URBANA, Ohio - Thinking about diving into red and black raspberry production? Learn about the successes and failures of some berry growers through an Ohio State University-sponsored berry tour on July 30.
The event, sponsored by the Ohio State South Centers at Piketon, will encompass two stops in Champaign County.
The first stop will be at Rothschild's Farm at 3143 East U.S. Rt. 36 in Urbana, Ohio, and will run from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. The Rothschild's Farm is a 170-acre farm where red and black raspberries, vegetables, flowers and herbs are grown.
The family has been raising raspberries for pick-your-own operations and local markets since the late 1970s, and has won several specialty food distinction awards for raspberry preserves and other gourmet creations.
The second stop will be at M&M Berry Farm at 345 North Mutual Union Road in Cable, Ohio, and will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. From Urbana, take U.S. Rt. 36 east approximately five miles and turn north onto North Mutual Union Road.
The tour stop is also part of the 2002 Ohio Farm Profitability Tour, designed to help Ohio farm families identify alternatives for improving the sustainability of their farming operations.
M&M Berry Farm is currently being expanded from a five-acre to a 20-acre red and black raspberry farm. The crop is sold mainly through a pick-your-own operation.
There is a $3 fee to tour the Rothschild's Farm. Children are admitted for free. The tour of M&M Berry Farm is a free event.
For more information regarding the berry tours, contact Ohio State berry coordinator Sandy Kuhn at (740) 289-2071 or e-mail kuhn.37@osu.edu.