Arters Acres

The Produce Wagon

LocatION - 7038 Greenwich Rd. Westfield Center, Ohio

We believe in the power of the honor system and fostering a spirit of generosity, so our wagon operates on a "pay what you can afford" basis. We want everyone to have access to fresh, nutritious goodies straight from our small farm.

MONTHS & HOURS OPEN

JULY-OCTOBER
8am-6pm Daily; weather permiting

STAY IN THE LOOP

We post regularly on Facebook and Instagram during our growing season. You can also sign up for the Arters Acres newsletter to receive periodic updates.

On our small farm, variety is the name of the game, even on less than an acre of gardens

We've divided our farm into three distinct growing areas: a berry patch, pumpkin patch, and our main produce garden. Our gardens are filled with a wide range of delicious, fresh produce that will satisfy any palate.

Growin’ In The Gardens

VEGGIES

Tomatoes -
Sunsugar, Sweet Million, Artisan Bumble Bee, Vintage Wine, Rose, Dark Star, Pineapple, Celebrity, Better Boy, Big Rainbow

Peppers -
Lunchbox Snack Peppers, Ace Bell, Cubanelle, Jimmy Nardello, Lilac Bell, Yolo Wonder Bell, Hot Sunset Banana, Poblano, Primo Red

Summer Squash -
Early Prolific Straightneck Yellow Squash, Sunstripe Zucchini, Zucchini Perfection

Winter Squash -
Black Futsu, Autumn Frost, Carnival, Butterkin, Turks Turban, American Tondo, Table Star

Onions -
Walla-Walla Yellow, Patterson, Redwing Red, Tokyo Long White Green Onions

Green Beans -
Blue Lake Bush, Jade Bush, Dragon Tongue Bush

Sweet Corn - Sugar Buns

Beets - Detroit Dark Red, Touchstone Gold

Carrots - Royal Chantenay, Imperator

Peas - Sugar Daddy Snap

FRESH HERBS- Cut-your-own

Large Leaf Sweet Basil, Dill, Cilantro, Mint, Rosemary

BERRIES

Heritage Red Raspberries, Bristol & Jewel Black Raspberries, Cabot & Flavorfest Strawberries, Patriot & Jersey Blueberries

MELONS

Sugar Cube Cantaloupes

Growin’ In The Patch

SPECIALTY PUMPKINS

Baby Boo, Big Max, Cinderella, Porcelain Doll, Jill-Be-Little, Baby Bumps, Goosebumps, Sanchez, White Delight, Blue Doll, Indian Doll, Lil’ Pump-Ke-Mon, Small World of Color, Mood Whisper, Bad Jelly, Green Eggs N Ham, Flat Stacker, Musquee de Provence, Grizzly Bear, Marina Di Chioggia, Snowball, Scarface, Hot Chocolate

CARVING PUMPKINS

Igor, Expert, Duchess, Cargo, Polar Bear, Shiver, Abominable, Specter, Small World of Color, Goosebumps, Camero, Delanli, Gladiator, Big Max, Scarface

SQUASH

Black Futsu, Autumn Frost, Peanut, Carnival, Butterkin, Turks Turban, Corn Cob, American Tondo, Table Star

GOURDS

Beetlejuice, Gizmo, Small Formula Blend,
Lunch Lady

CORN

Bloody Butcher, Multi Color Broom

LONG STORAGE VARIETIES

Cinderella, Porcelain Doll, Indian Doll, Blue Doll, Big Max, Black Futsu, Autumn Frost, Butterkin, Table Star, Carnival, Turks Turban, American Tondo, Musquee de Provence, Marina Di Chioggia, Peanut, Small World of Color

Q - IS ARTERS ACRES A LEGIT FARM OR A large HOME GARDEN?

A: Arters Acres is indeed a legitimate farm that is registered with the Ohio State Secretary and a member of the Ohio Farm Bureau. We take our farming operations seriously and adhere to all necessary regulations and requirements. We are commitment to providing high-quality produce and maintaining a sustainable farming environment.

Q - Is the farm a non-profit origination or a for profit business?

A: We're actually a for-profit farm business, but that doesn't mean we lack compassion and a desire to assist those in need. Running a farm entails significant expenses, and it's essential for us to generate income to sustain our operations. However, we're still dedicated to generosity and helping people whenever we can.

Q - Is the Arters Acres Farm insured?

A: Absolutely! Arters Acres is fully insured. We understand the importance of protecting our farm and all its assets. That's why we have comprehensive farm insurance coverage through Westfield Insurance. This includes coverage for our crops, as well as the equipment we use to ensure smooth farming operations. Peace of mind is important to us, and we take every precaution to safeguard our farm and its resources.

