Pigeon Roost Farm

Pigeon Roost Farm is owned by Ralph and Janice Jutte (and Jutte is pronounced Ju'-tee).

We are native "Buckeyes." We moved to Licking County in 1966 and had a small strawberry farm near Granville for several years; then, in 1979, we bought this farm. The land was part of the Refugee Tract—land set aside by the U.S. Congress in 1783 as a grant for Canadian refugees who aided the Colonies' cause during the Revolutionary War.

When we moved in, the entire farm was in disarray. We completely renovated the late-1800s home, cleaned up the yard, and tiled the fields. Then we turned our attention to the 100-year-old post and beam barn. Working on it was a challenge, and painting it was even harder. We wanted something unique, but it was still scary applying the first brushstrokes of terracotta-colored paint! Fortunately, it turned out juAugust 10, 2008n 1980, we established Jutte's Farm Market to teach our young children—Doug, Pam, and Amy—a strong work ethic and provide them not only spending money, but also savings for college. At that time, the market was largely a self-serve melon stand sheltered under a tree. Of course, it's grown beyond that now. Today's market, Pigeon Roost Farm, is a true fall entertainment center that's become a regular travel destination for several thousand families from throughout central Ohio. It's our intent to provide a positive farm experience and give younger generations an opportunity to spend time on a working farm.

Since those early days, our kids have moved on—graduating from college and graduate school—and started adult lives of their own. Still, they helped so much when we first worked on the farm that even now they're our closest advisors. These days, both Doug and Amy live in San Francisco. Pam lives with her husband, David Cox, daughter Lydia and son Spence, in Charleston, South Carolina.

We've retired from our careers now and find the farm market to be challenging, interesting, and—in the fall—a little crazy! We enjoy meeting all the great people who visit and love sharing our farm and animals with all the children and adult "kids-at-heart."

Read more about the heritage of our farm, including the origin of its name.