Jim Rosselot is the third generation to farm Gravel Knolls Farm in West Chester, Ohio. His wife, Linda and their three kids, Morgan, Erin and Lane, plus their two Percheron draft horses, a 1953 G tractor, a 1974 Massey Ferguson tractor, and a few extra strong and willing backs all make this a successful operation. The farm was first certified organic through OEFFA in 1989 and has maintained its organic certification up to 2006. Our practice of only using organic methods on the farm will never change with or without government certification.
What We Offer
In addition to the CSA's alphabetic variety of naturally grown vegetables and herbs, we also provide the following:
- Farm fresh, brown, ungraded, fertile eggs year round in the farm's retail store, The Feed Barn. Here, you can also purchase organic supplies for your lawn or garden, rid your property of pests naturally, and receive free advice from someone who practices what he preaches right there on the farm.
- Several times during the summer we offer pasture raised poultry, lamb and pork. Ask Jim for further details.
- We also sell our produce at the West Chester's Farmers' Market in the park on the square on Centre Pointe Drive from June through October.
Our Beliefs
We believe that many modern farming methods used today are nutritionally depleting our food supply, therefore depleting your health. Small farms and old fashioned values are being bought out by big corporate farming companies that lack respect for the land and the land's healthy history. Profit is corporate farming's main motivation and nutritional value takes last place in the line of priorities. Quality is being replaced by cosmetically perfect, easily shipped, less nutritious and genetically altered foods.
Although there are arguments for both sides of this matter, we have chosen the side that is time tested by nature and man, and keeps us connected to the earth while feeding our souls. It also allows our kids many safe hours of chores in the gardens during the summertime when they get sooo bored. This wouldn't be possible in a chemically dependent farming operation.
As we tell all of our CSA members, there is some RISK. Not all the crops we plant make it to harvest. Mother Nature has her own design and enjoys changing the pattern of the seasons from year to year without including our constant wish for perfect growing and harvesting conditions. These variations cause us to scratch our heads and wonder which foot is the best foot to put forward and more than not we are delighted by the discovery of the solution and most our efforts do get rewarded by the harvested bounty. Those that don't are still a valuable lesson learned for the future.
Purchase a share in the winter and spring for an abundant harvest through the growing season.
Our Commitment to Our CSA Members
Usually, eighteen weeks out of the growing season we will have an abundant amount of chemical free, naturally raised produce for you. Some of the produce may be new for you to try, some may be your favorites. At the end of the year we want you to feel that it has been as much a successful growing year for you as it has been for us.
