Sunny Meadows Flower Farm, Revisited

A year ago, when we had just moved to Columbus, I looked for a small farm to find that sense of belonging one yearns for when they are feeling 'out of place'. Sure I had just transplanted myself from a different time zone, a different landscape and culture (yes, California has its own culture), but I knew that all farms share the same common denominator: earth with things growing out of it. And from my experience thus far, I have liked all the farmers I have met (regardless of where they are from), especially the small-organic-sustainable-farm-type farmers. It's easy for me to connect with them: it's easy for me to feel comfortable in their presence, and on their land. It makes me feel at home.




Sunny Meadows Flower Farm was the first farm I visited, and it gave me what I was looking for. The small farm reminded me of my friend's farm in Massachusetts, and Gretel and Steve felt like old friends with whom I could reconnect. I loved seeing their fields of flowers with so many different colors and shapes and sizes. Walking through the rows of towering sunflowers felt like living in an impressionist painting, only better.



Hard to believe that it has been a year since I was introduced to this hard working couple and their magical flower fields. Life got busy, and it was not until recently that I returned to the farm.



Steve and Gretel had expanded their growing space, renting a part of their neighbor's land for the season, to produce more flowers to meet their demand. They are still focusing on flowers, creating the most beautiful bouquets and wedding arrangements. On an impromptu tour, they showed me the different ways they tend their flowers; some need more TLC, some like to be under cover, and some just need more sunny days.



They also told me about their flower CSA which is quite a neat concept. Instead of getting produce weekly, you get bouquets of flowers. How cool is that? Imagine a house filled with beautiful flowers grown right around here. I'd say it's a swell idea.



A wise man named E.E. Cummings once said: Earth Smiles with Flowers. I could not agree more.

Sunny Meadows Flower Farm

(614) 361-5102
(614) 296-1637

SunnyMeadowsFlowerFarm@gmail.com

3555 Watkins Road, Columbus, OH 43232

Stratford Ecologial Center

It's the season of fall festivals. For the most part, our family avoid them... mostly because we are not the best at fighting crowds, wait in line, and spend a lot on really rather bad-for-you foods.



But I think that we just found the perfect festival for ourselves, and sadly, you all will have to wait until next year to experience it, too (unless, of course, you went there today!).



Stratford Ecological Center in Delaware holds an annual Harvest Festival. The place itself is worth a visit regardless of what is happening there (a working farm, animals, greenhouse, children's garden), but with the festivity, our family was impressed by the low-key, informative and fun afternoon we spent at the center.



The center's main mission is to educate young people about the food system, how food is grown, and how to respect the earth with organic practices. They have vegetables and well as livestock on site, plus a good flock of chickens and roosters in the orchard.



Today, families and children were treated to several activities, art booths, wool spinning, felting, sauerkraut making. Even the turtle lady was there (a very popular lady today, I've got to say).



Some got to ride horses, meet donkeys, and learn the differences between the two. Farm kitties appeared out of nowhere for children to follow.



There were goats, sheep, pigs, and cows munching on the just rained-on green grass being lit up by the much appreciated afternoon sun.



Secret gardens and hiking paths to the sugar shack were also good distractions into the wonder of nature.



Musicians entertained throughout the festivities. Folk singers, and bands took stage and sang nature songs. We had to remind ourselves that we were still in Ohio, and not back in Northern California!



After all, it does not really matter where we are, does it? The right spirit was there, shared by all the people attended. Together, we celebrated the earth, the harvest, and this day at the Ecological Center where its vision was, clearly, being realized.

Malabar Farm State Park

As a special birthday gift from my family, I was given a choice to go anywhere in Ohio for a day. My mind started racing. I grabbed some books I had been reading about this (still) new state of ours, and I knew that I had to prioritize where it was that would make sense for a day trip from Columbus that we would all enjoy.



When I read the article about Malabar Farm in Edible Columbus last spring, I ear-marked it, knowing that I would want to get back to it at some point. Sure enough, it came in handy. Out of all the places I read about in this book, Malabar Farm was by far the most appealing place to spend the last day of my 35th year on the planet.



A bit embarrassed that I didn't know who Louis Bromfield was before reading about the farm, I did a little research before our journey to his farm up north. An accomplished author and a notable farmer, Bromfield was quite a pioneer in environmental conservation and sustainable farming practices (my kind of hero!). After several books (with a pulitzer prize to boot), and a decade or so in France, Bromfield returned home to Ohio and built the homestead where he spent the rest of his life close to the land that he clearly loved.



The trip from Columbus took about 1.5 hours, straight up I-75, and through beautiful small country roads. The farm is well marked, and is nestled in the rolling green hills of Pleasant Valley.



