Our Farm Story

Canal Junction Farm is located along the junction of the historic Miami Erie and Wabash Erie Canals. We opened our doors in 1999, continuing our family’s 5-generation farming tradition. 

Since the beginning, we’ve focused on operating in harmony with the environment to raise regenerative and grass-fed meats and cheeses. All of our meat and poultry — beef, pork, chicken, lamb, and turkey — are grass-fed and pasture raised using rotational grazing. These practices heal the land while producing nutrient-dense food for you and your family. 

We’re proud to offer high-quality grass-fed meat and poultry, raw milk cheeses, and pantry goods, as well as providing delicious raw milk to our Ohio herdshare members.

This hasn’t been made possible through our hard work alone — we also owe thanks to the growing awareness of the importance of well-raised food for health and planet, and the ongoing support from our customers, followers, and cheerleaders.

Thank you for supporting our family owned and operated farm in Northwest Ohio. 

Warmly, 
Ralph, Sheila, Kyle, and the grandchildren

Why “Canal Junction”? 

The name Canal Junction pays homage to the history and geography of our location. 

Our eastern property line is the middle of the old Miami-Erie Canal, which intersects the Wabash-Erie Canal about a mile north of the farm, in the little hamlet of Junction; hence "Canal Junction.” 

Shortly before our family originally homesteaded the farm in the 1850s, these canals were built as a way to improve interstate commerce. Parts of them remain as visible landmarks throughout the region. 

After railroads and floods each did their part to damage the viability of a canal system, the canals were abandoned. Unlike the canals, our farm has stood the test of time as each generation has sought to help it thrive and grow into something more.

Meet Your Farmers

Click on each name to learn more about us.

Our Livestock

Our regenerative and grass-fed meats and cheeses are produced in harmony with the environment.

Beef

Our cattle are 100% grass-fed from start to finish, and raised on our nutrient-dense pastures. No grains, no hormones, and no GMOs. Shop grass-fed beef.

Chicken

The broiler chickens are raised from May through October. We take them to pasture in floorless, moveable pens and move them each day to fresh grass. They are also supplemented with a non-GMO grain mixture, as they need the added protein and energy to survive. Shop pastured chicken.

Pork

Our pigs are raised outside where they can root, romp, forage, and become rich in vitamin D. They’re delighted to eat curds and whey from the cheese plant and other excess milk products, as well as non-GMO grain. Shop pastured pork.

Lamb

The lambs are 100% grass-fed. During the growing season, our sheep are kept on pasture. During winter, they are fed dry hay in an open shed with deep bedding to keep them dry and well-fed. Shop grass-fed lamb.

Brown Eggs

Our laying hens are housed in a hoop greenhouse with deep bedding. During the summer, we allow access to a grass run or use mobile coops for them to free-range from. They receive non-GMO grain year-round. Shop free-range eggs.

Raw Milk Dairy

Our milk comes from our beautiful herd of Normande cows, who graze our mineral-rich pastures. 

In 2007, we started Canal Junction Farmstead Cheeses, LLC. These award-winning raw milk cheeses are made right here on the farm. Our cheeses have their own unique flavors because of the environment in which they are produced.

Our raw milk, cream, and butter is available exclusively to our herdshare members.

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