Agriculture highlighted at Taste of Fairfield County

LANCASTER – The importance of agriculture was showcased Thursday evening at an event now in its seventh year that brought producers and members of the public together to share their experiences.

The Joy Farm, located on Lake Road, was the site of the Taste of Fairfield County, where vendors had booths set up with information and free samples that included honey, apples and beef.

Travis Markwood, president of the Lancaster-Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce, said the goal of the event is to raise awareness of agriculture as an economic driver within the county.

Ruffwing Farms, which focuses on seasonal produce, lamb and raspberries, and the East Central Ohio Beekeepers Association were just two of a handful of booths that consumers could find. Markwood said the varied agricultural products available in Fairfield County all play roles in the local economy.

“It’s really unique, the amount that’s produced here and the diversity,” he said.

Stan Smith, program assistant with the Ohio State University Extension Office in Fairfield County, said more than $100 million of agricultural products are produced annually in the county.

Smith said more than 50 percent of the county’s land is dedicated to farming, and an additional 17 percent is focused on the forestry sector of agriculture. He also pointed to the presence of two or three Christmas tree farms.

Still, he stressed the ripple economic effect that agriculture has in Fairfield County, especially with commodities such as farming equipment.

Smith, who raises corn, soybeans and some beef cattle on about 1,000 acres, called it “an experience to produce food” and said he enjoys what he does.

“It’s the life that I grew up with and the life I’ve always known,” he said.

Karen Crutcher, co-owner of Bay Food Market in Lancaster, also was in attendance at the event; her booth featured samples of sausage. The market has been in existence since 1932, Crutcher said, adding that the business has a focus on selling and processing beef and pork from local farms.

Crutcher said one of her reasons for attending was to get exposure for her business. she then pointed to other agriculture producers around her who also were in attendance.

“They know they gotta help each other,” she said.