CLERMONT COUNTY, Ohio – The best opportunities often appear unexpectedly. In summer 2024, Nate Parriman was flipping through a magazine when he spotted a notice for the Growing Tomorrow Grant. Established by Mike and Patti Boyert in partnership with the Ohio Farm Bureau, the grant aimed to support young agricultural professionals in Ohio launching or expanding innovative, sustainable businesses.

“They were explaining the grant, and I was thinking, ‘We need something like this – we should try for it,’” Nate recalled. Despite discovering the opportunity close to the July 31 deadline, Nate and his wife, Jill, committed to the extensive application process, which required a project plan, a video introduction and financial documentation.

The hard work paid off. The Parrimans were awarded the $100,000 Growing Tomorrow Grant for 2025, providing the essential capital needed to transform their 24-acre Clermont County property into a thriving hub for regenerative agriculture. “The effort was definitely worth it,” Jill said.

The Parrimans are transitioning their acreage from a traditional dairy and soybean operation to a diversified, regenerative specialty crop farm, moving away from conventional farming and pesticides. “We are completely ‘no spray’ and trying to be as organic as possible,” Nate said.

This shift has led them toward regenerative permaculture, focusing on high-engagement crops like Christmas trees. Their long-term core goal is to plant 1 acre per year – approximately 1,200 to 1,300 trees – with a plan to eventually reach 8 total acres. Specialty crops like pumpkins and cut flowers provide interim income while the trees mature over their six- to eight-year growth cycle. Additionally, a “you-cut” model for wildflowers and pumpkins reduces labor while inviting the community onto the land.

“Instead of renting to farmers who were going to spray, we decided to plant our own specialty crops,” Nate said.

In addition, Nate and Jill use their Clover Valley Farm as a picturesque location for professional photography. “We’re planting crops and flowers that photographers are using as a backdrop,” Jill said. Specifically, they focus on two seasonal attractions for these sessions: wildflowers and pumpkins. Nate recently planted a patch of wildflowers designed to enhance the farm’s aesthetic appeal.

The entire $100,000 grant is dedicated to renovating an old dairy barn, transforming it into a vibrant community hub for local events, educational workshops, and agricultural outreach activities. To meet modern building codes, the structure requires a new roof and extensive engineering work, including structural reinforcements and updated electrical systems. “It’s looking like it’s going to take every penny,” Nate said.

Under the terms of the grant, the project must be completed within a year, making for a fast-paced transformation. Once finished, the barn will serve as the center of the farm’s educational and community outreach vision.

To transform the farm into an appealing destination, Jill plans to use the renovated barn as a venue for seasonal workshops and skill-based gatherings. “Events like flower bouquet building, where visitors don’t just pick flowers, but come inside to pick their vase and spend time with their friends or their kids, while learning to professionally arrange their stems,” she said. As the seasons shift, the focus will turn toward Christmas-themed activities, including wreath making and holiday crafts, potentially even hosting a Santa to create a festive destination for local families.

Educational and youth programming will also occur in the barn, providing a dedicated space for learning and development. Nate hopes to host field trips from local schools and organizations like the local Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts for team building and agricultural education. “These programs would teach the life cycle of a pumpkin or the flowers, allowing children to move from the classroom setting of the barn directly into the fields to help us plant or help us cut flowers for a true hands-on experience,” he said.

Beyond public events, the couple plans to establish the farm as a professional resource by hosting conferences and workshops that focus on innovative agricultural practices. They intend to host presentations focused on regenerative techniques, providing a space for both conventional and organic farmers to discuss non-traditional methods. Nate also expressed a desire to support industry peers. “It would be neat to host the summer meeting of the Ohio Christmas Tree Association one day,” he said.

What makes their endeavor even more challenging is their “day job” – both Nate and Jill are physical therapists. With Nate working full-time and Jill part-time, the farm is a true family labor of love.

“We do a lot of it as a family. That’s how we spend our evenings and weekends,” Jill said. While the kids enjoy playing in the mud and the extended family pitches in during peak seasons, the couple uses creative strategies to keep operations manageable.

Nate and Jill’s passion for agriculture is rooted in their background within rural farming communities. Jill’s connection to the land comes from her uncle and grandfather, who were both farmers. “That gave me an appreciation of growing things,” she said.

Nate’s interest came from his experience at a greenhouse and nursery throughout high school and college. During a winter break, he discovered his specific calling. “I helped sell pre-cut Christmas trees, and I just really enjoyed it,” he said. “It’s a fun time of year; everybody’s all happy to get the Christmas tree.”