Kristen’s Farming Story

Born and raised near Zanesville, Ohio, Kristen Baughman has been been involved in produce farming since age 13. Starting out as a “farm hand” for family friends, a job which took her all the way through high school and college, she eventually started her own farm that has grown over the last decade into Curly Girl Farm. Curly Girl Farm is a three acre growing operation located along the Muskingum River, adjacent to the historic homestead where Kristen’s family has lived for three generations. In February 2021, Kristen married Douglas Yeary II, owner of Yeary’s Orchard in Adamsville, OH. The orchard, established by his father Douglas Yeary I in 1962, grows about 100 acres of apples in northern Muskingum County. Kristen will continue to farm on the three acres along the river and has expanded her vegetable operation to include another three acres at the orchard. Fresh peaches (starting mid-July) and apples and cider (starting in late August) are available for purchase at the orchard as well as Kristen’s roadside stand in Zanesville.

What We Offer

Curly Girl Farm offers a wide range of naturally grown vegetables and flowers, available at local farmers markets and the roadside farm stand. At her roadside stand, located on Route 40 East of downtown Zanesville, Kristen partners with other local farmers to fill in any gaps in product, so that she maintains a wide array of vegetables and fruit. For example, she sells peaches and apples from Yeary’s Orchard in Adamsville, OH in order to provide her customers with high quality local fruit (FYI—the fruit is conventionally grown).

Heirloom tomatoes, leafy greens, green beans, cucumbers, zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, and sweet corn are just a few of the main season crops that are standards at Curly Girl Farm. The selection continues through the fall with a wide variety of winter squash like spaghetti, butternut, acorn, and other tasty heirloom squashes. You’ll find all of your fall decorations including pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, and even bittersweet vines.

Fresh flower bouquets are available every week at farmers market starting in July, featuring favorites such as sunflowers, zinnias, dahlias, and celosia. During peak season, customers can attend ever popular “cut your own” flower events at Curly Girl Farm, where they not only get to experience the beauty of the flower patch, but are also treated to fresh “in season” appetizers prepared by Farmer Kristen. Restaurants or florists who are interested in ordering wholesale should contact Kristen for a price list.

More Than Just Curly Girl Farm

Kristen has a passion for her roots and wants to see her hometown and it’s inhabitants thrive. In addition to providing her community with opportunities to buy fresh, local produce, Kristen helped establish a program called Urban Greens. This is a project of the Muskingum Soil & Water Conservation District dedicated to growing urban agriculture in Muskingum County. Urban Greens has created several new community gardens in Zanesville and also provides residents with agriculture education opportunities. Anyone interested in participating in community gardening or volunteering in Urban Greens programs should contact Kristen or Muskingum Soil & Water.