Stratford Ecological Center

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Stratford Ecological Center Educational Farm and Nature Preserve - "Fostering an Appreciation for the Land"
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“You can control what’s in your food.”Last Saturday, our dear friend and dedicated volunteer, Kim Rosenberg shared her p...
10/20/2026

“You can control what’s in your food.”

Last Saturday, our dear friend and dedicated volunteer, Kim Rosenberg shared her passion for food preservation, drawing on over 20 years of canning experience to teach attendees the ins and outs of preserving food at home.

Participants chopped cucumbers and carrots, practiced water bath and pressure canning, and sampled dehydrated snacks and freeze-dried treats along the way. In about 20 minutes, they watched their sliced cucumbers transform into jars of homemade pickles.🥒🥕

Kim shared how canning can be a great way to make the most of your garden harvest, stock your pantry for the winter, and enjoy more variety in your diet.

Special thanks to Kim for sharing her wealth of knowledge and skills with our participants! Attendees left with new skills and canned goods of their own, ready to transform their pantry into a “cantry” at home!

✨ At Stratford, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to build this connection. One inspired child at a time...
10/16/2026

✨ At Stratford, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to build this connection. One inspired child at a time, we’re working toward a future where backyard gardens are accessible, small family farms thrive, and no person goes hungry.
 
As we reflect on this year’s World Food Day theme of “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow,” we’re thinking about the next generation of innovators, educators, and farmers who will help shape the future of our food system.
 
Today, we celebrate and thank our volunteers, educators, animals, and plants for all they give us. Our goal, today and every day, is to share not only our food, but also our knowledge, in hopes of helping every visitor feel more connected to the land we live on, the animals we care for, the food we eat, and each other.
 
When we sip our apple c***r, pressed with the helping hands of hundreds of bright eyed children and dozens of dedicated volunteers, we remember that it takes a village to bring food to our tables. We thank the bees for pollinating the blossoms, the trees for growing delicious apples, and the chickens for helping manage pests.
 
Because once we connect and understand where our food comes from, who grows it, and how it reaches us, there’s no turning back. It’s impossible to look away from the challenges so many face in accessing fresh, nutritious food. Rising grocery costs and inequities in food access remind us that a healthy food system is one that nourishes everyone.
 
Here at Stratford, we are grateful to experience this process from start to finish; to grow organic greens and grains, raise grass-fed animals, and gather multicolor eggs, and to harvest with our own hands. Each seed planted and animal cared for is an opportunity for growth, learning, and connection.
 
Happy World Food Day from our farm family to yours! 🌎 🥕 💞

We’re looking forward to another Second Saturday at Stratford tomorrow!These Saturdays have become such a wonderful time...
10/09/2026

We’re looking forward to another Second Saturday at Stratford tomorrow!

These Saturdays have become such a wonderful time to come together, spend time on the land, and enjoy the community that makes this place so special.

Tomorrow, we’ve got garden volunteering, family farm chores with our Land & Agriculture team, and New Volunteer Orientation. Or just come out and enjoy the farm! We’re open from 9 AM–1 PM.

You can find all the details on our website for each adventure tomorrow, Saturday, October 10th!

We’re pretty lucky to have this special piece of the earth to care for together, and even luckier to have a community that believes places like Stratford matter.

Hope to see you tomorrow!

Our staff, volunteers, and scarecrows are so excited to welcome you to Harvest Fair tomorrow!! Didn’t have time to pre-r...
10/02/2026

Our staff, volunteers, and scarecrows are so excited to welcome you to Harvest Fair tomorrow!! Didn’t have time to pre-register? No worries! Walk-ins are welcome! It’s going to be a beautiful fall day with tons of hands on activities for kids and adults alike! We’ll also have a variety of community partners, vendors, and food trucks to connect with! We’ll see you tomorrow from 10am - 2pm for all the fall magic! 🍂🐮🐑🍎🐓🌾🚜🐐💚😋

🍂 HARVEST FAIR IS ALMOST HERE! 🍂On Saturday, October 3, from 10 AM–2 PM, come spend the day enjoying the sights, sounds,...
09/28/2026

🍂 HARVEST FAIR IS ALMOST HERE! 🍂
On Saturday, October 3, from 10 AM–2 PM, come spend the day enjoying the sights, sounds, and simple joys of fall on the farm.

🚜 A DAY AT STRATFORD
Try your hand at making c***r using our historic apple press, visit with the animals, walk our pollinator-themed Story Book Trail, cast a line down at the pond, and enjoy plenty of other fall activities throughout the farm.

You’ll also find local makers, organizations, food and drink vendors, and community partners sharing their talents and offerings throughout the day. There will be plenty to explore, taste, discover, and enjoy!

🌾 PLAN YOUR VISIT
Harvest Fair is a rain-or-shine event, so dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes and clothes that can handle a little mud and adventure. Bring the family, invite a friend, and come ready to enjoy a fall day at Stratford.

🍂 WALK-INS ARE WELCOME!
Pre-registration is encouraged and helps us prepare for the day and keep check-in moving smoothly, but you’re always welcome to join us when you arrive.

https://stratfordecologicalcenter.org/fall/

We’re looking forward to celebrating the season with you! 🍎

🍂 WE’RE GEARING UP FOR HARVEST FAIR!We’re stringing fishing poles, getting ready for corn shelling, preparing the farm, ...
09/15/2026

🍂 WE’RE GEARING UP FOR HARVEST FAIR!
We’re stringing fishing poles, getting ready for corn shelling, preparing the farm, and putting the finishing touches on a fall day we can’t wait to share with you!
Join us Saturday, October 3 from 10 AM–2 PM for Harvest Fair at Stratford. It’s a day to celebrate the season, explore the farm, and enjoy some good old-fashioned fall fun with family and friends.

