Driving across Geauga County farmland amid its picturesque barns, lush greenery and colorful summertime crops can spur a sense of respect for the hard-working, faithful farmers committed to carrying on its agricultural roots.
Driving across Geauga County farmland amid its picturesque barns, lush greenery and colorful summertime crops can spur a sense of respect for the hard-working, faithful farmers committed to carrying on its agricultural roots.
“It’s going to take all kinds of farms, big and small, using a variety of practices to make sure we can feed the world,” said Mandy Orahood, Ohio Farm Bureau organization director, who serves Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake and Trumbull counties. “The future of farming — both around our area and throughout our state and country — is going to be incredibly diverse. Many farms will need to diversify, exploring new ways to generate income, such as agritourism or direct marketing.”
Nowadays, people care more and more about where their food comes from.
“They might not want to get physically involved, but they do seek a connection and an understanding,” Orahood said. “By bringing people to the farm and sharing their experiences, these farmers and producers are meeting that need. We have both small and large farmers doing this very well. Direct marketing and finding a niche are very important to the future of agriculture.
“Smaller farms like Rogish Farm, G.A.R. Horizons and Seldom Seen Farm represent the future of farming in our area because they excel at connecting people back to the farm,”
Orahood added. “These farms engage with the community, sharing both their successes and the challenges they face.”
Rogish Farm
First-generation farmers Bob Rogish and his wife, Amy, own Rogish Farm in Chester Township, a former dairy and Christmas tree farm.
In 2016, they returned to the farm’s roots and began planting their own Christmas trees.
“We are known for our cut your own sunflowers and lavender, our self-serve flower wagon that we stock with cut flowers all summer and pick your own blueberries,” said Bob, incoming Geauga County Farm Bureau president. “And finally, this year, our Christmas trees will also be available for cut your own.”
Every year, they have more and more customers asking for additional cut your own flower opportunities or hands-on flower-related activities, so they have shifted to incorporating more of that.
“We also offer many opportunities for photo sessions to capture families experiencing the beauty of our farm,” Bob said. “Our customers like the small-farm experience they can have here.”
They use a reservation system for most activities to control the number of guests at one time.
“This allows our guests to have a peaceful experience with no large crowds or long lines and also allows us to interact with everyone,” Bob said. “Our farm is our home, so it means a lot to us to be able to welcome our customers and tell them about what we do.
Geauga County residents have a unique understanding and appreciation for agriculture and small businesses, so we are very fortunate to live and farm here.”
The Rogishes are proud to be a part of the community and love sharing what they do. They also attract customers from neighboring, more urbanized counties.
“It takes everything you’ve got,” Bob said. “Our farm is 100% our first priority.”
The weather and seasons dictate their schedules and everything else must come second, he said.
“We are proud of our dedication and hard work and are motivated by knowing we are providing the absolute best products and experiences for our customers,” he added.
Bob believes it is important to bring back agricultural education and promote trade training as part of school curriculums so future generations continue farming or take a supportive role in other related industries.
“Running a farm seems to be a popular idea with younger generations, but they need to be educated on all aspects of farming, especially understanding the immense commitment to be successful,” Bob said. “Properties in Geauga County are mixed between residential and farmland. The farmland has been here long before development and people need to realize that a thriving community can continue to exist with both and benefit from one another.”
G.A.R. Horizons
Catherine Wolcott is the winner of Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Agricultural Professionals 2024 Outstanding Young Farmer competition.
She and her husband, Steve, own and operate their small farm, G.A.R. Horizons, in Hambden Township, raising pork, beef and chicken with an on-site farm store, and crop farming 110 acres around the county.
The dream began in 2009 as a hobby for Catherine sparked by her experience with 4-H and desire to know where food came from. She sold pork to friends and family.
Steve came along in 2013 with his knowledge of raising meat chickens, beef cattle and grain farming.
Together, they added a few outbuildings for animals and farm equipment and two years later, Catherine was selling meats at farmers’ markets along with homemade jams.
By fall of 2017, Steve thought they should build a farm store on their property. Catherine believed it was important to include her farmers’ market friends, letting them sell products year-round, as well.
The farm store recently celebrated its six-year anniversary.
“COVID was a blessing in disguise, the little store had finally been found,” Catherine said.
By 2022, they expanded their store front and added more freezers and coolers. G.A.R. is known for selling locally-raised meats. Seasonally, customers may also find turkey and lamb.
New faces come in daily along with returning customers.
“We still have customers who started buying from us off the front porch of the house,” Catherine said. “It is all about customer relations, we don’t do this for us, we do it for the people. It is important to know where your food comes from and even more that you can speak to people raising it for you.”
These first-generation farmers described started from scratch. Beginning with one tractor and one barn to now many. It has taken over 10 years to get where they are today. As they’ve gained more farm ground, they’ve upgraded equipment.
“Farming is a daily investment as you grow your business, debt is absolutely involved,” Catherine said. “Farming takes a lot of time, especially adjusting with family schedules. Days are much more stressful than others. Some seasons can be harder than others as we get into planting or harvesting, Mother Nature does not always cooperate. Once you’ve lived this life and experience what it takes, it is truly a rewarding job.”
She hopes Geauga County will remain a rural area and allow farmland to be used rather than developed.
“It would be great for youth to get involved with 4-H and find jobs in agriculture. Large animal vets are needed in our area,” Catherine said. “Mommas, please let your babies grow up to be farmers, girls can be farmers, too.”
Seldom Seen Farm
Kevin Holy and wife, Morgan, as well as their children, Chase and Cora, are full-time farmers at their Seldom Seen Farm in Montville Township.
The farm is known for its award-winning traditional and bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup, blueberries and peonies.
Kevin is the outgoing Geauga County Farm Bureau president and chairman — along with Morgan’s assistance — of the Geauga County Maple Festival syrup contest committee.
They purchased their property in 2008 as a horse farm originally and slowly switched to maple-production over the following years.
They had no initial intentions of being full-time maple producers, but as opportunities presented themselves over the years, they knew it was a great fit.
“We are truly blessed to have the support of the local community in our specialty product line,” Kevin said. “When we initially started with the aged maple syrup, we never expected it to take off like it did.”
The Holys are adding pick your own blueberries this year and pick your own peonies in 2025.
“With the great agritourism space here in Geauga County, we are excited to see what the future brings for all three products,” Kevin said. “You have to be passionate about your farm and the products you produce. Farming definitely is no simple or small task, but with the grit to keep moving forward and sharing the best product with the community, it definitely makes it worth it.”
Kevin said Geauga County has a very unique landscape, with a mix of suburban and farmland with easy access to all parts of the county.
“This gives a very unique opportunity for those farmers who focus on agritourism to really draw in and market the direct-to-consumer sales,” Kevin said. “We also have great farmland available for grain and hay farming, making Geauga County truly diverse in all sectors of agriculture.”
Orahood also recognized these farming leaders for being involved in their communities, such as actively hosting Leadership Geauga’s Program Day stops.
“They serve on boards and actively share their voices to make a difference,” Orahood said. “Specifically, they are all active farm bureau members. They listen to other farmers, share those stories, share their own stories and take action to address the challenges agriculture and our communities are facing.
“If you want to see change, you have to be willing to fight for it,” she added. “These three farms do that well — not just for themselves, but for the future of agriculture.”
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