Since 1992, the Hornyak family has focused on making their farm a bounty of tasty peaches, corn, soybeans and other fruits and vegetables.
Since 1992, the Hornyak family has focused on making their farm a bounty of tasty peaches, corn, soybeans and other fruits and vegetables.
This year, they decided to shake it up a bit and get people out of the house by hosting a series of fall-themed weekend events throughout October.
In addition to people coming to Hornyak Farms, 15135 Rock Creek Road in Hambden Township, to pick Red Haven, Harrow Diamond and Jim Dandee peaches from the 300-tree orchard, they can pick pumpkins and gourds while sipping apple cider.
“We thought maybe this would be a good year to start because everybody has been cooped up,” said Matt Hornyak in a recent interview. “This way, people can social distance outside. We like to keep it low key, not huge. Single families can take hay rides.”
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays throughout October, families are welcome to come pick their own pumpkins, wander through the corn stalk maze, take a tractor drawn hay ride, munch on an apple fritter and sip apple cider. Food vendors offer a variety of edibles like steak on a stick and kettle corn. People can visit www.facebook.com/HornyakFarms for more information on each weekend’s event.
Matt and his wife, Leigh — who comes from a family who has farmed in Geauga County for multiple generations — have two children, Kate and Evan.
Having grown up on the farm, they’ve “naturally gravitated towards taking it over,” Matt said of his kids.
“Me and my brother had the idea to do a fall event,” Kate said. “This is our first year and this is our third weekend. It’s been a very good turnout. I enjoy seeing the families out here.”
Visitors Nicole and Jerad Howes, who came in from Windsor Township, recently enjoyed watching their 4-year-old daughter, Abigail, scouring the pumpkin patch looking for the perfect pumpkin. Meanwhile, their 2-year-old son, Grady, shot hoops on a sunny fall day.
“We had a great growing season this year as far as the peaches and corn,” Matt said. “All of our crops did really well. We’ve been blessed.”
The Hornyaks plan to continue the fall event each weekend this month, but Matt said he understands the weather plays a huge part in people’s decision to venture outside.
“This is Geauga County. Next weekend, we could have snow,” he quipped.
Matt said once the events are over with, he and the family plan to assess how they went and determine what improvements they could make for next year.
“This event is going to be a building thing,” he said.