As part of Ohio State Park, Malabar Farm is free to visitors. You only have to pay fees for the tours through the main house, and the tractor ride that takes you around the property. We opted for a self-guided tour, with a map and descriptions of each building in hand.



The farm has several animal residents: goats, sheep, cows, chickens, turkeys and horses to name a few. It also has a smokehouse, and greenhouse, and several other features that made us feel like we were visiting a real operating small scale farm.



On the way out of the park, we drove up Mt. Jeez for a panoramic view of the whole farm cradled by the valley. The day was grey, the sky blanketed with heavy clouds. But the land still speaks for itself. It still embodies the man who had a vision, who lived his dream, and left it for us to enjoy long after his days.

It was a most wonderful way to celebrate the beginning of a new year.

Malabar Farm State Park
4050 Bromfield Road
Lucas, Ohio 44843
Phone: (419) 892-2784

Park Hours

Daylight, closes at dark.

Visitor Center/Gift Shop Hours

Memorial Day thru Labor Day

7 Days A Week 10 AM thru 5 PM

P.S. Before you reach the farm, Malabar Restaurant (and an adjacent small farm stand) boasts the locavore ideology and delicious creations. Too bad it was closed when we visited, but now we have a good reason to go back, don't we?

Malabar Farm Restaurant
3645 Pleasant Valley Road
Perrysville, Ohio 44864
419-938-5205

Schacht Farm

Did you know that just a few miles south of Columbus in Canal Winchester, you can pick your own greens? By greens, I mean, kale, collards, mustard greens, turnip greens and more!

Schacht farm has been in operation since 1981, and perhaps it is a big kept secret that you can go there to purchase fresh produce at their farm market, or if you would like, harvest your own produce! It's brilliant. At least, it is for those who like to get their hands a little wet and dirty and know exactly where their dinner is coming from tonight.

The picking is a plenty and will be available until the end of October. I will be going back there to stock up on my greens for the winter months for sure.

Pumpkins!

The weather was really too cold to spend the afternoon on a pumpkin patch. Although, it did add to the experience, and it made our pumpkin hunting more speedy!

We went south to Circle S farm with some friends after school. Although we have been to many pumpkin patches in the past (in California and Massachusetts) I did not know what to expect from this experience...except that we were going to pick some pumpkins from their vines. Little did we know, it was a sort of farm-amusement park with hay stacks, hay slides, maze, petting zoo, hay ride plus donuts and cider! We were not prepared for all of that!

At any rate, we had fun, and it helped that we were there during their lull, so the only people who shared our hay ride to the pumpkin patch were new parents of little twin girls. We shared stories of being parents of twins. It brought back many good memories of when my own were little wee ones...just about the size of the pumpkins we brought home.

Happy Beautiful Fall Day!

I was lucky to be on a beautiful piece of land like this on this glorious day! Enjoy!

Sunny Meadows Farm

The kids and I visited Sunny Meadows Farm today after having contacted the farmers before hand to see if we could come out to see what they do. Steve and Greta could not have been nicer or more hospitable. The day was gorgeous, and I am sure they had a lot of work to do on the fields, and yet they spent so much time with us, giving us a tour of the farm, telling us about their past stories and of future dreams.

Fact is, there is a lot going on at their 10-acre farm. They are mostly growing flowers now with some seasonal vegetables. The farm supplies places like Whole Foods, and farmers markets around Columbus. There is a budding orchard, a small area for honeybees, a few greenhouses that grow food during the harsh winter months. Gretel also makes homemade soap!

Only five years into this way of life, the young couple is still learning about what works and what does not. I applaud them for following their goals of living and farming sustainably (they are not certified organic yet, but they do not use pesticides and are working towards becoming certified).

I can see a bright future for their farm, and so pleased to have found this little gem in a big city!

Sunny Meadows Flower Farm

3555 Watkins Road, Columbus, OH 43232

Market Locations

Granville Farmers Market
Downtown Granville
Saturdays 8 am - 12 pm
June - October

Pearl Market
Pearl Alley (across from the statehouse), Downtown Columbus
Tuesdays and Fridays 10:30am - 2pm
May - October

Upper Arlington Farmer's Market
Arlington Ave.
Wednesday 3:30pm to 6pm

Slate Run Historical Farm

I was elated to be introduced to Slate Run Historical Farm today by our neighbors. Getting out of the city, being on a country road with farmland and corn fields was enough, but to be at a well-run, historical farm like this one was even better!

The farm has several sections: the house, the garden, the working barn. There are also play areas and picnic tables.

The fun part, though, is watching the farm workers, dressed in their 19th century outfit, tending the fields, working the horses, and all of the chores that come with a working historical farm. A whole day can be spent here, with lots to do, and many new things to learn. And best of all, it is free!