NEW PARIS, Ohio – About 200 head of elk, counting the babies, roam the land at Quiet Harmony Ranch. Dave and Pam Flory have been raising the critters and selling their products since 2015. They offer the public an opportunity to see these beautiful, graceful animals while enjoying agri-tourism activities on the ranch.

Their vision is to embrace truth, discover opportunity and encourage participation, Dave Flory said. Their mission is to produce unique farm products, pass learning to others, and point to the Provider.

“We view our elk as a farm animal and raise elk for antler products, meat, wildlife reintroduction, and breeding stock sales,” Flory said.

Antler products include velvet antler for medicinal use and hard antler for decor, dog chews, and antler pieces for making trinkets like whistles and knife handles.

Male elk grow one set of antlers each year. The growth begins in the spring and some elk will grow more than 500 inches of antler by fall. It becomes hard like bone and stays on through the fall and winter. The antler is shed (falls off) in early spring as new antler starts to grow again.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture monitors the herd health status. The ranch sells elk meat raised on the farm using non-GMO feeds, and the animals are not fed antibiotics. They also offer meat sticks and jerky.

The elk roam on 100 of the 185 acres on the ranch, Flory said. They are somewhat domesticated, as they are used to being penned up. However, the females are dangerous to be around when they have a baby, and the males are dangerous during the rut.

The ranch is open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays, June through October. Visitors can start at the Welcome Center and Trading Post. They can drive their cars to see the animals on the Elk Adventure Drive Through tour.

The Discovery Trails provide a walk through the woods complete with signage full of elk facts, particularly about elk in Ohio (they were native to the state but were over-hunted and were extirpated by 1840).

Tailspin Slopes, Basketball Gusto, Intelli-Maze, the Elk Park Action playground are other activities for families at the ranch. A visit to the Food Cabin is an added attraction, with ranch-made food, cold drinks, and ice cream. The ranch team works to provide a great experience.

There is much to learn at Quiet Harmony Ranch, Flory said. 

“Nature is a great teacher if we can become quiet enough to observe and listen, contemplative enough to see and hear,” he explained. We hope our guests enjoy their visit and leave with something valuable, worthwhile and sustaining.”

For information, visit www.quietharmonyranch.com.