H-W
Organic Farms
Where We've Been and How We Got Here
Hog Wash Farms (H-W for short) got it's name
because we started out as a pork farm. Of course, that
wasn't really the beginning. Prior to 1983, we had a
mini-farm near Vermillion, Ohio . Our four children were
in 4-H at the time and we needed more land for them;
besides, I always wanted a farm. We moved to the farm in
Sullivan in September, 1983.
My friends at the Ford plant made a 100 pound
concrete pig, put it in a wooden wash tub and set it atop
of my tool box with sign saying, HOG WASH FARMS; H-W Farm
was born. I grew "organic" before it
was a buzz word. We started with pigs,
moved to beef and many tough years followed before we
changed to produce in 1987.
We finally found our niche in organic plants and
produce and it was working. We lost less money in 87 than
we did in 86. Farming is not a career
for the person who wants to make
money. Farming is a passion for those
who grow food.
Every year we do a bit better and grow a bit
larger. We now have over 1.2 acres under cover so we can
get an early start each season. Our youngest son Paul was
born in 1985. He has grown up on the
farm. Paul went to Ohio State and has
returned to the farm. He's
hooked!
We grow about 25 different varieties of
tomatoes, ten varieties of peppers, beans, egg plant,
okra, cucumbers, five types of squash, six
types of onions, many types of lettuce, four
varieties of potatoes, pickles, six varieties of herbs,
carrots, beets, cranberries, blueberries, grapes, apples,
peaches, pears, chestnuts and sweet corn.
Oh and a full gambit of
melons.
In addition to our participation in many local
farmers markets including the Kamm’s Corners Farmers
Market, Worthington Market, Clintonville Market, and Pearl
Alley Market. We also offer CSA programs,
sell to restaurants, and grocers such as Whole
Foods Market and Mustard
Seed Market. We also do a
Produce Supply Company selling organic farm products,
fertilizers and our own line of potting
soil approved for organic
production.
We do what we love, growing, and love what we
do.
Jim ,Sharon, and Paul Patterson
Owner’s
H-W Organic Farm
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