Bonner family history is steeped in agricultural roots
Amid the lush, green cornfields of Garrettsville — and about a 20-minute drive from the Geauga County Fairgrounds in Burton — sits a farm born from the roots of a devoted family.
Amid the lush, green cornfields of Garrettsville — and about a 20-minute drive from the Geauga County Fairgrounds in Burton — sits a farm born from the roots of a devoted family.
The idea for Bonner Farms Beef & Market at 12428 Ravenna Parkman Road (state Route 88) came about two years ago, when Richard (Dick) Bonner, of Mantua, decided to ensure sustainability of his family-farming operations far into the future by vertically integrating the farm with a processing facility and a retail market.
“We opened Bonner Farms Beef & Market to not only showcase our locally raised, premium quality beef, but to help promote other local farms and businesses whenever possible,” said BFBM President John Bonner, Dick’s son. “Bonner Farms Beef & Market is different and we are proud to bring accountability, healthiness and quality to families in Northeast Ohio.”
The look into the future was to create an adjacent company to Bonner Farms, not only allowing the public direct access to its prime, hormone- and antibiotic-free beef, but also to create a place where other farmers in the region could bring their own animals to be processed on time, when they need it, with a high level of quality.
The Bonner family history is steeped in agricultural roots.
Dick was raised on the family farm on state Route 44 in Auburn Township, where parents Clifford and Kathryn bought a 50-acre farm in 1946, John said.
One of 10 children, Dick grew up on the family farm, raising cows, pigs and hay, and farmed 600 acres of land rented from the City of Akron, he explained.
The Bonners’ Mantua farm was purchased in 1995. The original farm was about 550 acres. It expanded in 2020 to 3,000 acres in northern Portage and southern Geauga counties, and 400 acres of pasture in Tucker County, West Virginia, said John.
BFBM feeds about 1,500 cattle per year — most of which are “natural” cattle, receiving no hormones, steroids or antibiotics — and is “Global Animal Partnership Certified,” with all cattle afforded extra space and care by providing outside areas to roam, he added.
John also is CEO and co-founder of Burton-based Great Lakes Growers, a hydroponic grower of lettuce and herbs available at grocery stores throughout the Midwest.
He grew up on the family farm in Burton, among 30 acres of corn, soybeans and greenhouses. His grandfather started Burton Floral and Garden, the Midwest’s largest horticultural supply distributor.
“The beef we raise at Bonner Farms is different for three main reasons,” John said. “First, the genetics that we have produce animals that 60% of the time grade out as USDA Prime — the highest level attainable in the United States and represents superior marbling and flavor. “Second, the feed regimen the animals eat consists only of the crops raised on the farm’s own fields. We know what goes into these animals,” he continued.
“And finally, perhaps most importantly, we know what doesn’t go into these animals. Our Natural Premium Bonner Farms Beef contains no hormones or antibiotics … guaranteed.
“We control every step of the process, from hand selecting the healthiest cattle right down to how thick you want your steaks cut.”
Marvin Kurtz, BFBM head butcher, said he works with U.S. Department of Agriculture and Ohio Department of Agriculture meat inspectors every day to ensure production of safe and wholesome products for the community.
“We here at Bonner Farms pride ourselves in being a local beef supplier with consistent high quality because we control the whole process,” said Kurtz.
Their name, address and phone number are on the label.
“We take pride in how we raise and how we treat our animals, to provide you with healthy, clean, safe and delicious food,” John said.
The harvesting and processing operations are open for business and accepting new appointments, he said, adding if you are a local farmer and are interested in learning more about how you can partner with BFBM, contact the store and ask for him or give him a howdy at The Great Geauga County Fair.
“When you come to our market, you’ll find products including Bonner Farms Premium Quality Beef, locally-raised pork and chicken, local dairy products, jams and jellies, sauces, ketchups and mustards, bread and noodles, and more,” he added. “So, stop into our market, browse our shelves of locally-stocked items, shop our huge selection of beef, talk with our butchers about specific cuts you’re looking for and even place specials orders right from the counter.”
John said has been going to the fair every year since he was born.
“If you go back to my grandparents, John and Dorothy Gander, I can safely say we, as a family, have been attending this fair for over a century,” he said. “In fact, my house and some of our farmland is actually adjacent to the Geauga County Fairgrounds.”
His family walks to the fair every day.
“My daughters both participate in 4-H and Bonner Farms Beef is proud to be an approved processor for this year’s Geauga County Fair Livestock Auction,” John said. “This fair is a great tradition.”
