Located at 2800 Cooper Foster Park Road, Woods Family Farm is a shining example of hard work, community spirit, and sustainable farming. Owned and operated by Brett and Julene Woods, the farm reflects the values of its owners—warmth, kindness, and dedication. Despite the visible joy they derive from their work, the strain of farm life is evident, a reality familiar to those who, like me, spent summers visiting farms in their youth. From sunrise to sunset, Brett and Julene juggle the demands of the farm, family, and community involvement.
Julene is a teacher in the Firelands School District, while Brett manages a woodworking shop and tends to the farm. Their three children, a senior daughter, a sophomore son, and a seventh-grade daughter, also attend Firelands schools, making the Woods family deeply rooted in the local community.
During a recent conversation, Brett and Julene shared their core values: sustainability, community involvement, and self-dependence. They aim to shorten the local supply chain, ensuring that their farm’s produce reaches the community quickly and efficiently.
However, their journey has not been without challenges. They have faced differing opinions from neighbors, city and county regulations, financial constraints, and the delicate balance of work and family life. Despite these hurdles, they view the challenges positively, as they have strengthened their bonds with the community.
Woods Family Farm operates multiple sites, with chickens on one plot and pigs on another. The main farm hosts a variety of animals, including chickens, turkeys, pigs, goats, and ducks. The egg-laying hens produce eggs daily and are typically processed after two years. Meat chickens, on the other hand, reach processing age in 8 to 10 weeks. These chickens are housed in mobile coops that are moved daily, ensuring they graze on fresh pasture in a grid pattern. They do sell pork, but in bulk by the custom cuts by the half or whole. The demand and profitability of different animals ultimately guide the farm’s sustainable offerings.
The Woods see their meat chicken operation as an opportunity to foster community relationships. They employ local landowners’ children to help feed and care for the chickens, instilling a sense of responsibility and community involvement in the next generation.
Goat meat, popular worldwide but less so in the USA, is another offering at Woods Farm. They own about ten goats, providing lean, healthy goats for 4H projects Turkeys are processed twice a year, in early August and around Thanksgiving. The pigs are divided into feeder pigs and show pigs, catering to different market needs.
All are welcome to stop by the farm stand at 2800 Cooper Foster Park Road, where they can purchase eggs, honey, maple syrup, chicken, firewood, ground meats, and beeswax lip balm, all locally produced in Vermilion. I recently bought ground turkey and chicken from their stand, and it was some of the best ground meat I have ever tasted.
In conclusion, Woods Family Farm is more than just a farm; it is a vital part of our community. Brett and Julene Woods, through their dedication to sustainability and community involvement, add immense value to Vermilion. Supporting local farmers like the Woods not only ensures we have access to high-quality, locally produced food but also strengthens our community bonds and promotes a sustainable future.