Q - is Arters acres certified organic?

A: While Arters Acres is not currently certified organic by the USDA, we are committed to practicing organic gardening methods and maintaining the health of our farm. Although we considered obtaining certification, as a new farm with owners who have full-time careers outside of farming, we weighed the costs and strict documentation requirements of the certification program. At this time, it wasn't the right fit for us. However, we prioritize sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices to ensure the well-being of our farm and the quality of our products.

Q - What are your farming practices?

A: Our farming practices revolve around continuous learning and improvement, guided by the principle of "when you know better, you do better." As part of our commitment to staying informed, we have made significant investments in our farm infrastructure.

One of our key investments is in drip tape irrigation systems. These advanced systems allow us to deliver water efficiently and precisely to the roots of our plants, conserving water while promoting optimal growth.

In addition, we have integrated drip line timers into our irrigation setup. These timers enable us to schedule and regulate watering cycles, ensuring that our plants receive water at the most beneficial times, while minimizing waste.

To provide our plants with the necessary nutrients, we have also invested in a high-quality fertilizer injector system. This system enables us to deliver carefully calibrated nutrients directly to the plants, supporting their robust growth and development.

Moreover, we understand the importance of understanding our soil composition. That's why we regularly conduct soil tests. By analyzing the nutrient levels and pH balance of our soil, we can make informed decisions about fertilization and soil amendments, optimizing the growing conditions for our crops.

Our farming practices are driven by our commitment to sustainability and environmental friendliness. We prioritize using abundant local organic compost, organic Epsoma brand bio-tone starter fertilizer, and mulching with untreated grass clippings, shredded straw, and leaf mold to replenish the soil and nourish our plants.

In fostering a balanced ecosystem, we sow perennial beneficial insectary blend wildflowers. These flowers attract and shelter native beneficial insects, which play a crucial role in naturally controlling harmful pests. When necessary, we resort to targeted insect killers or diatomaceous earth, approved by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), and employ hand-picking methods to address pest issues.

Our farming practices are constantly evolving as we gain knowledge and experience, reflecting our dedication to producing high-quality crops while minimizing our environmental impact.

Q - what fertilizers do you use?

A: We have a range of preferred fertilizers that we use depending on the specific needs of the plants and the stage of the growing season. Here are some of our favorites:

1. FoxFarm Liquid Fertilizers: During the seedling stage, we use diluted doses of liquid fertilizers from FoxFarm. These provide the necessary nutrients to support the early growth of the plants. We also start all of our seeds in FoxFarm potting medium.

2. Compost, Bone Meal, and Espoma Bio-Starter Fertilizer: When it's time to transplant the plants into the ground, we amend the planting holes with a combination of Bull County compost, bone meal, Espoma Bio-tone starter fertilizer, and sometimes kelp meal. These amendments help provide a nutrient-rich environment for the plants to thrive.

3. Side-Dressing with Compost, Earth Worm Castings, and Espoma Brand Fertilizers: Throughout the growing season, we side-dress certain plants with additional Bull County compost, earthworm castings, and Espoma brand fertilizers. This helps provide a steady supply of nutrients to support their growth and development.

4. Liquid Fertilizers: We also utilize liquid fertilizers such as fish emulsion and products from the FoxFarm brand. These liquid fertilizers serve a dual purpose of providing essential nutrients to our plants while also improving the overall health of our soil.

By using a combination of these fertilizers, we aim to meet the specific nutritional requirements of our plants while fostering a healthy and vibrant growing environment.

Q - where do you buy your seeds, fertilizers, and farm supplies?

A: We prioritize sourcing our seeds, fertilizers, and farm supplies from Ohio-based companies, as they offer varieties that are well-suited for our local growing environment. Our primary seed suppliers are Berlin Seeds and Holmes Seed Co., as they provide a wide selection of seeds that work best for our region.

When it comes to supplies and fertilizers, we rely on Berlin Seeds as a convenient one-stop shop for many of our garden and small farm needs. Located in Ohio's Amish Country, they offer a range of products that cater to our requirements. Additionally, we also purchase various items from other local businesses specializing in farming, such as Rural King Ohio and TSC (Tractor Supply Company).

For irrigation supplies, we procure from reputable sources such as Drip Depot, Hoselink, Hoss, and even Amazon. These suppliers offer a range of high-quality products that help us maintain efficient and effective irrigation systems on our farm.