Today we’d like to introduce you to Yvonne Boltz
Hi Yvonne, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Boltz to Nutz Farm started with a need—a need for an accessible home and a vision for something greater. In 2015, Eric became a complete paraplegic, and after years of struggling to adapt our multi-level house, we realized it was time to start fresh. In 2019, we purchased land to build a fully accessible home, designing it with a two-bedroom apartment intended as a vacation rental for families with disabled members and, more importantly, as a retreat for newly disabled individuals and their caregivers. We knew from personal experience that the first years after an acquired disability are about grief, adaptation, and rediscovery—we wanted to provide a place where those facing that journey could find hope, or at least the seeds of it.
Then the world changed. COVID hit just as we were breaking ground, and with uncertainty all around, we made a bold decision—we would become an operating farm. We invested in equipment, soil restoration, and sustainable practices, transforming the land into a biodiverse ecosystem where every plant, animal, and insect plays a role in the operation. From cover cropping and green manure to natural pest control using predator insects and co-cropping, we embraced sustainable, regenerative farming. Instead of fighting nature, we partnered with it—welcoming pollinators, birds of prey, and even coyotes as part of the delicate balance of a thriving farm.
Today, Boltz to Nutz is more than just a farm—it’s a mission-driven business with multiple layers. We grow produce and medicinal plants, raise limited livestock and chickens, and produce naturally derived personal care products and hemp-based nutraceuticals. But the heart of our work is BoltzStrong, our nonprofit that empowers kids and adults with disabilities through adapted cooking and gardening classes. Our goal is to create a truly inclusive space where the disabled community can access the farm fully—through adaptive outdoor activities like fishing, archery, and handcycling, and by engaging with nature in ways that are often out of reach.
At Boltz to Nutz, every purchase supports something bigger—a sustainable future, a thriving ecosystem, and a community where everyone, regardless of ability, has a place.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road—but building something meaningful rarely is.
We initially focused on hemp-based products, as Eric found them incredibly effective for managing neuropathic pain and muscle spasms caused by his spinal cord injury. However, we quickly discovered that the hemp industry is dominated by major players who have made it a pay-to-play market, creating significant barriers for small producers like us. Rather than fighting an uphill battle against industry giants, we made a strategic pivot—expanding our farm’s focus to include diverse produce, eggs, prepared foods, and a new line of personal care products. While we still produce and sell hemp-based items, our broader product range has made it much easier to connect with customers.
Beyond our farm-fresh products, we’ve also expanded into experiential offerings. We host team-building and family cooking classes, pick-your-own produce experiences, and farm visits, all set in a serene, welcoming space. These hands-on experiences give people a deeper connection to their food, their environment, and each other—while supporting a business that reinvests in the community.
Like farming itself, the road hasn’t always been smooth, but every challenge has shaped us into the resilient, diverse, and mission-driven enterprise we are today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What sets Boltz to Nutz Farm apart isn’t just our unique prepared foods, fresh produce, and all-natural personal care products. It’s not even our specialty hemp-based products designed for individuals with neurogenic disorders like spinal cord injuries. Nor is it just our commitment to biodiversity—using predator insects and nematodes instead of pesticides.
What truly sets us apart is what happens after the sale—our outreach.
Boltz to Nutz Farm is also home to BoltzStrong.org, a nonprofit dedicated to building independence and community through cooking and gardening. We offer fully accessible, hands-on classes that empower individuals with disabilities to grow, prepare, and enjoy food with confidence. Since launching in August 2022, we’ve hosted over 135 classes, reaching more than 300 individuals with disabilities and over 400 family members and caregivers. We’re honored to provide programming for organizations like Cincinnati Children’s be.well program, the Down Syndrome Association of Cincinnati, and many others.
But Boltz to Nutz is more than just a farm or a nonprofit—it’s a place where everyone belongs. No matter your abilities, there’s a space for you here. Whether you’re picking your own produce, feeding the sheep and chickens, learning about sustainable farming, cooking in our adaptive kitchen, or simply relaxing by the pond, this is a judgment-free space where you can just be you.
That’s what makes Boltz to Nutz Farm truly unique. It’s not just about what we grow—it’s about who we lift up along the way.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson we’ve learned? Resilience isn’t just about surviving—it’s about adapting, growing, and creating something meaningful in the face of challenges.
When we started this journey, we thought we were simply building a farm and a business. What we actually built was a purpose. We learned that setbacks aren’t roadblocks—they’re redirections. When the hemp industry proved to be an uphill battle, we diversified. When accessibility barriers limited opportunities for people with disabilities, we created a space where everyone belongs. When the world shut down during COVID, we planted the seeds—literally and figuratively—for something greater.
Most of all, we’ve learned that true success isn’t measured in dollars, but in impact. Every class we teach, every product we sell, every moment someone feels seen and included at Boltz to Nutz Farm is a reminder that we’re building more than a business—we’re building a community.
Farming has taught us that growth doesn’t happen overnight. It takes patience, care, and a willingness to embrace change. That’s a lesson we carry in everything we do.
Pricing:
- CBD Gummies 12.00-30.00
- CBD Tinctures 39.00-78.00/ CBD Salves 13.00-49.50
- Hand Cream 9.00-20.00
- Aromatherapy and Massage Oil 5.00-18.00
- Shampoo Bars 17.00-20.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.boltz2nutz.com and www.boltzstrong.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boltz2nutzfarm/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boltz2nutzfarm
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boltz-to-nutz-farm-llc/?viewAsMember=true
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@boltz2nutz
