Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon and Greg Maish.
Hi Sharon and Greg, 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.
Since we were kids, my husband Greg and I wanted to own a farm. We both grew up in the suburbs, and no one in either of our families was a farmer. On our 1st date nearly 11 years ago, this desire was one thing that made us know we were meant for each other.
Within a year of meeting, we purchased a couple of acres in Hilliard and quickly got our 1st 6 chickens. Chickens, which are jokingly referred to as “the gateway livestock,” soon progressed to beekeeping. To nurture our small apiary, we dedicated 2 acres to native prairie, fighting invasive plant species and planting Ohio natives. Through social media and organizations, we found many like-minded friends and mentors, including one couple who changed our stars. We became friends with Tom and Mary Lou Shaw through chicken keeping, homesteading, and OEFFA (Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association), where Mary Lou wrote articles and was very involved. We visited their beautiful farm a few times, and I told Greg “If I ever own a farm, it will be exactly like Tom and Mary Lou’s.”
Two years ago, around November 2021, Tom stopped by our place in Hilliard to pick something up. He told me that he and Mary Lou were selling the farm. I was shocked and saddened. He jokingly asked, “Well, do you want to buy it?” Greg and I had planned on trying to find farmland within 2-3 years, but this seemed like fate! Within 4 months, we owned a 48-acre farm we named Maish Meadow Farm & Preserve, LLC!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Greg and I became 1st-time-farmers in our late 50’s. On March 31st, 2024, we will have owned our farm for 2 years. Our first year, in addition to the flock of 12 turkeys and 20 chickens Tom and Mary Lou left to us, we purchased 4 goats, 4 pigs, and 4 beef cows (2 Mama cows and their 2-month-old babies). We planted a huge vegetable garden nurtured the established apple, peach, and hazelnut orchard. Tom and Mary Lou dedicated 30 acres of the property to wetland and prairie, and we set to work, planting native seeds and trees on a bit larger scale. We learned to mow hay and feed pigs and cows through the winter. We learned how to maintain a working windmill and drive our 2 tractors while towing a bush hog. We found mentors and people willing to help us learn, and learn we did. Fast.
To make it just a tad harder, we still own our land and home in Hilliard! We kept it because my stepson graduates high school in June. Greg also owns a little coin store in Upper Arlington, so until at least the end of summer 2024, we must manage living in 2 places that are 45 minutes apart. We have a wonderful caretaker who comes to feed and check on the animals when we cannot be there, but it is difficult not being there full-time.
Smooth road? Not exactly, but the bumps we encounter are more like rollercoaster hills than potholes, and we are both excited to round the next curve!!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When Greg and I were asked to buy our farm, I was actually on furlough from front-line healthcare. I am a respiratory therapist. Because of COVID, our hospital closed a large wing dedicated to elective orthopedic surgeries since these surgeries were put on hold during the pandemic. Though busy in the ER and ICU, our department lost work in this large wing, and my boss was forced to place someone on furlough. My father was ill and entering hospice, so I was quick to volunteer. Greg owns Arlington Coin & Watchworks in Upper Arlington. Surprisingly, it began to really do well during the pandemic, so I was able to take early retirement in December 2021 in preparation for managing the farm. I did love the excitement of my 33-year healthcare career, but now feel much more attuned to being a woman farmer!
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Working in front-line healthcare before and during the shutdown was admittedly frightening. My coworkers and I didn’t know what we were dealing with, and we were being exposed. Not knowing what I may be bringing home to my family, I changed my clothes in the garage and slept in a separate bedroom. During this time, Greg’s coin store took a turn we didn’t expect. People suddenly began buying precious metals. Greg switched gears to accommodate them. Up until the pandemic, the majority of his business was watch batteries, small watch repairs, and small estate coin and jewelry evaluations/purchases. The changes the pandemic brought to us allowed me to retire and dedicate my time to running the farm business.
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