–Stark County

“For He makes the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends the rain on the just and on the unjust.” — Matthew, 5:45

Humane Farms,
Artisans, and Venues
in Stark County

You’ll Find Listed on This Page…

Humane Farms
- Canton: Simon Certified Organic Family Farm (scroll down)
Humane Artisans — under construction
Humane Venues — under construction
Humane Pet Foods — under construction

(Sorry, ASL is under construction right now…)

∞
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Humane Farms in Canton

   Simon
   Certified Organic
   Family Farm

                          As for man his days are as grass:
                          as a flower of the field so he flourisheth.
                          For the wind passeth over it and it is gone;
                          and the place thereof shall know it no more.
                                                                           — Psalm 103:15-16

Farmer’s Word:

“Now that the weather has turned cold, the grass that has been eaten in the pasture won’t be growing back again until spring. Since cows only have bottom teeth, they can’t chew grass down to the dirt the way horses, goats, and sheep do. They need grass tall enough to need mowing so that they can wrap their tongue around it and tear off their bites… Looking forward to this time, we planted some oats back at the beginning of September on our hillside. For the past two weeks, we’ve been intensively grazing the dairy cows on this tender, new oat grass inside an electric tape, powered by a small solar panel. The tape is moved daily to include an area of fresh grass, and the cows really seem delighted! We are delighted too. Hay and other stored foods require energy, in the form of gas and diesel engines, to produce and store. So, the longer we can prolong the cows harvesting their own food, the smaller the “energy footprint” we make at our farm. We hope in the years to come to prolong this period of grazing well into winter as we learn to use different combinations of grasses and planting times for our region…” –Amy Simon, Farmer

The weather turning cold at the Simon Farm.

Ethics:

Brian and Amy Simon pasture their birds and animals.
They move the birds to a warm, protected shelter for the cold months of winter. When the cold weather breaks, they move the hens back to a greenhouse that has been converted to a floorless, moveable henhouse with solar-powered fans at each end of the roof to keep the hens from becoming uncomfortably warm in the daytime, and a tarp overtop to provide shadly areas for them. The hens can also choose to walk out the door at any time during daylight hours and enjoy the alfalfa field they are sitting on. They all enjoy scratching up the dry, organic straw bedding that the Simons continue to throw in for them, and all the ladies appear to be happy and healthy. The bird shelters have real, legitimate roofing and three tarpedwalls, withthe open side facing east, away from the wind. The Simonsfill the floor with their own organic wheat straw from the July harvest, and the birds are quite cozy at night when they all bed down.
In winter for the cows the Simonsput up tarps to provide windbreaks in the corral. They work hard with blowtorches to keep water flowing from the hydrants for the cows, but in extreme cold they run big cans of water from the springhouse to keep the cows from becoming thirsty.
The Simons bond with their calves by hand-feeding them the organic milk produced by the mothers andtaking them for walks around the pasture. When they acquire cows from other organic farms, they tame them by brushing them, treating them kindly, and feeding them scoops of organic grain.
Hens are harvested at around one year of age. They are undressed and processed on their own farm by people they know, to eliminate transport and minimize stress. They are used to being handled by people, so there is little anxiety involved in the process.
Chicks are bought from Meyer’s Hatchery at one day of age, when they are still free of tampering by vaccines or mutilation. There is no killing of male chicks at this hatchery, andthey only hatch out as many leghorns as they can find buyers for. The Simons have conscientously researched the practices at Meyer’s hatchery in order to make sure that they are “taking responsibility for their actions”.
There is no mutilation of birds or animals at Simon farm.
They do no force-molting.
They allow their cows to cycle and produce milk as their bodies are able to naturally. They do not use artificial hormones to force the cows to cycle and go into heat in order to breed according to a predetermined time schedule that generates more milk profits. They are never forced to produce more milk than their bodies would naturally give. If the Simons do want to encourage reproductive readiness, they do this simply through optimizing the cow’s nutritional health, adding the best alfalfa hay they have, and sea kelp powder for high mineral content.
With a dairy cow the Simons wait for obvious signs of heat (i.e., actually getting hot to the touch, jumping on one another, bellowing, and Amy says, “trying to jump on us!”) When the dairy cow is ready, they take care not to just pair her with a herd bull, as “this can be really hard on her.” Instead, they call an insemination technician to skillfully inseminate the cow through technology that provides a much more gentle way of getting a cow pregnant. No Bovine Growth Hormone or any other hormones are ever used to speed the process.
With the plumper beef cows, natural breeding with a herd bull is not so stressful for the cow, so Simons do allow these cows to interact naturally with a bull. Still, they continue to monitor this process to ensure that all their cows, beef and dairy, are breeding humanely and with respect for the natural cycle of each individual cow.
Sometimes the Simons have a cow who successfully gives birth to a healthy calf earlier than expected. Amy suggests this may be a result of allowing the cow to “have all the milk she wanted as a baby, and having her on grass her whole life, so we have done all we could to grow a healthy cow… I think that is what made the difference.”

