Code,518034
Speaker,AJ and Pamela Neitenbach
Date,4/25/11
Interviewer,Carolyn Conklin
Abstract,"AJ and Pamela Neitenbach manage the Neitenbach farm, which is part of the Countryside Conservancy's Countryside Initiative program. They grow vegetables and herbs, which they grow for medicinal and culinary purposes, and then sell these products at their roadside stand and at local farmers' markets. The Neitenbachs shared knowledge of these herbs, as well as details about starting and raising a family on a farm for the first time. As newcomers to the valley, the Neitenbachs learn from educational opportunities through Countryside Conservancy, as well as from other neighboring farmers, who also provide information about the history of their property and the rest of the valley."
Tags,"Cuyahoga Valley, Neitenbach Farm, Countryside Conservancy, medicinal herbs, culinary herbs, echinacea, farmers' market, Grether family"
Special Notes,"AJ and Pamela brought their infant daughter to the interview, who makes some noise in the background a few times."
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0,introductions
1,"culinary school, failed bed and breakfast, moved to Medina"
2,"SlowFood organization, met Darwin Kelsey, farm offer in 2006, Small Farm Dream course"
3,Pamela's great-grandfather's garden; AJ and Pamela meeting each other
4,"AJ's family vegetable farm, grandfather and kids on farm"
5,"music school, culinary school, not farming backgrounds"
6,learning from other farmers and Countryside Conservancy
7,"brochures and learning about farm, proposal"
8,"getting the proposal accepted, commitment involved, proposal details"
9,questions answered in proposal
10,estimated costs and other details in proposal
11,"""Small Farm Dream"" course and inspiration"
12,starting the farm
13,learning the layout of the property
14,"figuring out what to plant where, different types of soil"
15,"walnut trees, learning from other farmers"
16,"natural medicinal herbs already growing on property, native herbs grow better"
17,"vegetables, echinacea herb"
18,"echinacea as an antiviral medication, making tinctures"
19,"additional herbs, yarrow, hopps, mint . . ."
20,used for teas as well
21,"elderberry trees for antiviral use, black walnut tree nut used in tincture"
22,"grow flowers, used for oil salves and teas; selling at farmers' market and roadside stand"
23,farmers' market process and preparation
24,interactions with customers
25,better quality of products when seller is producer
26,educational aspect of farmers' market
27,selling mixture of herbs and vegetables
28,uniqueness of selling medicinal herbs at the market
29,"Richfield and Stan Hewitt farmers' markets, plans for CC farmers' markets; roadside stand"
30,customers at the roadside stand
31,AJ and Pamela's two sons working at the roadside stand
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33,"sons growing and selling vegetables, story about son Malcom selling bouquet of flowers"
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35,raising a family on a farm and in the park
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37,important for children to understand where food comes from
38,layout of farm structures and fields
39,"previous owners Grether family, history of property, old Grether family structures"
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41,names carved into tree on property; Edward Grether history
42,Hardee family
43,"""Aunt Trudy"" house on property; tension between NPS and local property owners"
44,positive relationship with older families
45,"interactions with other farmers, social events"
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47,secondary jobs to supplement farming
48,challenges to working as a full-time farmer
49,combination of hard work and fun on the farm
50,educational goals for the future working with junior ranger program
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