Welcome to The Chesterhill Produce Auction
The Chesterhill Produce Auction is a social enterprise and local food hub owned and operated by Rural Action.
We sell and distribute fresh, local produce throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley.
We are supported by members of Rural Action’s Sustainable Agriculture program, local growers, volunteers, and dedicated local residents.
Produce auctions are held at 4 PM every Monday and Thursday, May through October, as well as several specialty auctions and consignment auctions.
The gross sales for 2019 were $374,062, which is a 22.6% increase from 2018.
Taxes paid in 2019 were $6,856.
The gross sales for 2019 were $374,062, which is a 22.6% increase from 2018.
Taxes paid in 2019 were $6,856.
The gross sales for 2019 were $374,062, which is a 22.6% increase from 2018.
Taxes paid in 2019 were $6,856
The gross sales for 2021 were $385,273.33, which is a 3% increase from 2020.
The total from items sold in the CPA store in 2021 was $12,446.45, which is a 9% increase from 2020.
The auction had 53 more sellers in 2021, which is a 34% increase from 2020.
The auction had 184 more buyers in 2021, which is a 20% increase from 2020.
The Ohio River Basin is an agriculturally
rich area with a long growing season
and temperate climate. Most of our
growers operate small diversified farms
or grow niche crops for market. Each
year we offer nearly a hundred varieties
of fruits, vegetables, and herbs from
May through October.
Produce
Bulk Lots
Customers looking to buy multiple boxes at a time are in luck! We offer a bulk lot side to our auctions. Produce is sold in quantities of 3 or more packages. This is especially helpful to our big buyers looking to fill their stores and markets.
Small Lots
Community members gather at the small lot auctions to bid on single packaged produce. Offering a small lot is beneficial to those customers looking to purchase produce for home consumption. The small lots kick off at our Independence Day potluck every year when produce is starting to become plentiful.
Flowers & Garden Stock
In the spring you can expect to find hanging baskets, bedding plants, flowers, vegetables and herb plants, flower bulbs, and fruit trees for sale at the CPA.
Both annuals and perennials can be found at the auction.
In the fall, hardy flowers such as mums are available, as well as decorative corn, gourds, and pumpkins.
Wood Products
Our Saturday auctions feature local handcrafted wood products and furniture with live edge finishes and character wood. Staple items include cedar Adirondack chairs and rockers, live edge tables and benches, rolling pins, cutting boards, porch swings, crates, bent willow stands, hickory rockers, picnic tables, sheds and cabins, lumber, and so much more!
Livestock
Livestock sales are held during all of our Saturday auctions, starting at 12:30 p.m. We have a 1,600-square-foot pole barn specifically for livestock auctions.
We only accept fowl, swine, rabbits, goats, sheep, cows and equine. The sale of pets or exotic animal is not permitted. We follow all current and upcoming Ohio Department of Agriculture regulations around livestock sales and testing. CPA provides an on-site veterinarian before and after each livestock auction to assist sellers in complying with state and federal law.
Incubator Farm
The Incubator Farm program helps beginning farmers start their own sustainable farm businesses from the ground up providing farm plots, educational resources, startup capital, and mentorship. This program is designed for individuals who are serious about starting their own sustainable farm and can participate in this program for 1 to 3 years to get their business off the ground. The 2022 season is starting and accepting applications.
The Cooking Cart
The Cooking Cart is run by Peggy Kennedy, a beloved member of the community. Her homemade food is served during each auction and benefits local kids and churches. Peggy often includes fresh produce from the auction, bought on the spot, in her offerings. Among her specialties are local sausage sandwiches, chicken and noodles, and ham, beans and cornbread. The Cooking Cart also sells hot dogs, sloppy joes, tacos in a bag, chips, and cookies.
The Country Store
The CPA Country Store is full of baked goods, cottage foods, and handcrafted items. You can find cookies, popcorn, pies, specialty breads, jams, honey, maple syrup, shirts, books, handwoven handbags and rugs, straw hats, rolling pings, cutting boards, soaps, and essential oils.
School Day
School Day at the CPA is an educational field trip for local 2nd grade students. The students spend a day at the Chesterhill Produce Auction, and learn about healthy food, local food systems, and environmental sustainability. This event is made possible by CPA farmers, volunteers, and our partners including Live Healthy Appalachia, Community Food Initiatives, and Zero Waste.
Donation Station
Community Food Initiatives (CFI) is a non-profit organization that works to foster a resilient region where everyone has equal access to healthy, local food. Through their Donation Station Program, auction customers can donate produce for CFI to distribute to local food pantries.
In 2019, Donation Station received 46,000 lbs of food from the CPA. On Mondays, the total was 9,000 lbs, while Thursdays the donated total was 15,000 lbs.
Community
When you step onto the auction floor, you step into a community. The Chesterhill Produce Auction draws folks from near and far — from right here in Chesterhill to Athens, Parkersburg, Columbus, Marietta and neighboring states. This diverse community of farmers, local residents, restaurant-owners, college students, food access organizations, young people, and seniors share one thing in common: a love of good food.
Throughout the season we hold potlucks to celebrate holidays, appreciate farmers, and take time to cultivate friendships new and old. We also host an annual Pie Day Auction, in which individuals, local bakeries, and restaurants donate pies to be tasted, voted upon, and auctioned off as a fundraiser.
Chesterhill Harvest Days
Chesterhill Harvest Days opened for the first season in 2022 to provide an affordable, fun, local family event featuring; Horse-Drawn Hay Rides, Corn Maze, Hiking Trail, Yard Games, Photo Props, Corn Pit, Pumpkin Patch, Food and more.
167 kids attended through Field Trips from local schools.