OAK HARBOR, Ohio — As food prices continue to stay high, a local family business is taking the initiative to make a difference.
Robert Michael Wilson is the CEO of Ayling & Reichert Co. He decided to grow an alternative, cheaper food source for his family which then became one for the entire community.
The goal of Humble Gardens is affordability for all to eat.
For the last five years, Wilson has been thinking of ways to make farming practically a zero cost if enough people put in the work. Wilson says tomorrow is not promised and he wanted to make sure his family would be able to eat with or without him.
Then in October of 2023, he started the garden around Ayling & Reichert Co., allowing all families who could get there a chance to eat healthy.
Humble Gardens is nearly a zero-cost farm since community donations of food scraps, recycled tools and materials, and seeds come to the farm. Additionally, stored rainwater hydrates crops.
It's a sustainable ecosystem built out of donated food and upcycling. The entire farm can be walked or rolled through, because of raised garden beds and cushioned walkways.
Wilson says it's important to have increased accessibility and eventually wants to put Braille on the sides of garden beds to help those who can't see, but can still grow, be included in the farm.
Everyone is invited to get anything for free.
The goal is for everyone to be able to pick their own fruits, vegetables and eggs. But not just pick, but also grow as well.
There's a classroom on site where Wilson teaches art and healthy growing and eating classes. It's how Melvin and Elizabeth Zelms first got involved with the garden. The pair say they're happy when new faces show up.
"It's a lot of fun," Elizabeth Zelms said. "Even though we have a garden at home, I find it more fun over here. At home I want to just kind of relax and rest. But here, you're doing stuff. You're helping the community."
The pair of volunteers seem to be married to the garden's mission, almost as much as their 22-year marriage to each other.
"When I'm out here pulling weeds, I see a lot of people come in and ask me questions. I'm like, you need to really talk to Rob," Melvin Zelms said.
After barely a year since planting and starting out, the trio is happy that the flourishing garden is producing food and community support.
"Everything is donation-based, so we have no price tags on anything. It's a simple take what you need, leave what you can model," Wilson said. "But ultimately, I'm not trying to build a system on greed. I'm trying to build a system that just works."
Humble Gardens has support from local businesses like Happy Hour, Oak Harbor Golf Course, Wild Brew and Pisanello's Pizza to donate food scraps daily. This feeds the dozens of chickens and baby chicks, which Wilson said saves on grain.
Whether it's herbs, peppers, tomatoes, whatever is in season is up for grabs.
"Imagine a grocery store where you pull up to the aisles and you just walk down and grab whatever you want fresh and then you leave," Wilson said.
Wilson believes community support is how food can costs less and be open to all.
When asked if this makes for a successful garden, Wilson said there's no success until this idea spreads.
"I want to see Genoa open one, I want to see Fremont have one, I want to see Port Clinton," Wilson said. "Then that's successful to me."
Humble Gardens is located at 411 South Railroad St. in Oak Harbor.
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