Blog

Yesterday, our regular Monday produce auction was preceded by our annual Memorial Day Potluck. Like all of our potlucks, it was free and open to the public. We grilled hot dogs to accompany a variety of tasty sides brought by friends of the auction, including pasta salads, chili, deviled eggs and several yummy pastries! Before loading up our plates, Mike, our auctioneer, led us through a moment of silence in memorial of those who could ...

“Follow the Food” highlights the journey that produce takes from the auction floor to homes, restaurants, healthcare providers, colleges, and hungry mouths across the region. On Saturday, May 20, strawberries in their peak of freshness and deer tongue lettuce from the Chesterhill Produce Auction made it’s way to the Whole Farm Field Day at Homecoming Ranch in Nelsonville, OH. John and Margot Baker, farm owners and operators, hosted Rural Action and other community members on ...

There has been a lot of activity the last couple weeks at the auction. We’ve been hosting students from our local schools for the annual School Day at the CPA field trips. So far we’ve had kids from 10 different schools come out to visit for a day of learning about local food systems and the environment. We only have one more day left! After welcoming the students, we rotate them through five activity stations. ...

  Spring has arrived! And with it the first consignment auction of the season. For those who weren’t able to make it out on the 8th of April, I’d like to share a recap. Our consignment auctions are a bit different from the rest, focusing more on furniture, antiques, other treasures and livestock, less on produce. Not to say that we didn’t have any!     On the auction floor, alongside handmade furniture and collectibles, ...

In spite of the chaos the end of the year brings, with all the family gatherings and deadlines at work, I always look forward to the holiday season for the promise of wholesome food. I know that I am not alone. What are some of your personal favorites? Grandma’s apple pie? Dad’s smoked ham? Personally, I have more of a savory tooth than a sweet tooth, but there is a meal that satisfies a combination ...

Holiday Bundles are available for order by December 1st. ORDER HERE for pick up on December 15th. Every year, producers of homemade foods and crafts from our community combine their efforts, skills and resources, making their unique contributions to the Chesterhill Produce Auction’s annual sale and distribution of holiday bundles. These wonderful gift sets come in three sizes, as well as a shipping bundle, and include a selection of goods from Integration Acres, Shagbark Seed ...

The Chesterhill Produce Auction has been a place to congregate and support farmers for many years. During my three-month summer term with Rural Action, it has become apparent that the auction holds a place in many people’s hearts whether it be the regulars who attend each week or people from out of the area. On a sunny Thursday afternoon in June, there was an unfamiliar van parked in the CPA lot. A woman named Luci ...

During the summer months there is an abundance of zucchini to be bid on at the produce auction. This zucchini bread recipe makes two loaves of a perfect baked good to snack on and impress. Ingredients (* = optional) 3 eggs 1 cup of white sugar 1 cup of brown sugar 1 cup of cooking oil 1 tsp. vanilla 2 cups of grated or blended zucchini (around 2½ zucchinis) 3 cups of flour 3 tsp. ...

“Follow the Food” highlights the journey that produce takes from the auction floor to homes, restaurants, healthcare providers, colleges, and hungry mouths across the region. Since April, one of the Auction’s newest customers has been Firehouse, officially named the Student Cooperative Organization (SCO). Located in Athens, OH, Firehouse is a housing cooperative, meaning residents run the house and property democratically, without a landlord. While there are five residents as of June 2022, occupancy tops out ...

You’ll be seeing some new faces around Chesterhill! Two weeks ago, three AmeriCorps members serving with the Appalachian Ohio Restore Corps (AORC) joined the Rural Action Sustainable Agriculture team. Serving through August 16, they will help Rural Action handle the growing season uptick in Auction sales and event programming. We’re excited to have them on board! NATALIE JOHNSON What have you been up to the past few years and what brings you to Rural Action? ...