Farming has been a prominent part of the 

Cuyahoga Valley since the early 1800s. In 

order to preserve the valley’s rural scenery 

and farming heritage, Cuyahoga Valley 

National Park (CVNP) has developed a

program called the Countryside Initiative.

This program invites farmers to live and 

farm in the park using sustainable methods

appropriate for a national park. The success

of the program is due to a three-part 

partnership among the National Park Service

(NPS), the Countryside Conservancy (CC),

and the farmers.

Cuyahoga Valley’s landscapes have 

evolved through the interplay of people 

and nature, from the first huntergatherers to modern farmers. Today the 

valley’s rural farm fields and associated 

buildings are among the most historic 

and scenic resources in the park. In 1974 

Congress created CVNP to preserve and 

protect “the historic, scenic, natural, and 

recreational” resources of the Cuyahoga 

Valley, including this farming heritage. 

The Countryside Initiative fulfills this 

mandate while demonstrating land 

use practices that promote a healthy 

relationship between people and the land.

NPS owns the farms while the CC, a nonprofit created in 1999, provides expertise 

in sustainable agriculture to assist both 

park staff and the farmers in 

the program.

The farmers are carefully 

selected through a 

competitive request for 

proposal process. The NPS 

grants long-term leases of 

farmsteads and associated 

fields to private citizens who 

demonstrate the ability to practice 

sustainable farming. As part of their 

park agreement, the farmers are also 

expected to offer recreational and 

educational opportunities for 

park visitors.

Ten farms currently operate in the park. 

The vision is for over 20 farms, using 

approximately 1,350 acres, or about five 

percent, of park lands. The farms pursue 

small, diversified crop and livestock 

operations that target local specialty and 

niche markets. The first pilot farms were 

established in 2002 and others have been 

created since then. As a result, farms are 

at various stages of development. 

The Countryside Initiative promotes 

living, working farms that represent the 

rural heritage of the Cuyahoga Valley, 

while protecting cultural and natural 

resources. Many farm buildings are 

rehabilitated historic structures. 

Modifications to the buildings and 

associated grounds require careful review 

to maintain the cultural integrity of the 

property. Natural buffers between farm 

fields and neighboring streams and 

wetlands protect water resources. 

Farmers pursue sustainable practices that 

include diversified crop selection, crop 

and livestock rotation, and minimal use 

of pesticides.

A Lived-In Landscape 

Rethinking Farming

Farming in a National Park

NPS/ARRYE ROSSER

©MARIANNE GNANDT

NPS/ARRE ROSSER

NPS/ARRYE ROSSER

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley
www.cvcountryside.org

 Markets feature a diverse mix of fresh,

 nutritious, and delicious produce grown 

 by local farmers (including those who 

 farm in the Cuyahoga Valley). In addition 

 you’ll find baked goods, meats, cheeses, 

 and other artisan foods. For more

 information call (330) 657-2538 or

 visit www.cvcountryside.org.

 Countryside Farmers’ Market at

 Howe Meadow

 Saturdays, May 15 - October 30 

 9 a.m. - noon.

 Countryside Farmers’ Market at

 Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

 Thursdays, June 3 - September 23 

 4 - 7 p.m.

 Countryside Farmers’ Market at

 Happy Days Lodge

Saturdays, November 20 and 

 December 4 and 18

 9 a.m. - noon.

There are several ways to become acquainted with Countryside Initiative farmers: 

contact the farmers directly about their products, visit a Countryside Farmers’ Market, 

or attend a farm-based program. Program listings can be found in the park’s Schedule 

of Events, or by visiting www.dayinthevalley.com or www.cvcountryside.org.

The following is the 2010 list of Countryside Initiative farms.

Basket of Life Farm

4965 Quick Road, Peninsula 44264

The Walters family operates a Community 

Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. 

Members receive a weekly or biweekly 

basket of produce grown on the farm. 

Various classes are also offered. For details 

visit www.basketoflifefarm.com.

Brunty Farms

2470 Martin Road, Akron 44333

Jeff Brunty and Melanie Shenk are known 

for their chicken eggs and broilers. They 

are expanding to raise pigs and ducks and 

to grow vegetables and flowers. The farm 

also hosts a small CSA. For details visit 

www.bruntyfarms.com.

Canal Corners Farm and Market

7243 Tinker’s Creek Road, Valley View 44125

Dave Wingenfeld and his family grow and 

sell a wide range of vegetables and have 

established a market on the farm at the big 

red barn. For details call (216) 624-3916.

Goatfeathers Point Farm

4570 Akron Peninsula Road, 

Peninsula 44264

The Bechter-Smith family sells humanely

raised, pastured meat goats and heritage 

breed turkeys. For availability call 

(330) 657-2726.

Greenfield Berry Farm

2485 Major Road, Peninsula 44264

The Greenfields focus on growing

different varieties of berries as a 

Pick-Your-Own operation. They also 

sell honey, hickory syrup, and berry 

jellies, and offer a small CSA. For 

availability call (330) 657-2924.

Kossuth Farm

9640 Riverview Road, Brecksville 44141

Karoly Bozan is one of the newest

farmers. He and his parents, who moved

here from Hungary, are establishing a

multi-generational family farm that will

be a diversified crop and livestock 

operation. For details call (330) 687-2752.

Neitenbach Farm

3077 Akron Peninsula Road, 

Cuyahoga Falls 44223

The Neitenbachs grow mixed vegetables

and medicinal herbs. Pamela Neitenbach

is a certified herbalist. They have an 

on-the-farm roadside stand. For details 

call (330) 926-1176.

Sarah’s Vineyard

1204 West Steels Corners Road, 

Cuyahoga Falls 44223

The Lytz family invites you to sip at the

Wine Bar and browse the art gallery in

their 1830s barn. Food available. 

Open Wednesdays and Thursdays,

11 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays,

11 a.m. - 11 p.m.; and Sundays, 1 - 8 p.m.

For details call (330) 929-8057 or visit 

www.sarahsvineyardwinery.com.

Spring Hill Farm & Market

9570 Riverview Road, Brecksville 44141

At their farm stand, the Halko family 

sells naturally grown, seasonal produce, 

herbs, twenty varieties of tomatoes, cut 

flowers, and free-range eggs. Hours and 

products vary seasonally. For details call 

(440) 546-0652.

The Spicy Lamb Farm

6560 Akron Peninsula Road, 

Peninsula 44264

The Spicy Lamb is an enterprise

composed of agriculture, ag-tourism,

and education. The farm features

lamb, wool, an orchard, spicy herbs,

and vegetables. For details visit

www.thespicylamb.com.

Meeting the Farmers

Countryside Farmers’ Markets

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICATM

www.nps.gov/cuva

www.dayinthevalley.com

©SARA GUREN

©SARA GUREN

©SARA GUREN