By CELESTE BAUMGARTNER
Ohio Correspondent

HAMILTON, Ohio — Siblings Jessica and Patrick Ramsey, ages 17 and 15 respectively, are earning college money by raising tomatoes on a share crop agreement with Ray and Judy Arlinghaus.

So far this year the Ramseys have picked and packed 852 25-pound boxes. During their busiest weeks they put in 10-hour days, sometimes longer. Ray Arlinghaus markets the crop mainly through Burwinkels Farm Market; some of the tomatoes go to the Oxford Farmers’ Market Uptown.

“Yes, it is hard work, but we’ve got to get in to college somehow,” said Patrick.

“I’d rather be working outside,” added Jessica.

Two years ago the Arlinghauses were shifting the focus of their business from tomatoes to orchard crops. Kathy Burwinkel of Burwinkels Farm Market liked their tomatoes and asked if there were some way they could continue to supply the market.

“We had worked for him (Arlinghaus) before,” Patrick said. “When he decided he was going to get out of the tomato business, he thought he would take us in and teach us how to raise the tomatoes.”

“Ray and Judy are such nice people to work with, that makes it fun,” said Jessica. “It’s because of Ray that we are able to do this.”

“At the beginning of the year we establish a share crop contract,” Arlinghaus said. “They supply the seed. We raise the plants, we assist in planting. They care for the crop during the growing season.

“They do all the picking and they manage the packing of the product. Then I market it. Patrick and Jessica do a wonderful job. It requires very little direction from me, as it should in a share crop arrangement.”

Jessica and Patrick stake and tie the plants, put down straw mulch, roto-till and hoe, pick and pack the product. They start in May and finish around the end of September. They planted 700 early and 800 late tomatoes, so they have produce available throughout the season.

“This year we’re doing better than we did last year,” Patrick said. “We raise Celebrity Supremes, our main variety; we raise yellow, which is Carolina Gold, and then Sunstart, which  is an early variety. We have a couple hundred Mountain Crest.”

The Ramseys, who said they get along pretty well when they work together, raise a quality product. Burwinkels Farm Markets is pleased with the crop. At the Butler County Fair, the duo took first place for the best Plate of Three in both yellow and red tomatoes and Best in Show in vegetables with the reds.

“It’s been a very good business arrangement,” said Arlinghaus. “They’re self-starting, require very little direction. Last year there was more coaching on my part, but this year they come and go as they please and do what needs to be done.”