Enjoy Bountiful Farms, Festivals and Farmers Markets Near Columbus, OH 

Haylee Ayers

The rich farming tradition of Licking County is celebrated today at festivals, markets and immersive agritourism experiences across this Central Ohio community. Licking County offers a wide range of products, from strawberries and peaches to Christmas trees and wildflowers. No matter the time of year, there’s always something to enjoy in Licking County’s agricultural landscape. 

Family Legacies 

Scattered with historic family farms dating back to the 1800s, Licking County has cultivated a farming tradition with deep roots. Today, newer operations like Bird’s Haven Farms carry on that legacy. 

“Licking County has always been an agricultural county,” says Bryn Bird, co-owner of Bird’s Haven Farms. “We have a long history of agriculture.” 

Bird’s Haven Farms started as a small family farm in Licking County, Ohio, in 1995. After making their first sale at the Granville Farmers Market, Bird and family celebrated their $7 of earnings as a huge win. Thirty years later, the farm has expanded to encompass 110 acres that include 12 high tunnels, three greenhouses and workers who are employed year-round on the full-time production farm. 

“It’s definitely grown and has taken 30 years to get where we’re at,” Bird says. 

Bird’s Haven Farms grows a range of produce, with its cherry tomatoes and spring lettuce mix being some of its most popular products. The farm also grows unique goods like jicama and cantaloupe, inspired by the family’s Colorado roots. Their produce can be found in many of Licking County’s restaurants, including Harvest Pizzeria, Moe’s Original BBQ and Alfie’s Granville. 

While the farm has grown since its inception, Bird and family stick to their roots; they are still regular vendors at the Granville Farmers Market and the Canal Market District farmers market, of which Bird was the original executive director. Licking County’s farmers markets remain a special place for Bird and family.

Haylee Ayers

From Farm to Market

Farmers markets have an important place in the Licking County community. The Canal Market District farmers market in Newark is one of the largest open-air markets in Ohio.

“It was conceived, designed and built to be a gathering hub,” says Dan Moder, executive director of Explore Licking County. “Farm markets become these really interesting, cool gathering places for the community.”

Along with its markets and farm stands, Licking County honors its farmers and agricultural offerings through several fairs and festivals throughout the year.

Events like the Newark Strawberry Festival involve the whole community; local restaurants celebrate with offerings of their own, from strawberry shortcakes to strawberry margaritas. 

The Hartford Fair, known locally as the “Biggest Little Fair in the World,” is a weeklong celebration of everything agricultural, drawing crowds from surrounding counties each year.

At the Utica Ice Cream Festival, live music and a craft fair accompany a long weekend of ice cream enjoyment at Velvet Ice Cream’s Ye Olde Mill.

Nathan Lambrecht

Pick Your Own Produce

For anyone seeking a more immersive experience of farm life, Licking County farms offer agritourism experiences of all types. Visitors can cut their own wildflowers, pluck apples and peaches, or pick out a Christmas tree from an abundance of local farms. Licking County has 13 Christmas tree farms alone. 

Lynd Fruit Farm is an example of a decades-old family orchard that offers a complete farm experience. Along with “pick your own” berries, apples, pumpkins and more, the farm runs a bustling market stocked with local produce, artisan goods and apple cider doughnuts from its Donut Trailer. 

Nathan Lambrecht

For many, a visit to a farm is about more than just picking up produce; it can be an opportunity to appreciate a different pace of life. 

“We’re located just about 30 minutes east of Columbus,” Moder says. 

“There are a million-plus people in that metro area that sometimes just want to get the heck out of the city and pick an apple.”