The Simons also work hard to protect their birds and animals and birds from predators and harsh weather. Brian puts up movable pens that allow them freedom to peck in the grass without fear of burning sun or intruder attack. Cows wander freely over rolling hills. The birds and animals on the farm live naturally in reasonable peace and comfort.
The Simon Farm is biodynamic and Certified Organic, using natural organic materials to enhance soil fertility so that no man-made pesticides or chemicals are used. They collect seeds from their own organic crops and plant in organic compost for maximum sustainability and food safety.
While the family grieves any losses on the farm, they take care to compost any farm mortalities, and keep careful records as required by their organic certification.
The Simons stay deeply and dynamically involved in the farm concerns of their local and wider agricultural communities. After participating in the Northeast Ohio Food Congress last November they are finding new ways to maximize their “green” contribution to the Canton area. They examine the politics of food production, while researching farm innovations and trying resourceful ideas of their own.
Solar and other renewable energy sources are used to the maximum extent possible. The responsibility to be “but caretakers of the Earth” is taken seriously.

The sun shines through a rainbow over the farm.

Yields

Fresh brown chicken eggs are available now! They also grow: fresh edamame (best we’ve ever tasted); spinach; turnips; beets; cucumbers; fresh high-quality heirloom veggies; peppers-sweet and hot; vine-ripened tomatoes: cherry mix, paste, early, slicing, andof course some later heirlooms; rhubarb; flowers; ground cherries; medicinal herbs; varieties of beans including patty pan beans; peas; potatoes; sweet potatoes; Jerusalem artichokes; carrots; zucchini; peppers; cabbage; green beans; grains; rice; spelt; peanuts; pumpkins; butternut and other varieties of winter squashes; watermelon; strawberries; asparagus; onions; brocolli; cabbage; bok choi; eggplant; tomatillas; cauliflower; brussell sprouts; cooking greens: kale, swiss chard; lettuces; radishes; organic grass-fed Angus beef; organic chicken and turkey; herd shares and garden shares. A nearby neighbor gives lessons in making cheese, yogurt, and butter products from the milk yields. Amish friends also tap trees delicious maple syrup and Amy offers to take orders for them. And, in response to popular request, the Simons plan to grow a great crop of garlic this year!

The Simon Family welcomes the new babies.

Building bonds while hand-feeding the calves.

First autumn frost.

A young group of sisters in their pasture pen.

Community Supported Agriculture:

CSA Package for the 2009 season are available. Prior CSA members have taken their first opportunity to renew. New CSA memberships are now being offered according to availability of twenty shares this year , sold on a first come first filled basis. To be fair, when this year’s garden is full, they will begin a waiting list for next year’s garden on the same basis. To inquire about membership, email Amy at amy@simonorganics.com .
A share is sized for a family of four, or two strict vegetarians. It includes a full season of freshly picked, organic veggies…AND…
- Discounted price for classes offered: Composting withWorms with a Stark County Master Gardener, andcooking classes with chef Chuck Hass, among others in the planning stages — schedule soon to follow…
- Educational/ Children’s garden area
- Weekly flower and tea/culinary-herb bouquets in season
- An opportunity to learn and participate in a diversified, certified organic farm. For example have you ever…
  - …Collected eggs?
  - …Milked a cow?
  - …Planted a garden? Or a field?
  - …Taken a nature walk with a farmer?
  - …Harvested veggies? …Or chickens?
  - …Made hay?
  - …Brushed or fed cows?
  - …Bottle fed a calf?
  - …Held a new baby chick or turkey?
  - These are all experiences that can be had at the farm this summer for any who are interested.
Pick up at the farm or possibly at the Canton Market this year.
You buy a share in the farm for $600.
Season anticipated to run May 19 — end of September.
Tuesday evenings will be the pick-up day for the CSA garden shares.
Every week the Simonswill contact you with a list of products that are available for the week, and the member receives a share of products from that list, for herdshares and gardenshares. At the beginning of each season they welcome suggestions from members.
CSA members (and in fact, anyone who wants to visit the farm) become friends. The Simonsdialogue freely with them about the farm, invite them to bonfires and movie meet-ups, and communicate about the farm through Amy’s regular newsletter. At the endof the last harvest, they wrap up the season with a big potluck dinner where CSA members meet and discuss ideas for next year.
If this all looks like something you’d like to be a part of this year, send name, check, address, web address, and phone number to 271 52nd st SW, Canton, Ohio 44706. If you have any questions, Amy Simon’s cell phone is 330 704 2895.

