Urbana -- Valley View Farm

The 1,500 acre Valley View Farm lies in the Mad River Valley near Urbana, Ohio. Since 1870 five generations of the same family have worked and cared for its fields and gardens. In 1993 the owners created a new home and garden atop a knoll across the valley from the old family home and adjacent to a retention pond surrounded by tulip, oak, and walnut trees. A 12' wide x 45' long perennial garden at the edge of the pond was designed by Tracy DiSabato-Aust to provide a three-season flow of color, ease of access, and views from the kitchen and primary living areas. A second, side garden features roses. The gardens are meticulously maintained by the owners and enhance the beauty of the overall site, while the home has been designed to take advantage of the views to the garden or across the pond and the open vistas across the bountiful fields below. The owners' interest in their farm and garden never wanes and serves as one example of transition and change for a garden, two lifelong gardeners and farmers, and an Ohio farm.

Persons and firms associated with the garden include Tracy DiSabato-Aust (garden designer, 1993); John Beahall (architect, 1993); and the Stadler Family (owners, 1870 to date).