Despite setbacks, local farm doesn’t plan on closing anytime soon

09.18.2018 - Advanced Reporting (JOUR 3010)

Despite growing interest in natural, local food, southwest Ohio regional farmer Richard Stewart is not seeing a growth in profits – triggering a change in his business model. Nestled on over 100 acres of land in North Bend, right next to the Miami River, sits Carriage House Farms. Family-owned and operated for five generations, Carriage House produces natural grains, fruits, vegetables, honey, and meat native to this region of the Midwest. They currently supply these foods to local farm-to-table restaurants and chefs, sell at Cincinnati’s local Findlay Market, as well as hosts their own events on the farm featuring unique culinary creations. Despite trends around local food and '“natural” fad diets such as paleo, Carriage House is not seeing the growth in business one would expect.

               Many factors have gone into the hindering of Stewart’s family farm, including the industrial food industry. Small amounts of corporate farming are the ones feeding large amounts of our country, even having a corner on the “Organic and natural” market with stores like Whole Foods. Besides corporate America infringing on small businesses, climate change has brought off-season warm temperatures and increased rainfall. These changes have flooded crops and brought disease, ruining their products. Just like any other business, Stewart and his family have had to learn to adapt. As of this year, they are introducing an on-farm market that they hope will increase profits and visibility of the farm and their practices.