Producer
Banzhaf Garten Organic Farm
Address: 1374 B State Route 603 Ashland, OH, 44805
Phone: 419-496-1424
About Us
Dave and Lori purchased the farm in 1999. At the age of 40, as a mid-life change, they
decided to turn the property into a working farm operation growing vegetable produce. In 2003
the farm gained organic certification through the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association
(OEFFA). From that time to the present the operation grew incrementally from a few small
gardens into a larger operation with a total of eleven garden plots, with a production capacity of
up to ten thousand pounds of product. Dave and Lori’s three children were the initial labor pool,
and as they grew up and departed Dave employed several workers through the years. Primary
marketing from 2004 until 2024 was through farmer’s markets, Local Roots of Wooster and
Ashland, and Richland Gro-Op. Dave retired from farmer’s markets at the end of the 2024
season. Beginning in 2025 primary marketing will be through Richland Gro-Op in Mansfield,
Ohio. The farm name is the original German spelling of Benchoff, and was chosen to honor
Dave’s farming ancestors in southern Germany and Pennsylvania.
decided to turn the property into a working farm operation growing vegetable produce. In 2003
the farm gained organic certification through the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association
(OEFFA). From that time to the present the operation grew incrementally from a few small
gardens into a larger operation with a total of eleven garden plots, with a production capacity of
up to ten thousand pounds of product. Dave and Lori’s three children were the initial labor pool,
and as they grew up and departed Dave employed several workers through the years. Primary
marketing from 2004 until 2024 was through farmer’s markets, Local Roots of Wooster and
Ashland, and Richland Gro-Op. Dave retired from farmer’s markets at the end of the 2024
season. Beginning in 2025 primary marketing will be through Richland Gro-Op in Mansfield,
Ohio. The farm name is the original German spelling of Benchoff, and was chosen to honor
Dave’s farming ancestors in southern Germany and Pennsylvania.
Practices
As per the USDA-NOP (National Organic Plan), only certified organic inputs and products
specifically approved by OEFFA Certification are used for crop production and maintenance.
Insect and disease control are accomplished through the use of products that have no detriment
to human health. Building soil health has been a long journey over two decades of building
organic matter starting with mostly clay soil. Through the years, organic matter has been built-
up using on-farm grass clippings (harvested from approximately five acres of grassland) and
applying certified organic compost. “Living soil” that is healthy for crops also requires the
presence of beneficial microbes, which is encouraged through the use of microbial stimulant as
well as “seeding” of microbes using rich soil from the farm’s woodland. In previous years Dave
collaborated with OSU-extension in Wooster to field-test specific microbes that are commercially
produced. Dave uses a drip irrigation system for hydrating the crops as well as for sending
fertilizing inputs through the drip lines. Reaching a higher level of production and crop yield is
also accomplished through succession planting of different crops through the season.
specifically approved by OEFFA Certification are used for crop production and maintenance.
Insect and disease control are accomplished through the use of products that have no detriment
to human health. Building soil health has been a long journey over two decades of building
organic matter starting with mostly clay soil. Through the years, organic matter has been built-
up using on-farm grass clippings (harvested from approximately five acres of grassland) and
applying certified organic compost. “Living soil” that is healthy for crops also requires the
presence of beneficial microbes, which is encouraged through the use of microbial stimulant as
well as “seeding” of microbes using rich soil from the farm’s woodland. In previous years Dave
collaborated with OSU-extension in Wooster to field-test specific microbes that are commercially
produced. Dave uses a drip irrigation system for hydrating the crops as well as for sending
fertilizing inputs through the drip lines. Reaching a higher level of production and crop yield is
also accomplished through succession planting of different crops through the season.