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Warren County Farm Tour a success

The first annual tour of local farms in Warren County drew a lot of community attention, despite the fact that the county has experienced a lot of urban growth. Some of the farms have had to change because of expanding urban pressures.

"We had an amazing turnout for the first year, and people were so appreciative of the opportunity to learn about these farms," said Katie Grove, organization director for Hamilton, Warren and Montgomery counties.

Grove said interest in the tour was generated by coverage in local magazines and flyers distributed around town. She said the Warren County Farm Bureau was the sole sponsor of the first annual event.

The "drive-it-yourself" tour on Sept. 9 featured insight into the various types of agriculture in Warren County, including a grain farm dating back to 1810, an alpaca farm, a miniature donkey farm and a dairy farm.

Farm stops included:

• Clark’s grain farm in Dayton, owned by Mike and Peggy Clark. The Clarks have owned this farm since 1810. Mike was born and raised on the farm, but it’s not like it was then – there have been some major changes to the farm due to expanding urban pressures.

• Heatherbrook Farms in Franklin, owned by David and Vicky Brooks. The Brooks own alpacas, starting with seven and now they have more than 250. The Brooks have a farm store and a modern facility that houses a winter birthing center, sick room and a laboratory.

• Schappacher’s Farm in Lebanon, owned by Butch and Sherry Schappacher. The business first began in 1992 when Butch and his wife grew a small pumpkin patch for their son's preschool program to visit. Butch had started growing sweet corn for family and friends; now sweet corn is a best seller at their farm market store.

• Home Acres Farm in Lebanon, owned by Terry and Cindy Schuh. The Schuhs started off in the dairy business and today they are in the Angus cattle business with a small cow-calf operation.

• Miniature Donkeys in Mason, owned by Dowell and Martha Howard. In 1995, the Howards bought the first of their breeding heard consisting of two breeding jacks and seven jennets. After a few years of learning the business, in 1999 they expanded their farm. By 2001, the Howards had grown their farm to its current size. They breed each year for about 40 foals.

Caption: Martha Howard, right, teaches visitors to her miniature donkey farm about the history of the animal. Photo by Roger Rhude