The double-rainbow displays itself in rainy twilight as Amy finishes milking the cows.

Notes:

We cannot overstate our admiration for the Simon Family. We spent time with them at the farm and saw that the Simons not only care for the “residents” there, but truly love them, calling each by his or her name as they work alongside them out in the field. When the animals experience tragedy, this farm family shares in their grief, andwhen new life is born, they celebrate along with the proud parents. We ourselves have shed a few tears as we have followed their stories day-by-day.
The Simonsbelieve that education is a big part of their role in the community. With open arms they welcome visitors to tour their beautiful farm and meet the animals who live there.

"Beatrice", the new little Shorthorn/Hereford calf, stands in the east pasture with her mother.

Location and Hours:

Simon home mailing address: 271 52nd Street S W, Canton, Ohio 44706
This year you can buy Simon Organic Farm products at the Canton Farmer’s Market on Saturdays opening in June.
Hours: (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) 8AM-5PM Monday through Friday, call first
Phone: 330-484-4133
Toll Free for US and Canada: 1-800-LUV-Grass (588-4727)

How to Get to the Simon Certified Organic Family Farm from Lakewood by Car:

Make sure to call Amy before you head out, so that someone can meet you when you arrive at the house.
Start out going SOUTH on CLARENCE AVE toward BRAMLEY AVE for 0.1 mile.
CLARENCE AVE becomes BRAMLEY AVE for 0.1 mile.
Turn LEFT onto WATERBURY RD.
Immediately turn RIGHT onto LAKEWOOD HEIGHTS BLVD for 0.3 mile.
Turn LEFT onto W 140TH ST for 0.1 mile.
Merge onto I-90 E via the ramp on the LEFT toward CLEVELAND for 4.9 miles.
Take the I-71 S/OH-176 S exit, EXIT 170B, toward COLUMBUS.
0.5 mile.
Merge onto JENNINGS FWY/OH-176 S toward PARMA/DENISON AVE for 3.2 miles.
Merge onto I-480 E via the exit on the LEFT toward YOUNGSTOWN for 2.1 miles.
Merge onto I-77 S via EXIT 20B toward AKRON for 27.6 miles.
Merge onto I-76 W via EXIT 129 toward I-277/CANTON for 1.7 miles.
Merge onto I-277 E/US-224 E via EXIT 18 on the LEFT toward CANTON for 3.9 miles.
Merge onto I-77 S via EXIT 4A toward CANTON for 19.9 miles.
Merge onto CLEVELAND AVE SW/OH-800 S via EXIT 103.
3.0 miles.
Turn RIGHT onto 52ND ST SW for 0.2 mile.
End at 271 52nd St SW Canton, OH 44706-4313
Estimated: 1 hour 17 minutes, 67.64 miles

The hens are enjoying their time out of the henhouse.

The hens enjoy their time out of the henhouse.

How to Get to the Canton Farmer’s Market from Lakewood by Car:

Start out going SOUTH on CLARENCE AVE toward BRAMLEY AVE for 0.1 mile.
CLARENCE AVE becomes BRAMLEY AVE for 0.1 mile.
Turn LEFT onto WATERBURY RD.
Immediately turn RIGHT onto LAKEWOOD HEIGHTS BLVD for 0.3 mile.
Turn LEFT onto W 140TH ST for 0.1 mile.
Merge onto I-90 E via the ramp on the LEFT toward CLEVELAND for 4.9 miles.
Take the I-71 S/OH-176 S exit, EXIT 170B, toward COLUMBUS.
0.5 mile.
Merge onto JENNINGS FWY/OH-176 S toward PARMA/DENISON AVE for 3.2 miles.
Merge onto I-480 E via the exit on the LEFT toward YOUNGSTOWN for 2.1 miles.
Merge onto I-77 S via EXIT 20B toward AKRON for 27.6 miles.
Merge onto I-76 W via EXIT 129 toward I-277/CANTON for1.7 mile.
Merge onto I-76 W via EXIT 129 toward I-277/CANTON for 1.7 miles.
Merge onto I-277 E/US-224 E via EXIT 18 on the LEFT toward CANTON for 3.9 miles.
Merge onto I-77 S via EXIT 4A toward CANTON for 19.9 miles.
Take the OH-172/TUSCARAWAS ST exit, EXIT 105, toward DOWNTOWN for 0.2 mile.
Turn LEFT onto TUSCARAWAS ST W/OH-172 for 1.1 mile.
Turn LEFT onto CLEVELAND AVE NW for 0.2 mile.
Parking lot off of Cleveland Ave between 4th and 5th Streets NW.
Estimated: 1 hour, 13 minutes; 63.54 miles

Edith gave birth to the first calf of 2009, a little black bull named "John".

