CANFIELD, Ohio – The 2025 inductees in the Mahoning County Agricultural Hall of Fame are Larry and Kathy Bennett and Edward and Charles Barth.
The induction ceremonies will take place at the Canfield Fair at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, on the Concourse Stage, near the grandstand.
The Bennetts were the the third-generation owners of Bennett’s Greenhouse, which was a pillar of the Greenford community for over 80 years. The couple were the third-generation owners of the business.
Bennett’s was started as an orchard. It sponsored victory gardens during the Depression era and eventually specialized in growing vegetables and flowers. It was particularly famous for its red geraniums for Memorial Day and poinsettias at Christmas.
Larry and Kathy Bennett were married in 1960. They were deeply involved in their community, with Larry spending many hours mentoring other greenhouse owners and furthering horticulture education in area schools. His “best practices” in horticulture were revered by growers throughout Ohio and neighboring states.
Kathy was equally active, sharing her talents with various agricultural groups, including the Mahoning County Agricultural Society and Farm and Dairy newspaper.
After more than two decades of ownership, their hard work paid off: Bennett’s Greenhouse became the largest producer of poinsettias between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. The couple’s passion for horticulture and their commitment to the business made their greenhouse one of the most profitable in the region.
Kathy Bennett died in 2020.
Ed and Charles Barth were more than just farmers – they were visionaries in the business of poultry production and sales.
The two brothers and business partners were quiet men who were dedicated to their church and families, often working from sun up to sun down to grow their operation.
The Barth farm, established in 1928 in Poland Township, began as a traditional wheat and dairy operation but evolved to focus on poultry, crops and potatoes.
Their venture into the turkey business started humbly, with the brothers dressing birds by hand for local orders. This business quickly blossomed, and Barth Farms eventually grew to raise nearly 50,000 turkeys and chickens each year to meet public demand.
While the owner-operators were innovators in crop production, growing corn, wheat, oats and potatoes, it was their Barth Farms Fresh Turkeys that made them a household name.
They were pioneers in vertical integration, raising and processing their birds on the farm to ensure they were always fresh, never frozen, for the Thanksgiving and Christmas markets. This farm-to-table model was one of the first in the tri-state area.
Ed and Charles were smart, hardworking men of deep faith who never sought fame. They successfully grew their business in a time before modern technology, constantly adapting and improving their methods to meet the needs of a growing market.
Both men died in 2024.
The Mahoning County Agricultural Hall of Fame recognizes men, women, husband and wife teams and business partnerships who have made outstanding contributions to the industry and community, either as farmers or in an agriculture-related field.
It is sponsored by The Mahoning County Agricultural Society, which is the governing body of the Canfield Fair and fairgrounds.
Pictured at top: Larry and Kathy Bennett.