Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Mushrush Mentzer. Them and their team share their story with us below:
No strangers to farm life, our family has always loved farming and animals. After several years of talking about starting a farm, we began to study up on sustainable farming as well as visiting several other farms. We collected valuable information and stories along the way. Most of the farmers we met said the same thing: “You just need to jump in and start… get farming!” So, we did.
In 2014, we found the perfect farm. Mom and dad were the first to move to the farm during Christmastime. Tiffany and Neil came next in April of 2015, and Heather currently lives in South Carolina. When our family took over the farm, it had not been a working farm for over 30 years. Needless to say, it needed a lot of love! Over the last three years, we have brought the farm back to life by filling the barns with animals, the land with crops, and the farmhouse with our family.
Terry (Dad) loves land, agriculture, and watching the fruits of his labor prosper at Harvest Bell. He has been the driving force behind restoring the farm, and much of its beauty is attributed to his vision and hard work.
An animal lover, Lillian (Mom) thrives on the farm. She loves having her family and animals around her at all times. You can almost always catch her at our Saturday Farmer’s Markets. As a native of the Chagrin Valley area, Lillian has been able to connect the farm with a multitude of friends.
Tiffany adores animals, and her humanitarian philosophy has put purpose behind what Harvest Bell does. Where Terry is the driving force behind the land and buildings, Tiffany is the driving force behind the care of our animals and the way we market our product. Her enthusiasm and diligence have helped make a name for Harvest Bell in the local community.
Neil knows the value of farm-raised foods which has helped the farm build relationships with a host of local businesses and organizations. Neil is also our master craftsman on the farm. If there is a structure that needs fixing or new coops for the chicks, Neil is our man.
A school teacher by trade, Heather is our resident farm girl each summer on Harvest Bell. Her helping hands have been as asset as the farm continues to grow. We also put her creativity and artistic talent to good use on the farm.
As we continue to learn, strengthen, and grow, we can’t wait to see what the future will hold for Harvest Bell Farm and our family. We look forward to sharing our journey with you.
Our Farm
Harvest Bell Farm was originally started in the 1950s and was known as the Fisher Beef Farm. Today, Harvest Bell Farm is a family farm focused on the health and wellness of the families around us. We believe in sustainable, ethical, and natural practices. Our goal is to provide naturally raised livestock and fresh crops. The farm is nestled in beautiful Newbury, Ohio where we have 20 acres to let our animals be completely pasture-raised.
Our Animals
At Harvest Bell, we raise our animals in a humane, stress-free environment. They have a constant supply of fresh water and enjoy the freedom of being outside in the sunshine and eating up nature’s offerings. In addition to nature’s offerings, our animals have a steady supply of fresh NON-GMO feed. We don’t use animal by-products, antibiotics, or other non-natural feed additives.
We currently have over 600 hundred animals on the property with laying hens, turkeys, hogs, and a few other critters. We have grown our events this year with barn rentals, Hoedown Nights on the Farm, NOMAD dinners with Cleveland Field Kitchen, and other flower-making events.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Farming is a really rewarding career but does have challenges. Each season you depend on mother nature to help you through, and she doesn’t always see it your way. Agriculture and farming are very far removed from most people’s day-to-day lives. It is our job to let people in our community know where their food comes from and how it is raised. Our farm is situated in an area where people can come out and visit us and learn about farming.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At the farm, we strive to grown our animals humanely. It was very important to me to know that each animal had a wonderful life while it was here with us. Enjoying life the way it should; seeing the sun, running in a pasture, and eating the best foods available to them. We are thankful to each animal while they are here on the farm, knowing they are sacrificing a lot for us and our community.
We grow our food and flowers naturally with no chemicals at all or organically certified products. Our philosophy on the farm is if it didn’t make it in the garden then it wasn’t meant to be. One of our best-kept secrets is our no-spray apples. They are a hard-to-find item since it is a shorter season, but we think it is worth it. Apples taste great, look funky, and don’t have anything fueling them but the rain & sunshine.
Harvest Bell is definitely known for its pasture-raised eggs. Our current flock is just around 400 birds, who you see running all over the farm finding the best bugs around Geauga County. We promise these eggs are like no other with the brightest yolks.
We are most proud to be a family-run farm deciding to get into farming when the average farmer age is 57 years old. I am proud to be a female farmer leading our farm towards a bright future.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Quality of our farm life (animals here, the products, and what we produce for the community)!
We invite customers to come to the farm and see what we are all about. We don’t hide anything and want customers to see what farming is all about, the good and the bad.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.harvestbellfarm.com
- Instagram: @harvestbellfarm
- Facebook: Harvest Bell Farm