Best Methods of Payment:

Cash or check

More Information:

Website at http://www.simonorganics.com
Mailing Address: 271 52nd Street S W, Canton, OH 44706
Phone 330.484.4133
Toll Free 1.800.LUV.GRASS (588.4727) for Canada/US
Hours are 8-5 Monday-Friday EST
Fax 330.484.0271
email info@simonorganics.com
email amy@simonorganics.com
email brian@simonorganics.com
Amy Simon’s cell phone is 330 704 2895.

End of a day in the field.

∞

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Humane Artisans

Stark County is Under Construction

∞

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Humane Venues

Stark County is Under Construction

∞

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Humane Pet Foods

Stark County is Under Construction

∞

(Sorry, ASL is under construction right now)

∞

5 Comments »

Van Misheff said

January 18, 2010 @ 7:01 am
Amy, Brian and kids…

What a wonderful, informative, visually-stimulating site. And your care and seriousness as stewards of God’s good earth comes through loud and clear as well!

Thanks,

Van

Reply
- sonamdolma said
  
  February 25, 2010 @ 11:15 pm
  Thank you Van for this comment!!! We at Know How It Grows agree with you 100% — like you, we are inspired by the pains that the Simons take to live with regard for all creatures who live on their farm. As for myself, I am looking forward to the next season with them. Thanks for your encouragement…. ( :
  
  Reply
Esteban said

October 15, 2013 @ 2:01 am
Highly descriptive article, I enjoyed that
bit. Will there be a part 2?

Reply
- sonamdolma said
  
  January 5, 2014 @ 6:13 pm
  Yes, when we get out there.
  Please feel free to submit new material if you have firsthand experience of humane farms in Stark County. You can add info in a comment, or email me at sonamdolma@knowhowitgrows.com.
  Thank you for your interest. (:
  
  Reply
organic Food coloring said

October 18, 2014 @ 9:16 pm
organic Food coloring

-Stark County | Know How It Grows

Reply

RSS feed for comments on this post · TrackBack URI

Know How It Grows

–Stark County

You’ll Find Listed on This Page…

∞ _______________________________________________________________________________________

Humane Farms in Canton

Simon Certified Organic Family Farm

Farmer’s Word:

Ethics:

Brian and Amy Simon pasture their birds and animals.

In winter for the cows the Simonsput up tarps to provide windbreaks in the corral. They work hard with blowtorches to keep water flowing from the hydrants for the cows, but in extreme cold they run big cans of water from the springhouse to keep the cows from becoming thirsty.

The Simons bond with their calves by hand-feeding them the organic milk produced by the mothers andtaking them for walks around the pasture. When they acquire cows from other organic farms, they tame them by brushing them, treating them kindly, and feeding them scoops of organic grain.

Hens are harvested at around one year of age. They are undressed and processed on their own farm by people they know, to eliminate transport and minimize stress. They are used to being handled by people, so there is little anxiety involved in the process.

There is no mutilation of birds or animals at Simon farm.

They do no force-molting.

The Simon Farm is biodynamic and Certified Organic, using natural organic materials to enhance soil fertility so that no man-made pesticides or chemicals are used. They collect seeds from their own organic crops and plant in organic compost for maximum sustainability and food safety.

While the family grieves any losses on the farm, they take care to compost any farm mortalities, and keep careful records as required by their organic certification.

Solar and other renewable energy sources are used to the maximum extent possible. The responsibility to be “but caretakers of the Earth” is taken seriously.

Yields

Community Supported Agriculture:

A share is sized for a family of four, or two strict vegetarians. It includes a full season of freshly picked, organic veggies…AND…

Discounted price for classes offered: Composting withWorms with a Stark County Master Gardener, andcooking classes with chef Chuck Hass, among others in the planning stages — schedule soon to follow…

Educational/ Children’s garden area

Weekly flower and tea/culinary-herb bouquets in season

An opportunity to learn and participate in a diversified, certified organic farm. For example have you ever…

…Collected eggs?

…Milked a cow?

…Planted a garden? Or a field?

…Taken a nature walk with a farmer?

