Meet the Local Growers
Every farm has a story, and Butler County is full of remarkable ones. The farmers and makers behind these businesses have turned lifelong passions, family legacies, and innovative ideas into experiences that connect visitors with the land. Meet the local growers, producers, and educators who are keeping agriculture alive while welcoming guests to experience it firsthand.
Don Popp
When it comes to all things bees and honey, there’s no one quite like Don Popp. What started as a simple favor for a friend turned into a lifelong passion, and eventually, a buzzing business. From falling in love with his first hive to building a thriving honey operation with over 1,500 beehives, Don has become a beloved local beekeeper whose honey is now found in major grocery stores and farmers markets across the region.
Alayna & Daylon Garver
Alayna and Daylon, one of the dedicated couples behind Garver Family Farm Market in Monroe, carry on a legacy rooted deep in their past. The 180-acre farm has been in their family since 1926, with ancestors farming the land as early as 1908. The farm market itself opened to the public in 1991, when Alayna's parents, Mike and Suzy, started selling corn and tomatoes from a roadside table, which gradually grew into the beautiful 12,000-square-foot facility it is today.
Emily Mullen
When fourth-generation dairy farmer, Emily Mullen, took over operations on her family's farm in Okeana, it was with a vision to modernize and grow. Today, The Mullen Dairy & Creamery is thriving as it serves dual manufacturing and agritourism markets. Visitors to the farm can tour the dairy barn with its robotic milker, befriend the cows, and purchase house-made products from the creamery, including dozens of flavored milks, courtesy of the gentle giants you just met.
Victor Gonzalez
This local lavender farm was designed to be both a beautiful destination and a place to learn. Known by many as the "Father of Lavender," Victor has spent decades studying lavender cultivation, researching oil quality, and helping growers around the world produce healthier, more productive plants. His experience spans research, farming, education, and sustainable growing practices, making him one of the most respected voices in the lavender industry.