strives to build trust with their customers. While at farmers markets, the Fuhrmanns try to engage with their customers about all things agriculture. They explain what time of year certain fruit and vegetables are available and when they taste best, and why it’s good to buy locally. And their customers have come to depend on them for quality, local produce picked at the peak of ripeness. Specialty markets that sell directly to consumers, such as farmers markets, have become increasingly commonplace and vital parts of the industry for the Fuhrmanns and others like them.
The Fuhrmanns also try to educate their customers about the realities of farming, such as harsh weather causing damage to crops. Earlier this year, the Fuhrmann’s lost their entire peach crop due to late cold weather. A loss like that can pose a serious threat to the livelihoods of mid-size farm families like the Fuhrmanns, especially since all of their peaches are sold directly to the consumer. Their family chooses to sell only the produce that they grow and do not supplement their crops by purchasing from elsewhere. This also helps to maintain the quality expectation they have built within their brand.
 |
 |
About 15 years ago, Fuhrmann Orchards was considered a large farm, selling mainly bulk produce commercially. But due to the increase in demand from customers for fresh produce in their area and increased costs to sell wholesale, the orchard is now considered mid-size. The Fuhrmanns would like to expand their operations, but the hilly landscapes of the surrounding area make that an unattainable goal for them. Instead, they expanded their offerings and become even more involved with their local community. The Fuhrmanns host an annual Apple Fest on their farm, in which guests can navigate through a corn maze, enjoy caramel apples, and go on farm tours. They also provide fundraisers for local groups and schools and host elementary students for field trips in the fall. The Fuhrmanns’ adult children use social media to help them market this and other events. A social media presence is very important to continue interest among younger generations and keep building a customer base in south-central Ohio.
The Fuhrmann family is enthusiastic about education and community involvement. They are involved with Ohio State University Extension and a number of agencies, including the Ohio Farm Bureau, the Ohio Produce Growers and Marketers Association, and more. They try to engage with all members of their community, including the youth. Leanne and Paul are advisors for the Scioto County 4-H program, while their adult children volunteer. But this does not mean that they are left unscathed by Ohio’s economic and environmental disturbances. Like many other mid-size Ohio farm families, the Fuhrmann’s are another example of how farmers have to adapt quickly to a changing market and consumer demands.
Kristin and Greg Flowers started out as grain farmers. Greg comes from a farm family and has experience growing staple Ohio crops such as corn and soybeans. But in the last few years, they’ve become known for something a bit more… colorful. Soon after beginning their life together, Kristin became interested in expanding their enterprise to include specialty crops. Her ideas were not dissimilar to those of other Ohio farmers, as the specialty market has seen growth in recent years. Specifically, Kristin was interested in growing fresh-cut flowers. In 2018, her idea became a reality. (It’s true! Their last name is Flowers and they grow flowers!) Located in the heart of northwest Ohio, Talisman Farm now provides specialty flowers to local florists and customers. The pair also grow corn and soybeans, though not under the same name.
Kristin and Greg are young farmers—just 28 and 32, respectively. This alone sets them apart from other Ohio farmers, as the farm workforce has been aging over the last two decades. Over 62% of farmers in Ohio are over the age of 55. Beginning farmers, those with 1-10 years of experience, only account for 25% of all Ohio farmers. Kristin graduated from The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences in 2014 with a degree in agricultural communications. She’s using that knowledge to help market their farm-based flower bar business, where customers can create their own bouquets to take home. The Flowers made their own floral cooler and workshop space out of a shipping container, with work benches and storage for vases and supplies. Likewise, Greg graduated from Owens Community College with a degree in small business management. Combined, the Flowers use their agricultural and entrepreneurial skills to successfully manage Talisman Farm.
 |
 |
Talisman Farm also markets itself as an idyllic locale for garden parties and other events. This summer, they expanded their operation to include you-pick options. Kristin explained that a group of bridesmaids came to Talisman to hand-make their bouquets for the upcoming wedding. Patrons seem to enjoy this option, and it’s easy to imagine why: who wouldn’t want to spend their day in the company of hummingbirds and bumblebees? Kristin tells us that she and Greg were blown away by the amount of you-pick customers who visited the farm this summer, and looking back, it’s not surprising why. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Talisman Farm provided an outdoor, socially distanced, and fun activity for all ages. Even the Flowers’ two young children—Griffin and Regan—love to help their parents tend to the flowers.
Kristin is glad that her family has their flower business to diversify the farm operation—harsh weather has made growing corn and soybeans increasingly difficult in recent years. Flooding and droughts have both wreaked havoc on these vital crops. Like the Stollers, the Flowers also work off-farm in order to provide additional income. Kristin works in advertising for the Ohio Farm Bureau and Greg works for a local storm and sanitary sewer testing and maintenance company. Like many other farmers, the Flowers’ business is impacted by the environment and economy, two factors completely out of their control. In Ohio’s turbulent agricultural landscape, successfully running a farm is no small feat. Yet, thanks to their creative business endeavors, the Flowers show how young farmers are trying to succeed in the industry.