🚜 ACTIVITIES PLANNED
Wagon Rides
Fishing
Corn Shelling and Grinding
Animal Visits
Apple C***r Pressing
And more fun fall activities!

We’re also excited to welcome a wonderful group of community partners who will be joining us throughout the day. From local organizations and makers to food and drink vendors, they’re helping make Harvest Fair a special day for our whole community.

🧡 A BIG THANK-YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Beanbag Books
Cake Pop King
Caked By Amanda’s Cakery
Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Delaware County District Library
Delaware County Ohio Master Gardener Association
Delaware Brewing Company
GOAT LOCAL
Grounds For Celebration
Oh My Garling with Aidan Garling
One More Bite Bakery
Seminary Hill Farm
Simply Living
Stratford Herb Study Group
Stratford’s Apiary Team
Tanglewood Crafts
The Local Grind
Tortilla Street Food
Tri-Township Fire District

We’re so grateful to each of these organizations, businesses, vendors, and volunteer teams for bringing their time, talents, and enthusiasm to the farm.

🌾 WHAT TO WEAR & BRING
Dress for the weather and barnyard activities. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that can get dirty – after all, that’s half the fun! Baby carriers are highly recommended over strollers for those with little legs that might get tired as strollers can be difficult to navigate across various terrains around the farm.

🍂 WALK-INS ARE WELCOME!
No pre-registration? No problem. Come join us!
Pre-registration helps us prepare for the day and makes check-in a little faster when you arrive, but walk-ins are always welcome.

Pre-register here: https://stratfordecologicalcenter.org/fall

We can’t wait to welcome you to the farm, celebrate the season, and enjoy a day of fall fun together! 🍎

What a beautiful night it is to celebrate our mission. We feel so lucky to have such an incredible community of supporte...
08/28/2026

What a beautiful night it is to celebrate our mission. We feel so lucky to have such an incredible community of supporters come together to fuel our mission.

If you’re unable to be with us in person tonight, you can still support from afar by bidding remotely online. But be fast to get your bids in! The auction closes at 7:30pm sharp!!

Check out all the incredible packages here: https://e.givesmart.com/events/OiR/i/

Tomorrow, we light the way.As we get ready for Stratford’s Give to Grow Gala, we’re reminded that the work we celebrate ...
08/27/2026

Tomorrow, we light the way.

As we get ready for Stratford’s Give to Grow Gala, we’re reminded that the work we celebrate tomorrow happens here at Stratford all year long and it happens because of the incredible people who believe in our mission.

Today, we’re harvesting flowers planted this summer by our Farm Camp kids. What started as seeds in the soil became an opportunity for children to get their hands dirty, experience the wonder of growing something themselves, and build a deeper connection to the natural world. Now, those flowers will be part of tomorrow evening’s celebration. Tomorrow, we will answer the question, "What happens when children have a chance to fall in love with the Earth?"

This year’s theme, light the way, is a beautiful reminder of what you make possible. Your support helps light the way for the next generation of stewards, inspiring educators, future change makers, lifelong learners, and connected communities who will continue to spark curiosity, explore new discoveries, and deepen their appreciation for the natural world for years to come.

A heartfelt thank you to our Give to Grow sponsors for helping light the way and support Stratford’s work all year long:
Columbus Laser & Cataract Center
Erin & Bart Gliatta
Linda & Joe Diamond
Suzi Pfening
The Gosnell Family
The Patterson Family
Peggy & John Krieger
Jill & Al Blyth
Taft
Hull Penza Wealth Advisors of Raymond James
The Pirtle Family
Margaret & Louis Iverson
Kristen Hammer
First Commonwealth Bank
Anki & Kent Larsson
Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
Dr. Bernie & Susan Master
Great West Electric
Kim & Gary Rosenberg
Jim Snyders
Diane & Tom Karbler
Pete Wilms & Shirley Wilhelm
Jerry Stanley

We can’t wait to celebrate with you tomorrow!
Learn more about the event here: https://e.givesmart.com/events/OiR/

🌱 Help Us Grow the Stratford Team! The heart of Stratford has always been our incredible community. As we continue to gr...
07/22/2026

🌱 Help Us Grow the Stratford Team!
 
The heart of Stratford has always been our incredible community. As we continue to grow, we’re looking for passionate people to join our team!
 
If you think someone in your network would be a great fit, please tag them, share this post, or send it their way. Or maybe that someone is you! If so, we invite you so apply. Together, we can continue growing a community rooted in nature, education, and connection. 💚
 
You can read full job descriptions for each opportunity on our website here: www.stratfordecologicalcenter.org/work-with-us

Another unforgettable week of summer at Stratford! We kicked off our first week of Farm Camp with our 4th–7th grade camp...
07/14/2026

Another unforgettable week of summer at Stratford!

We kicked off our first week of Farm Camp with our 4th–7th grade campers, welcomed an amazing group of Teen Camp participants, and celebrated our very first overnight camp of the summer! From exploring the farm and caring for animals to making memories under the stars, it was a week full of adventure, learning, and fun.

Our incredible volunteers continued to make the magic happen, lending a helping hand around the farm and creating such a special experience for every camper. We are so grateful for your time, energy, and heart!

Teen Camp also got to experience a day in the life of our agriculture team by helping bale hay, and our campers showed what it means to care for their community by donating an incredible 120 pounds of nonperishable food to People in Need (PIN)!

Thank you to everyone who made this week one to remember. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the summer has in store!

Address

3083 Liberty Road
Delaware, OH
43015

Telephone

+17403632548

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