Three things define Reeves Family Farms: Faith, Family and Farming. For Gerald and Carmela Reeves moving out to the country to raise their four kids presented them with a unique opportunity to instill the values of growing up on a farm. For Gerald, being raised on his family’s farm in Iowa provided him with his love of the industry. When moving to Ohio he knew that he too wanted his own children to have the same opportunity that he had as a child. Carmela and Gerald decided to take that step in 1994 when they moved from Cincinnati to a farm in Brown County.

Gerald and his family farm about 300 acres in Ohio raising corn, soybeans and wheat.  Gerald’s farming is not limited to Ohio. Him and his brother still farm on the property they grew up on in Iowa each year. When his father passed away 5 years ago, Gerald and his brother joined forces and together they farm 650 acres in Iowa.

Gerald and Carmela have four children Garrison, Clarissa, Carrina and Gavin. Each of them have been involved on the farm in different ways. His oldest son Garrison is now joining the operation and has just rented his own property to start farming. Clarissa is a teacher at Danville Middle School in Danville, Ohio. His daughter Karina is about to graduate college and get married this summer and his youngest son is about to graduate from high school. Each of them have participated in the farm in multiple ways and showed pigs through 4-H at the Brown County Fair.

Gerald enjoys many parts of being involved in agriculture, especially the new challenges each and every day presents, but the best part is having his family be involved in the farm. “They learn a work ethic that many kids aren’t accustomed to,” said Gerald. For Carmela, the farm provided her family a place to grow, great memories, great stories and a place for them to come back as they have grown older.

Gerald and Carmela suggest that young farmers evaluate their finances and understand the costs of things before jumping in. This way you are able to stomach the risks and even the rewards. Additionally, it is important to focus on slow growth and not rapid growth. A saying Gerald often shares with fellow farmers is that ‘if you grow too fast you’ll die but if you grow slow you’ll thrive’.  Outside of the farm the Reeves family is active in their community and church by sharing their musical talents with the congregation!