…Harvested veggies? …Or chickens?

…Made hay?

…Brushed or fed cows?

…Bottle fed a calf?

…Held a new baby chick or turkey?

These are all experiences that can be had at the farm this summer for any who are interested.

Pick up at the farm or possibly at the Canton Market this year.

You buy a share in the farm for $600.

Season anticipated to run May 19 — end of September.

Tuesday evenings will be the pick-up day for the CSA garden shares.

Every week the Simonswill contact you with a list of products that are available for the week, and the member receives a share of products from that list, for herdshares and gardenshares. At the beginning of each season they welcome suggestions from members.

If this all looks like something you’d like to be a part of this year, send name, check, address, web address, and phone number to 271 52nd st SW, Canton, Ohio 44706. If you have any questions, Amy Simon’s cell phone is 330 704 2895.

Notes:

The Simonsbelieve that education is a big part of their role in the community. With open arms they welcome visitors to tour their beautiful farm and meet the animals who live there.

Location and Hours:

Simon home mailing address: 271 52nd Street S W, Canton, Ohio 44706

This year you can buy Simon Organic Farm products at the Canton Farmer’s Market on Saturdays opening in June.

Hours: (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) 8AM-5PM Monday through Friday, call first

Phone: 330-484-4133

Toll Free for US and Canada: 1-800-LUV-Grass (588-4727)

How to Get to the Simon Certified Organic Family Farm from Lakewood by Car:

Make sure to call Amy before you head out, so that someone can meet you when you arrive at the house.

Start out going SOUTH on CLARENCE AVE toward BRAMLEY AVE for 0.1 mile.

CLARENCE AVE becomes BRAMLEY AVE for 0.1 mile.

Turn LEFT onto WATERBURY RD.

Immediately turn RIGHT onto LAKEWOOD HEIGHTS BLVD for 0.3 mile.

Turn LEFT onto W 140TH ST for 0.1 mile.

Merge onto I-90 E via the ramp on the LEFT toward CLEVELAND for 4.9 miles.

Take the I-71 S/OH-176 S exit, EXIT 170B, toward COLUMBUS. 0.5 mile.

Merge onto JENNINGS FWY/OH-176 S toward PARMA/DENISON AVE for 3.2 miles.

Merge onto I-480 E via the exit on the LEFT toward YOUNGSTOWN for 2.1 miles.

Merge onto I-77 S via EXIT 20B toward AKRON for 27.6 miles.

Merge onto I-76 W via EXIT 129 toward I-277/CANTON for 1.7 miles.

Merge onto I-277 E/US-224 E via EXIT 18 on the LEFT toward CANTON for 3.9 miles.

Merge onto I-77 S via EXIT 4A toward CANTON for 19.9 miles.

Merge onto CLEVELAND AVE SW/OH-800 S via EXIT 103. 3.0 miles.

Turn RIGHT onto 52ND ST SW for 0.2 mile.

End at 271 52nd St SW Canton, OH 44706-4313

Estimated: 1 hour 17 minutes, 67.64 miles

How to Get to the Canton Farmer’s Market from Lakewood by Car:

Start out going SOUTH on CLARENCE AVE toward BRAMLEY AVE for 0.1 mile.

CLARENCE AVE becomes BRAMLEY AVE for 0.1 mile.

Turn LEFT onto WATERBURY RD.

Immediately turn RIGHT onto LAKEWOOD HEIGHTS BLVD for 0.3 mile.

Turn LEFT onto W 140TH ST for 0.1 mile.

Merge onto I-90 E via the ramp on the LEFT toward CLEVELAND for 4.9 miles.

Take the I-71 S/OH-176 S exit, EXIT 170B, toward COLUMBUS. 0.5 mile.

Merge onto JENNINGS FWY/OH-176 S toward PARMA/DENISON AVE for 3.2 miles.

Merge onto I-480 E via the exit on the LEFT toward YOUNGSTOWN for 2.1 miles.

Merge onto I-77 S via EXIT 20B toward AKRON for 27.6 miles.

Merge onto I-76 W via EXIT 129 toward I-277/CANTON for1.7 mile.

Merge onto I-76 W via EXIT 129 toward I-277/CANTON for 1.7 miles.

∞
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Simon
Certified Organic
Family Farm

Take the I-71 S/OH-176 S exit, EXIT 170B, toward COLUMBUS.
0.5 mile.

Merge onto CLEVELAND AVE SW/OH-800 S via EXIT 103.
3.0 miles.

Take the I-71 S/OH-176 S exit, EXIT 170B, toward COLUMBUS.
0.5 mile.