Mizer family presented Ohio bicentennial farm award
The Mizer family was presented with the Ohio Bicentennial Farm award on Saturday, Oct. 1 during opening ceremonies at the fair. Pictured are six generations of the Mizer family. Beth Scott | Beacon
COSHOCTON – The Coshocton County Fair opening ceremony is always an exciting time as it ushers in another fair week. But this year was extra special for the Mizer family when they were recognized as a Ohio bicentennial farm from the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
“It’s humbling,” said Steve Mizer. “I never realized until today that the farm has been in the family 35 years before the fair even started.”
The farm has been home to a variety of animals throughout the years, sheep, hogs, horses, chickens, and the like, but now specializes in beef cattle with 50 head.
“Somebody the generation before moved to Vermillion, Illinois,” said Steve. “He drove 100 sheep from our place to Vermillion with the help of a dog and a boy. That was in 1863.”
The Mizers have now farmed the same land for 200 years and it has been in the family for eight generations. Their farm is located in New Guilford and there is a large sign at the front of their property proudly proclaiming their farm as an Ohio bicentennial farm.
“What I think is neat is that the kids and grandkids, they all grew up there and all the kids talk about going to the farm,” said Kim Damron, Steve and Pat Mizer’s daughter. “It’s always just been called the farm.”
The Farm is a piece of heaven on earth for the Mizer family. With no neighbors or major highways or roads in sight, it gives everyone an opportunity to put away the tech devices for a while and just relax and watch the stars.
“You can stand out in the front yard and not see any house,” said Steve. “When you go out at night, there are no lights, so the kids can see the stars. They can just go out and run. It’s a little piece of heaven on earth.”
This past summer, the Mizers had a 200 year party and 45 family members from around the country came to celebrate.
“The reason it’s so special is because it’s been in the family all these years,” said Luke Mizer, Steve and Pat’s grandson.
“It’s an honor,” said Imogene Hanes, who was born in the farm house. “It’s just home.”
Category: Arts & Entertainment
