Nelson Twp. – The Bonner family has its roots in farming; patriarch Richard Bonner having been raised on the family farm in Auburn Township. On that farm, they raised cows, pigs and hay and farmed a total of 600 acres. Over the years, Bonner Farms has expanded in Geauga and Portage Counties. In 2020 they expanded to 3,000 acres, which includes 400 acres of pasture in Tucker County West Virginia.
Each year, Bonner Farms raises an estimated 1,000 head of cattle, processing over 1,000,000 pounds of beef annually. This “cowculus” results in the premium quality, locally raised beef now showcased at Bonner Farms Beef & Market (pictured at right).
Shop owner Rae Lynn Bonner explained the difference: “We grow everything the cattle eat and raise them ourselves.” She went on to explain that the team then hand-select the best animals to butcher, dry age, and custom cut for the shop, providing what they feel is a difference you can taste. But don’t take their word for it — check them out yourself.
The Market offers a wide selection of fresh cuts and a wide variety of vacuum-sealed, frozen products including ground beef, steaks, roasts, and stew beef. They also provide customers with the opportunity to talk with butchers for specific cuts; special orders are available as well.
And just in time for Labor Day grilling, they’ve got Burger and Beef Bundles that includes beef patties, ground beef, T-bone, strip, and ribeye steaks, tip roasts. Bags can be ordered online at bonnerfarmsbeef.com or picked up in the store. The shop features other local farms and businesses as well. They stock locally raised pork and Gerber chicken products as well as local milk and cheeses, jams, sauces, bread and noodles.
Bonner Farms Beef & Market is open Monday through Saturday, closed on Sundays. They’re located at 12428 State Route 88 in Garrettsville; call (330) 527-3444 for store hours or for more information.
