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Who knew that what started as having to come up with a prefix for my first homebred Jersey would grow into such a brand and new business ventures for me. Back in 2018, I purchased my first Jersey through an online sale in Wisconsin. A year later when she calved, I came up with the Lavender Ridge Jerseys prefix for the start of my Jersey herd. As the years have passed, this prefix is now on several animals, but it has also worked its way into my farm stand business as well.

After my first homebred Jersey was born, I knew that I needed a prefix that would stand out for my show herd of Jersey cattle. I have always had an interest in gardening and lavender plants and the farm that I am at a herdsman at, Ridge-Dell Holsteins LLC also holds a special place in my heart. With that, I knew that I wanted to combine two of my likes when forming my own prefix, hence how I came up with Lavender Ridge Jerseys. Not only do several head of cattle now carry this prefix, but in the past year, this name has carried into my newest business journey as well.

Although I have been involved in agriculture my whole life, when coming across the application for a local Farm Bureau new and expanding farming grant, I thought why not go ahead and apply for it. Even though I am not a “new” farmer, going out on my own with my Jersey herd and expanding my husband and my beef herd qualified me to be eligible for this grant. A couple months after applying, I found out that I had been elected to receive the grant. At first, my plan was to use it to grow my show herd, or to invest in equipment for our small beef operation, but quickly my ideas shifted, and Lavender Ridge Farm Stand was created.

My husband built me a wooden farm stand that is located on our property where I sell artisan baked goods, fresh cut flowers, veggies, eggs, pumpkins, cow’s milk soap and more. I started this as a fun summer project last year and it has really taken off in less than a year. I have taken many large baked goods orders for retirement parties, graduations and more, as well as floral orders for weddings, anniversaries, etc.

Not only are custom orders popular, but I also work with other local businesses to do pop-up events like a build your own bouquet bar, or coffee and cows. Other local businesses have also chosen me to decorate their storefront in the fall with pumpkins, corn stalks, straw and more.

Not only am I able to use products that we have grown ourselves on the farm, but this has also been a great way to get more involved in the community and make great connections with other local businesses and teach others what agriculture is all about! It really is amazing to me how what started as a prefix has grown into a name that people look for when choosing to support local and meet those farmers behind their food. I never really imagined myself as being a business owner other than my small dairy cattle herd, but as the farm stand continues to grow and develop, I am really looking forward to all the different opportunities that I can get involved in and be a part of to promote and grow the connection between farmers and the food that consumers eat. Blush, the Jersey that I purchased in 2018, proudly serves as the brand mascot and can be found as the shining star of the brand logo and a popular face amongst regular supporters of the business.

Submitted by Julie Holler McCormick, a member of the Trumbull County Farm Bureau board of trustees.

OFBF Mission: Working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities.