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| Logan County offers five-stop Ohio farm tour |
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| By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent
BELLEFONTAINE, Ohio — West-central Ohio is among the most fertile land in the state - rich in an abundance of corn, soybeans and wheat. But farmers in Logan County want the public to know that this county has much more to offer than three major crops.
Tour coordinator Pat Myers and her staff are conducting a Top of Ohio drive-it-yourself tour on Sept. 29-30. The purpose of this five-stop tour, which takes place in the northwestern part of the county is to promote its agricultural, historical and industrial points of interest. The tour stops include:
•AcuSport, a distributor of outdoor and shooting sports items. At this stop visitors will tour a plant that employs 200 and watch technological demonstrations. Vendors include the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Pheasants Forever, the National Wild Turkey Federation and Ducks Unlimited.
“This is an ideal stop for any outdoorsman, and it will enlighten you as to the importance of the balance of wildlife in the state,” said Vernon Owens, an outdoor sports columnist for Miller Publications in Miamisburg, Ohio. “Whether you’re a deer hunter, fisherman or ginseng hunter this stop is a must-see.”
•Hurley Farms, owned by Russ and LeaDel Hurley and Dan and Kristen Hurley. This second- and third-generation produce farm and market is found along the Great Miami River. This produce farm boasts 27 acres of sweet corn, 13 acres of produce and 300 acres of grain crops. The foursome also harvest 5,000 bales of straw to wholesale and retail through the market. The docile Little Miami Alpacas are popular with children.
•R & K Farms, owned by John R. Renick, Larry Kinney and family. This group has been advocates of no-till farming (which began around 1980) and continues today on more than 4,000 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat. Displays from the Ohio Soybean Council and Cargill, Logan County Land Trust, Indian Lake Watershed Project and Logan County Antique Assoc. are sure to capture the attention of any visitor to this stop.
“The antique machinery enthusiast will enjoy this stop,” said Russell Bartlett, antique machine enthusiast from nearby Bellefontaine. “This attraction alone is worth the stop.”
Other items at this stop include a grain bin extraction demonstration from the Bellefontaine City Firefighters. And the Logan County Sheep Assoc. will host shearing demonstrations. (Even a taste of lamb will be offered).
•O’Connor Farms, Inc, a partnership with this group and Phelps Farm LLC. Here visitors can experience a beef cattle and swine farm with 280 acres of corn, 300 acres of beans, 120 acres of wheat, 100 acres of hay and 120 acres of pasture. Limousin cattle, the swine operation, a wetlands tour and displays from the Logan County Cattle Assoc. make this a fun stop.
•Lakeview Recycling Center. The center will feature a surveillance system to protect the waste stream. Opened on Earth Day, 2007, this stop offers visitors information on where recycled materials go and on the energy savings gained through recycling.
The tour is free. For a brochure with complete details and a map contact tour coordinator Pat Myers at 937-468-2035 or e-mail to smyers@loganrec.com
This farm news was published in the Sept. 12, 2007 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. |
| 9/12/2007 |
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