Think about the emotional drama New Carlisle has been suffering through for years over Madison Street School. Longtime Mad River Township residents remember the complaints when the beautiful stone Oak Grove School in Mad River Township was torn down. Some of us still haven’t gotten over the closing of Hustead Elementary two years ago.
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But wait…there is some new activity at Hustead school which is located at 3600 Hustead Road.
This week when we returned from a few weeks of travel, we were surprised to see yard signs advertising Hustead School House Farm Market at Oak Dale Farms. It opened just a few days before on July 1.
It turns out that when Hustead Elementary was built back in 1964, it was constructed on land that had had been farmed by the Agle Family since the late 1800s. When Hustead Elementary closed, it was sold and it only seemed logical that the Agle family would purchase their former farm land.
“It is good to have the ground back as a part of the farm,” said Vicki Agle.
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But what to do with the school has been a dilemma for the Agle family.
This summer when Sarah and Rebecca Agle could not find jobs they decided to make use of the empty school building and open their own business, a farm market.
These two young ladies are the fifth generation to live on this farm and are descended from more than one long time Clark County farm families. They are serious about making this work.
Rebecca Agle is a Greenon graduate and a junior at Wright State in nursing. Sarah Agle began her schooling in the Greenon district, but is now home schooled. Both are planning on careers in the medical field. They are hoping this business will help with tuition and Sarah is saving for a car.
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Even though they are planning medical careers, they are both building their business skill. They acquired modern scales and a cash register and accept credit and debit cards. And they are actively seeking new ways to get the publicity out.
Right now the farm market features mostly fresh fruits and vegetables, they explained. As growing season progresses a higher percentage of the produce will be locally grown or as they say “locally sourced.”
Homemade baked goods including breads and pies are featured on Saturdays in addition to the produce.
Unlike most farmers markets that open only once a week, Hustead School House Farm Market is open seven days a week. It will be open from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m to 3 p.m. Sunday.
The market is set up in the cafeteria just inside the right entrance door. Asking customers who are former Hustead Huskies to pose in front of the school mural then posting the photos on Facebook is part of the fun.
Taking a clue from the banner that still hangs the brick wall on the outside of the school, the Agles have adopted #CelebrateHustead as their hashtag.
It is hoped that eventually the market will also carry maple syrup and other locally raised produce. This fall, they plan to sell all-natural Angus beef that is raised hormone free on their farm. These would be sold as whole, half and quarters.
“If you want a quarter, you have to have a buddy to buy the other side,” said Vicki Agle. The building is very solid and the Agles have all sorts of ideas on how to use it, including some uses they refused to share until they explore the possibilities.
“We have a vision and it’s going to take a while. This is our stepping stone,” she said. “You cannot take a journey without taking the first steps.”
Hustead School House Farm Market at Oak Dale Farm has a Facebook page and is on Instagram. Questions may be answered at 937-605-3779.
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