::: the mission

The Mahoning Valley in Northeastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania encompasses one of the most productive agricultural landscapes in the United States. From food and clothing to lumber and baskets, the variety and wealth of farm-based industries can easily be overlooked. By buying locally, you support farms and businesses that make up your local community and regional economy. Fresh, locally-grown foods taste delicious and are healthier for you and it is our goal to help you identify where you can get these foods and other agricultural goods and services. When you buy from a local farmer, everyone wins.

The Mahoning Valley Agricultural Guide was developed by concerned citizens, agencies, farmers, vendors, industries, teachers, and consumers who united as a focus group to raise awareness about the use of local agricultural resources for the benefit of all. This web site continues that mission by helping consumers Enjoy the Splendor of the Mahoning Valley.

The Mahoning Valley Locally Grown Foods & Farm Products Guide 2010 is available online. Contact the Mahoning County Farm Bureau, the Mahoning Soil and Water Conservation District, or the Ohio State Cooperative Extension (Mahoning County) for printed copies. The Online Guide is updated constantly, so be sure to check this site for the latest changes. To be included in the guide and web site, send us your information by completing the Agri Business Survey.

In addition to the Special Events page that highlights the good happenings on the farms and at the agricultural markets, you can find related key community and agricultural events on the new Calendar page. The News page presents breaking agricultural news and important announcements in one place for easy access. Check deadlines and noteworthy activities happening in your neighborhood or of vital interest to you and your family.

The Mahoning Valley Agribusiness Focus Group is always looking for projects that connect the consumer with local food and agricultural resources. One past innovative effort was the 2009 Agri Passport to the Splendor of the Valley Farm Tour program, which provided another way for to educate consumers while enhancing the connection with local producers. If you would like to join us in creating and enhancing such programs, Contact Us.

::: the guide

The Mahoning Valley Agricultural Guide is a free directory to some of the Mahoning Valley's agricultural places of interest. The Guide was formally introduced to the public during the Youngstown State University Arts Festival July 12th. The Mahoning Valley Agribusiness Focus Group had a booth at the street fair that provide information on agriculture.

To get your own free copy of the most recent Mahoning Valley Locally Grown Foods & Farm Products Guide 2010, you can print one from the PDF format version (Acrobat Reader required) or you can contact us to send you a Guide. The online version of the Guide constantly updates the Guide's list of agricultural producers, in addition to announcing key events held by individual farms.

To help you avoid getting lost when exploring what the Mahoning Valley has to offer, use the online Markets Map of the producers in the Guide.

top

::: the producers

Because there is such a variety of products and services related to agriculture, the term "producer" can be found on this site as well as the more familiar term "farmer" to describe a source of agricultural goods. In the Mahoning Valley, many Agricultural Producers are family farmers who grow or manufacture what they sell, but there are also markets where farmers and related vendors bring their food and merchandise to you, the consumer.

To get your business listed in the Mahoning Valley Agricultural Guide, complete the Agri Business Survey (PDF 2.5 MB) and submit it to one of our contacts. Currently there is no charge to be included in the Guide.

::: ask the Mahoning Valley farmer

In this time of information overload, it can be difficult to separate fact from fantasy. Through the generosity of a real farmer, Mahoning Valley Agribusiness Focus Group can now help you easily find factual answers to your questions. Just email the Mahoning Valley Farmer at AskFarmer@MahoningValleyAgriGuide.com with your questions and mysteries. The Mahoning Valley Farmer personally reads all the mail and answers each one.

Check this web site for Mahoning Valley Farmer answers to some of the queries and concerns he receives.

Page updated 6 August 2011

Web site by Charlotte Agustin