SNB Freedom Years...
Local Farm Tour Offered 
August 16, 2011 

On September 14, 201, a tour of Darke County farms is being offered by Second National Bank’s Freedom Years program. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about three local farming operations. Tour guides are Dennis Baker of SNB and Justin Petrosino, Darke County Extension Agriculture Educator. A picnic lunch provided at the Ansonia First Church of God shelter house park. 

The cost of the tour is $20.00 per person and you may reserve your spot with Dennis Baker or Leigh Fletcher, Freedom Years Director, at (937) 548-2122. Transportation is provided. The tour starts at 9:00 am and leaves from the Brethren Retirement Community’s back parking lot at 750 Chestnut St., Greenville. Approximate return is 4:30 pm. 

Description of the farms 

Cooper Farms - Cooper Farms began in 1938 when Virgil Cooper began raising and marketing turkeys in Mercer County. The farm has expanded over time by operating it’s own hatchery, feed mill and processing plants; as well as expanding into the pork industry. Cooper Farms has recently constructed observation rooms on 2 of their turkey barns and swine barns. We will see the animals in all four buildings housing young starter turkeys, growing turkeys, nursery for pigs, and hogs ready to go to market. We will hear how Cooper Farms is highly involved in food production in this area. 

Wuebker Farms LLC - Jeff and Alan Wuebker own and operate this family farm which includes producing 43,000 pigs from 1,800 sows each year. The 12 pound pigs are delivered to 2 farms in the Versailles area and the remainder to the Canton area. In addition to the pork production enterprise, there are 1,200 acres (owned and rented) that Jeff, Alan, three full-time employees and four part-time employees grow corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay. Jeff will discuss their farming operation and show modern equipment used in their crop production enterprise. 

Kremer’s Family Farm - Dan Kremer is a third generation farmer living in the original homestead from 1868. The farm is a 140 acre certified organic farm. After seeing and hearing about their organic crop and food production, you will have the opportunity to shop in the Kremer’s Family Farm Store which features locally grown foods like butter, milk, sour cream, frozen meats, eggs, cheese, honey, veggies and bread.