Preserving the Land

Preserving the Land

For decades, community contamination — from industrial and residential wastewater to agricultural runoff — poured into Grand Lake St. Marys, a public lake and recreation park in western Ohio. Combined with erosion and elimination of wetlands, in 2009, this buildup of nutrients created the perfect environment for toxic algae bloom to flourish and overtake this small, state-owned and -operated lake. Just three miles south of the lake sits Brownhaven Farm in New Bremen, Ohio. With the farm’s proximity to the lake, the Brown family felt a responsibility to care for the land and water nearby, in the same way they care for their family farm and their herd of 300 dairy cows.

Read More

Passion for Preserving

Passion for Preserving

Glass jars of home-grown, handmade jams, salsas and pickled vegetables line Shelly Grosenick’s quaint, farmhouse kitchen. Her preserved delicacies, most picked from her own garden, are enjoyed by neighbors, family and farmers market-goers alike. Shelly utilizes the resources available on her family’s 300-cow dairy farm located outside of Watertown, Wis., to nourish, feed and provide for her garden and her family. As fourth-generation dairy farmers, being resourceful is in Shelly and Jim’s blood.

Read More