StratfordEcological
Center
Located just south of Delaware is the Stratford Ecological Center which is a working farm devoted to promoting an understanding of how we relate to the land, the animals, and the plants. The non-profit organization provides hands-on opportunities for all ages to interact with farm animals and horticultural practices on the 236 acre property which includes a 95-acre State Nature Preserve. The center is also a certified organic research/demonstration farm which produces field crops in an 8 year rotation, fruit and vegetable crops, greenhouse crops, a variety of livestock, and a sugar bush.
Stratford is a privately owned non-profit organization dedicated to educating children and adults toward understanding the relationships between living things and their environment. Stratford hosts two annual events: Maple Sugar Festival and Harvest Festival.
Other programs include:
Wildflower Walks, Family Farm Chores, Vernal Pool Study, Canning Classes, Non-Toxic Cleaners, Organic Gardening, Working with Weeds, Goat Raising for Beginners, Wool Series 1-5 and Summer Farm Camps. Monthly groups include Green Families, Herbal Study and Simplicity Circle. Honey, meat, eggs, and pick your own produce are available on site. Guided tours by reservation for groups of 10+, at $2/person/hour.
The goal of this non-profit organization is to help people and children understand the relationship between living things and the environment. The farm portion of the Center sells in-season produce which includes vegetables, berries, tree fruit, honey and maple syrup. They also have meats available plus farm-fresh eggs!
History of the Center
In 1982, Louise Warner inherited 236 acres of land from her father Galen Oman who had purchased the land in the 1950s with plans for developing the land. As the result of an illness, Galen changed his idea of how the land should be used and proceeded to insure the land would always remain as a natural resource instead of being divided and developed into residential properties.
When Galen died, his daughter Louise and her husband Jack Warner and their daughter Gale made the decision to pursue Galen's dream. In 1990 the Stratford Ecological Center was incorporated and over the years the center added new facilities and expanded their programs.
Maple Syrup Festival
One of the big events at the Stratford Ecological Center is the Maple Syrup Festival held the first weekend of March (check schedule for exact weekend). This event, like many similar events held throughout the state each spring, features a pancake breakfast with what else, but homemade maple syrup. Visitors can see the vast array of farm animals at the center, take a wagon ride out and back to the sugar shack, even help tap a Sugar Maple tree and collect sap from those trees. Watch how the sap is boiled down to produce some of Ohio's and the country's finest Maple Syrup.
Making Maple Syrup in Ohio >>
Location:
Stratford Ecological Center & State Nature Preserve
3083 Liberty Road
Delaware, OH 43015
Hours
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
