450 Bales of Hay, Packed Saturdays &
Building Momentum at Pure Passions Farm
There are weeks where you feel growth happening in real time.
This past week at Pure Passions Farm in Kent, Ohio was one of those stretches — early morning alpaca visits, repeat clients, new volunteers stepping up, wedding events with our Beer Steer, 450 bales of hay delivered, store renovations, and a Saturday schedule that reminds us exactly how much rides on one day.
It was full.
It was productive.
And it was a clear sign that our systems —and our team — are getting stronger.
Early Morning Alpacas
& Repeat Clients
One morning started at 6:30am — early for me — heading out with two alpacas for a house visit.
We spent about 20 minutes in the family’s entryway. The kids loved it. Honestly, I think the mom loved it even more.
They’ve hired us multiple times now.
That’s one of the most encouraging parts of this business. When families invite us back into their homes again and again, it means we created something memorable. In the world of agritourism in Northeast Ohio, repeat bookings matter.
Growing the Team:
Volunteers & Leadership
We trained a new volunteer this week, and one of our experienced team members led the process. The feedback was great.
Later in the week, new volunteers handled evening chores for the first time and absolutely crushed it, with support nearby if needed.
Seeing our team grow in both size and leadership is one of the most rewarding parts of building Pure Passions Farm.
The farm runs smoothly because people care — about the animals, about the guests, and about doing things well.
Beer Steer Weddings & Expanding Partnerships
Ash — our Beer Steer — made another appearance at Highlands Event Center in Hudson. One of our team members had her first Beer Steer experience and loved it.
Wedding season is right around the corner, and we’re excited to share Ash with many more couples this year.
We also continued successful events with All Fired Up and finalized plans with Ignite Brewing Company in Barberton (and potentially Brunswick) for recurring cow Paint & Sip events.
We’ve worked with breweries before, but this could become our first consistent, ongoing brewery partnership — which is a big step forward.
Community partnerships are becoming a key driver of growth for our farm experiences in Northeast Ohio.
Logistics: Vans, Jeep Wranglers
& Making It Work
Behind every successful event is a logistical puzzle.
One of our farm vans has been in the shop longer than we’ve owned it. That meant loading animals into our Jeep Wrangler — which works in a pinch, but isn’t ideal. It’s high off the ground and tight on space.
This week alone we transported:
- One baby cow and two goats for one visit
- Two alpacas for another
It’s not perfect, but we make it work.
We also experimented with cow “booties” (technically dog boots) to improve traction for indoor events with slick floors. The first pairs didn’t fit — so we’re returning them and trying again. Continuous improvement is part of operating professionally.
Thankfully, we did get one cargo van back from the repair shop, and it immediately returned to service.
$4,000 in Hay & 450 Bales Later
Hay delivery day arrived.
450 bales.
$4,000.
1.5 hours to stack it.
The delivery crew brought extra help, and with volunteers and staff, we had seven people moving fast and knocking it out efficiently.
It’s physical work. It’s not glamorous.
But winter feed is essential.
That hay represents security — making sure our animals are cared for no matter what the weather does.
Kent State Film Students on the Farm
Students from Kent State were on the farm filming a movie project this week. It’s always interesting to see our property and animals through someone else’s creative lens.
We’re excited to see what they produce.
Mooovie Night & Booking Realities
One week our MOOvie Night sold out with 46 guests and a 15-person waiting list.
The next week? 13 guests.
Still a great group. Still meaningful. But it’s a reminder that bookings fluctuate. Momentum helps — but consistency, partnerships, and operational excellence matter even more.
In agritourism, you build for the long game.
Why Saturdays Fuel the Farm
Here’s a reality most people don’t see:
We generate over one-third of our total 7-day weekly revenue on Saturdays alone.
That means Saturdays matter — a lot.
This past Saturday included:
- Two team members and two cows in Pennsylvania for a 9-hour booking (both days)
- Goat yoga
- Birthday parties
- Private tours
- Multiple animal visits to homes and businesses
There are a lot of moving parts — animals, vehicles, staff schedules, equipment, weather variables.
Because of our team, I was still able to step away briefly to attend
a princess party and a birthday party with my kids.
That balance matters.
Building a family-run farm in Kent, Ohio means building it in a way
that still protects family moments.
Improving the Store &
Working Smarter
We also reconfigured our farm store to create a dedicated office space and expanded register area.
Even though we used about 20% more of the store for this office setup, the space actually feels bigger. It’s amazing how intentional layout changes can transform functionality.
The new setup will:
- Improve booking efficiency
- Streamline accounting
- Give staff more workspace
- Add needed storage
Operational improvements like this aren’t flashy —
but they make long-term growth possible.
The Bigger Picture
This week wasn’t just busy.
It was:
- Repeat clients
- Strong partnerships
- Team leadership growth
- 450 bales stacked
- Vehicles shuffled
- Systems refined
- Packed Saturdays executed
Agritourism in Northeast Ohio is growing, and we’re grateful to be part of that momentum.
If you’re looking for:
- Private farm tours in Kent, Ohio
- Cow cuddles with micro mini Highland calves
- Goat yoga
- Mobile farm experiences for weddings, breweries, schools, or businesses
We’d love to welcome you.
We’ll be stacking hay, loading alpacas, refining systems —
and continuing to build something meaningful, one Saturday at a time.
