Member Spotlight: Purplebrown Farmstead

Originally published in the Winter 2026 edition of the OEFFA newsletter.

In 1999, the Countryside Initiative began the important work of re-establishing working farms within Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP). Its mission was to manage and enhance the natural and cultural resources of this unique landscape along the Cuyahoga River corridor between Akron and Cleveland. These farms would demonstrate that agriculture—when done thoughtfully—can be a meaningful tool for ecological restoration, education, and community connection.

In response to a request for proposals, Sasha and James Miller submitted an ambitious business plan rooted in permaculture and organic production. In 2016, they were awarded the opportunity to bring their vision to life: to demonstrate the positive economic, social, and environmental impacts of a diversified permaculture farm operation within the park.

Sasha’s path to farming was shaped by both academic study and lived experience. While attending Denison University, she lived at The Homestead, a student-run intentional community, and deepened her connection to nature and her understanding of globalization and economic, political, and cultural development. She went on to earn a Master’s degree in public administration with a focus on economic development, worked and studied abroad, and honed her professional commitment to creating local solutions for a more equitable global future.

For Sasha, organic food and sustainable farming became the place where these values converged. Attending OEFFA conferences and engaging with Ohio’s organic farming community helped solidify the vision for what would come next.

In 2016, Sasha and Jimmy, along with their two sons, began calling Purplebrown Farmstead home. Today, the diversified food orchard reflects nearly a decade of learning, experimentation, and refinement. The land has supported pastured pigs and poultry, with plans for sheep and goats in the future. Shiitake mushroom logs, beehives, and an ever-growing number of perennial crops are thoughtfully integrated throughout the farm (Sasha’s advice to other farmers: grow more asparagus). Guided by permaculture principles, crops are planted on contour, and swales and berms help slow, hold, and distribute water—protecting soil health while naturally irrigating crops below. Sasha’s goal is steady, intentional growth, expanding the farm’s productivity and resilience a little each season.

Adaptation and evolution have been hallmarks of Purplebrown Farmstead from the beginning. Sasha initially sold food through a farmers’ market, a CSA, a small farm stand, and a handful of wholesale accounts, while also hosting tours and workshops to educate the community. In 2020, the market disruptions caused by the pandemic created both challenges and opportunities. What began as a modest farm stand grew into a community hub, serving more than a dozen local farmers and many loyal shoppers—despite operating out of an old barn that was far from ideal.

Serendipity struck when a historic freight depot became available for rent in the nearby village of Peninsula, right in the heart of CVNP, alongside the river and train depot. The Millers took a leap, and Purplebrown Farm Store opened in October 2021 with products from more than 30 local producers. The store quickly gained momentum, growing to feature goods from 60 producers within a 60-mile radius. Today, Purplebrown Farm Store supports more than 100 producers—nearly all based in Northeast Ohio—many of whom share a commitment to organic, regenerative, and sustainable practices.

“Local food doesn’t just have to be on an end cap,” Sasha shared as we sipped coffee in a sunny window at the Farm Store, where local food truly takes center stage. Carefully curated like a museum or gift shop, the store reimagines the grocery experience for residents while educating the many visitors to CVNP, one of the most popular national parks in the U.S. It offers a complete grocery experience—produce, dairy, meat, pantry staples, and more—featuring only the best of locally and responsibly produced foods.

Sasha’s goal for Purplebrown Farm Store is accessibility: for the many locavores in Northeast Ohio, who can’t make it to a farmers’ market every week or travel between the many farm stands in the area , and for producers who benefit from expanded, reliable market opportunities. Approaching the business as a farmer herself, Sasha prioritizes vendor success through practices like flexible delivery windows and paying farmers significantly higher margins than conventional retail.

“Nothing makes me happier than placing large orders and giving local producers new income streams,” Sasha said as we walked through the shop, pointing out many farmers active in OEFFA’s community.

To elevate these producers and strengthen local food literacy, Purplebrown Farm Store regularly hosts events that bring farmers and eaters together. These include intimate fireside chats where vendors share their stories, quarterly knife-sharpening events, and educational gatherings like charcuterie demonstrations featuring local meat, cheese, and cracker producers.

For eaters seeking both local food and convenience, the Farm Store has also introduced thoughtfully curated weekly produce bundles. Available in two sizes, each bundle includes products from two to six growers and highlights seasonal best-sellers. Offered each season with flexible ordering and pickup windows, the bundles are discounted for customers who purchase all 12 at once. Thanks to Produce Perks, SNAP recipients can purchase these bundles at half price—helping ensure that organic, local food remains accessible to more families.

As Sasha reflected during our conversation, “good ideas stand the test of time.” Purplebrown Farm Store is one of those ideas—for farmers, eaters, the environment, and the local economy. And it’s easy to imagine it continuing to thrive for years to come.

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Next time you visit CVNP, be sure to stop by the Farm Store. Local producers interested in vendor opportunities can learn more at purplebrownfarmstore.com.

Are you an OEFFA member with a food or farm story to share? Contact newsletter@oeffa.org for a chance to be featured!