Family Farm Field Day a tradition of preserving farming with a purpose
The annual Family Farm Field Day saw a huge crowd for the two-day event. Numerous speakers were featured throughout the two days, where the values of farming were highlighted.
Amish Country is known for its beautiful rolling hills where agriculture is a staple, but in the midst of that beauty is a critical piece of the area’s economy. Farming has been a family mainstay for many years in Holmes and Wayne counties, and preserving this time-honored tradition of family farming is at the crux of a recent gathering.
The 16th annual Family Farm Field Day that took place July 17-18 at the farm of Daniel and Mary Stutzman near Benton provided myriad opportunities for those interested in agriculture and farming to learn more about the many ways they can utilize their farmland effectively.
It also presented the perfect chance for the committee to continue its mission to provide an educational format for grass-based agriculture that supports low-energy and nonindustrial ways of farming while encouraging family lifestyles that promote cohesive economical and healthy rural living skills.
Basically, the event is designed to showcase the joys of farming and to help build morale and enthusiasm in the farming community.
The turnout for the two-day event indicated there are plenty of farming families out there who want to participate and learn, with 1,500 attending on day one and over 4,700 people attending day two’s events.
Committee member A.J. Miller said the annual event continues to provide valuable information every farming family can utilize.
“We want this event to continue to be something that promotes preserving and furthering our family farms with a purpose. We had breakout sessions that presented a lot of different topics that are great teaching tools for farmers, from horse training, to agriculture, to so many different topics that can benefit farming families,” Miller said. “Basically, we feel there is a need to educate the community to promote healthy, sustainable living off of the land and to re-emphasize that families still can make a successful living off the land.”
A number of key presentations were given throughout the two days.
In the farmstead area, Dan. J. Hershberger spoke on the challenges of getting started with sheep, David Erb spoke about fine-tuning grazing techniques, Daniel Stutzman and Erb presented a pasture walk, Joseph D. Miller presented good agriculture methods, and Vernon Hershberger talked on the topic of farm equipment maintenance.
In the area of homemakers, Andrew Coblentz presented how families can take their garden goods from soil to table, Simeon Yoder talked about whole milk, Roy Raber and Roy Hershberger R&R Herbs provided a field walk with herbs, Ann Miller presented how to extend the growing season, Lester Weaver touched on families learning to be creative, responsible and inspiring on the farm, and Kevin Diener zeroed in on growing nutrient-dense foods that provide cost savings.
In beekeeping, Adrian Troyer presented beginning beekeeping while beekeeping specialist from Auburn University James Tew presented the importance of Varroa mite and hive beetle control. Jason Bosler touched on managing colonies for honey production, David Kline spoke on creating bee foraging habits and Joe Kovaleski discussed sustainable beekeeping.
Homesteader talks were presented by Monroe Stutzman, who spoke on whole grains and organic grain milling. Aden Troyer presented backyard pork processing and knife sharpening, Mark Miller talked about tree grafting, and Wayne Yoder showcased his home cider press.
Natural resources included big buck set-ups from David Hershberger, a look at Shiitake mushrooms from Patrick Whitworth, observing the night sky by Daniel Hershberger, a timber walk from Randy Klum and David Hershberger, birding by Elias Raber and David Kline, and trapping muskrats by Philip Hershberger.
Ed Schlabach delved into butterflies, and professional trapper Smokey McNichols talked about white-tailed bucks and how to attract them, as well as teaching different methods of trapping, calling and snaring coyotes.
Miller said while farming continues to change, the value of farming remains a critical part of the area farming community, as well as nationwide.
“This event is a gathering place where old friends can get together. It is an educational place where we can all learn from the workshops and topics. There were activities for the kids, and it was a wonderful event where people who share a lot in common can gather together and fellowship,” Miller said.
The event also included a pair of large tents dedicated to vendors who peddled various wares and goods, as well as plenty of homemade food that allowed patrons to stay throughout each day.
The Daniel and Mary Stutzman farm also is home to their nine children. It is an 80-acre family farm that began with Daniel’s father Levi Stutzman in 1957. Being denoted as certified organic in 1998, one year after Daniel and Mary Stutzman officially took over the farm duties, this past year the farm was switched to an all-grass dairy farm. Currently, the Stutzman family milks 34 Jersey cows, producing grade-A milk for Organic Valley.
They also raise 12 calves and rent 40 acres of farmland from their neighbor, where they produce hay, triplicate and sorghum.
The funds created from the food tents went toward aiding in expenses incurred at the many area special education classes that take place in the Amish community schoolhouses throughout Holmes and Wayne counties. These classes are designed to help children with developmental disabilities learn how to support themselves and take place in the Amish schoolhouse settings, where dedicated teachers meet with students.
The classes are funded by the area churches and have made a huge impact on the students over the years.
Leon and Carol Miller said these classes have been an amazing help, and the generosity shown by others has created an avenue of learning that has been extremely beneficial.
From the funds made to aid the special education classes to providing valuable family farming information and a gathering place where farming families can unite and grow in their sense of community while encouraging one another, the event continues to be a staple of Amish Country that helps promote the many benefits of farming and agriculture.