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THE NEXT GENERATION
Our son, Josh, is living the dream, building ridiculously high horse-powered and pricey engines in Nacogdoches, Texas. Considering he was a master "Lego" builder from age 4, it is no surprise he creates beautiful art that roars. Soon, he'll make his mark in the classic car world.
Making a living, from the work of our hands, sheer determination, creativity and sweat is nothing new for us or our families.
This issue focuses on the history and the future of Mulberry Creek HerbFarm plus gardening advice and always a recipe!
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HISTORY of our FARM & FAMILIES
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Our other son, Ben, will be the 5th generation, to make a living off the land, in Ohio, but our roots go way back to Southern Germany, where our relatives were mainly carpenters or farmers - MANY GREW GRAPES FOR WINE MAKING!
Ben's great uncle bought this farm, where Mulberry Creek resides, in 1936. In the '50's, his grandparents and family moved into the neighboring homestead. Here, our family farmed for the next 7 decades.
In 1989, Mark and I continued the tradition, eventually opening up Mulberry Creek Herb Farm in 1995, one year before Ben was born.
Many of you know Mark was born in Germany and also comes from a long line of fiercely hard-working, talented Germans, many who were fine furniture makers, a few firemen and gardeners.
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Ben's great uncle, great grandpa and grandpa Robert (my dad), pictured here circa 1948, were innovative farmers. Dad remembers going from plowing with horses to horse-powered tractors, then making the leap from steel to the "new-fangled rubber tires."
Natural engineers, they maintained equipment and built structures, like a sophisticated grain elevator and the impressive, expansive roof that impresses today's architects. Under that roof, in our century barn, Ben's winery will rise up.
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FUTURE OF MULBERRY CREEK:
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BEN'S STATS
- Nearly 20 years herb farm experience
- Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
- Prep cook at 3 restaurants during college
- Kent State University graduate with degrees in Business/Entrepreneurship, International Business & Enology
- Apprenticeship at "Laurello Winery"
- Winemaker at "Quarryhill Winery"
When Ben studied in Germany for a year, he was fascinated by the meticulously crafted and well-preserved architecture, artisan cheeses and meats (local food in general), and amazing wines. The taverns were welcoming, full of rich, dark wood and fine furniture.
So when he entered Kent State's pitch competition in his final semester, he distilled that experience into a business plan to create a winery, adjacent Mulberry Creek Herb Farm. Although the judges rated his presentation on top, he dropped to 4th place because his "idea was too big."
Ben decided to turn that "big dream" into reality, went back to Kent State and garnered an Enology degree, the study of wine-making. After an internship, the Gamme family hired Ben as their winemaker at "Quarryhill."
Determined to make award-winning wines, Ben is taking the next step. I won't spoil the surprise. Find out more.....
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At this event, you can taste the wines that Ben has crafted and nibble on some Ohio cheeses & other items he'll feature in his winery someday. Below is a great book with recipes like this one. Just click on:
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BAD BUGS! BAD BUGS! Whatcha gonna do....
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WHITEFLY HAVE INVADED!
When gardening due diligence smacks into a chilly, super-dry spring, it's time to take off the "gardening gloves" and get serious!
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Mark explains how he is managing through organic means via video and notes. Just click:
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