DAYTON, Ohio – The second-oldest fruit farm in southwest Ohio was about to close for good, breaking the hearts of many in the Dayton area who referred to Monnin Fruit Farm as a “summer garden oasis.”

Monnin Fruit Farm has a rich history, dating back to its establishment in 1961 by Roger and Phyllis Monnin. The farm has been a staple in the Miami Valley, offering fresh produce and local products.

Glenn Monnin and his brother Nick became the second generation to operate the farm. Nick died in 2020, leaving all the responsibility on the shoulders of Glenn. 

“I was running it by myself and it was just enough to kill me,” Glenn said. “I was working every single day, 12 hours a day, you know, and after a while it just takes its toll.”

The farm was just weeks from dissolving when Nick’s grandsons, Layton and Logan Flatt, agreed to step up into the role as the next generation to continue the tradition and serve the community with fresh produce and baked goods.

Layton and Logan returned home from their time in the service. This spring long-time customers can expect the same fresh produce and local products, but this time with new faces at the helm. Layton, 30, and Logan, 26, are officially taking the reins.

“It’s just a natural progression,” Glenn said. “You get new energy, you get new ideas, and the boys are really into it, and I think they’re just going to be wonderful.”

Layton said, “We’ve got big shoes to fill. We’re looking to make change and serve the community the best we can.”

They say change is the only constant in life and sometimes it’s necessary.

“It’s kind of been in the works for the past couple of years,” Logan said. “I think last year it was like a real thing where our uncle was like, ‘OK, you handle it, because next year it’s going to be your show.’”

It didn’t take long for Layton and Logan to learn that running a 45-acre fruit farm is no easy task.

“I realize it’s 12 months of the year, every single day,” Layton said. “It involved year-round care. In the winter we’re pruning all the apple trees, getting ready for apple season, and then we uncover the strawberries in the spring.”

Glenn is elated to see family members take the reins.

“I’m just glad to see the farm staying in the family, and I’m glad to see it keep going,” he said. “I think mom and dad, that was their biggest thing, and so the boys, you know, it was a godsend.”

In addition to the farm, the storefront offers a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables and “U-pick” option as well.

The brothers say they have no intention of changing the status quo, but that they knew it was time to step up.

“We want to continue the tradition, continue growing and serving the people the best we can,” Layton said. “We’re going to continue to strive for that and do the best we can.”

Added Logan, “I can’t wait to just see the people in the store again. The nice days, the sunshine, the warm weather, and then just watching the community pull in the parking lot and come get the stuff that we picked, boxed and put on the shelves.”

Monnin Fruit Farm is at 8201 Frederick Pike in Dayton, just south of Vandalia.

H. Wampler Fruit Farms on Shiloh Springs Road was founded in 1950 and is the oldest fruit farm in the Dayton area.