Looking for a way to help teach your kids about plants? Here is a fun video that will help. A bonus is that they will not even know they are learning.
The Magic School Bus Gets Planted from Melissa Erwin on Vimeo.
Jan 192016
Apr 252015
This post in part of a series about produce auctions across the USA. While this is not a comprehensive list, I have tried to include auctions about which I can find information. If you know of any others, feel free to leave a note in the comments section.
Ohio produce growers and those in search of produce, have several choices of produce auctions to attend. Rural Action has a map of 9 different produce auctions across Ohio. There is a new auction (Scioto Valley Produce Auction) that is not on Rural Action’s map, bringing the total to 10 different produce auctions. While the majority are found in the northeast part of the state, there are several found in the southern part as well as on auction in the northwest part of the state.
Chesterhill Produce Auction, in Morgan County is located at 8380 Wagoner Rd, Chesterhill, Ohio, is a example of having the right people in the right place at the right time to fill a need of a community. The video here explains how and why this auction was started. They also highlight the benefits to the community and the farmers. Starting in May, on Mondays and Thursdays at 4 p.m, the auction will continue into October.
On a side note, I was really thrilled to see the effort and results put into this auction by those who first thought of idea and those who have joined to make it a success. It would have been easy to give up and throw in the towel any number of times along the way. Instead, perseverance has paid off and now there is a thriving auction in place that benefits all involved.
Here are two more links about the auction in Chesterville :
Chesterhill Produce Auction: A Rural Appalachia Case Study
Chesterhill Produce Auction from Rural Action
Bainbridge Produce Auction in Ross County is located 5 miles south of Bainbridge, Ohio 45612 on St. Route 41. This is in the southwest portion of Ohio, about 1.5 hours east of Cincinnati. Auctions are held 3 times a week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. For further information call 740-634-3451.
Owl Creek Produce Auction, in Marrow County, is located at 20999 Waterford Rd. (St. Rt. 22) Fredricktown, Ohio 43019. The 2015 Season began in early April. In May the auctions move to taking place on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and Fridays at 9 a.m. From June through the beginning of October auctions take place 3 times a week. Check out their website for times.
Ohio’s Country Journal wrote an article in 2014 highlighting the Owl Creek Produce Auction.
Scioto Valley Produce Auction in Hardin County if a fairly new auction, locate a few miles east of Kenton Ohio. This auction is fairly new, having started in 2011. The auction is located at 18031 State Route 309, Kenton, Ohio 43326.
The first auction of the 2015 Season was April 17th. Check their Facebook page for more information on upcoming auction dates and times.
Here is another video featuring the Scioto Valley Produce Auction.
Captina Produce Auction is located at 39050 W. Captina Highway, Barnesville, Ohio in Belmont County. Auctions are held on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. Here is an article from written by the Barnesville-Enterprise that tells a bit more about this auction and what you might find.
Mt. Hope Produce Auction in Holmes County is located at 7701 St. Rt. 241 Millersburg, Ohio 44654
From their website: “The Farmer’s Produce Auction was started in 1995 as a wholesale market for local farmers to grow and sell their produce in bulk to buyers throughout the state. The Produce Auction was the first of its kind started in Ohio and is currently one of the largest in the state.”
Looking at their auction schedule, I would have to agree. They currently are running produce auctions twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays), though say they will be “running Monday @ 11:00 AM, Tuesday, Thursday, and Fridays at 10:00 AM.”
Here are some further articles, experiences and photos from the Mt. Hope Produce Auction:
- JD Schrock writes, at AmishLeben.com, of a visit made to the produce auction while passing through the area.
- Buehler’s Fresh Foods shares what it is like for Dave to attend the auction and buy produce for their store.
- The Amish Country Almanac tells more about the various auctions held , in addition to the produce auction.
Homerville Produce Auction is found in Medina County. Their address is 9430 Spencer Rd. Homerville, Ohio 44235
To see when their next auction is, check out their Facebook page.
Middlefield Produce Auction/Geauge Growers Produce Auction, in Geauge County, is a very action packed place to be. Found at 14575 Madison Rd. (St.Rt. 528) Middlefield, Ohio 44062, this auction can have up to 3 different auction rings going at the same time by the high of summer. Even through the winter they are selling items, though no produce.
The first auction for the 2015 Season was April 6th. Through the month of April Monday auctions are held 5 p.m. Begining May 1st, 10 a.m. Friday auctions will also be held. In June, the 10 a.m. Wednesday auctions will be added.
Here is an article from Cleveland.com concerning the Middlefield Produce Auction – Monday Is Auction Day In Middlefield.
Blooming Grove Auction, located at 1091 Free Rd. Shiloh, Ohio 44878 is in Richland County. To find time of auctions, check here. A phone number can also be found at the same link, if you are wanting to double check whether an auction is take place at a certain time.
Jun 252012
Natasha, at Mother of Seven, posted recently about a money saving tip they have started using in their garden. Not only did it save them money, but it used something they already had on hand. This meant they didn’t have to pay for material. Free is my favorite price.
I am thinking I can find the material either at church, friends, or Freecycle. My plants are already in the ground, but I may be able to do this around several that are still on the small side.
With the lack of rain right now, this would be very useful in directing the water to where it would be most useful. That is, to the plants’ roots.
I think this would also save time and allow children to help. The watering area would have a more defined target and the amount of water used could be easily measured.
Recently I had to instruct my newest “helper” that plants drink water from their roots, not their leaves. This meant that the water needed to go on the ground near the plants, not on the leaves and a foot away from the newly planted flowers. Oh, the things I take for granted that everyone knows. This tip would have really helped.