Beauty, nature wrapped together: Roman R. Farms offers visitors opportunity to take some of that beauty home

By Thomas Clapper

CCM Reporter

For the Zimmerman family of Roman R. Farms in Sherrodsville, bringing beauty and nature to Sunset Valley is the goal of its sunflower and wildflowerfields. 

Brian, Jill and Carter Zimmerman are the owners of Roman R. Farms and purchased the land in 2021. 

“Our goal was to bring something beautiful to Sunset Valley,” said Carter Zimmerman. “We wanted people to come and enjoy beauty and nature.”

Carter is a fourth-generation farmer and currently a senior at The Ohio State University majoring in logistics, operation management with a minor in agriculture business. His father, Brian, is the CEO of Cleveland Metroparks. The family resides in Strongsville. 

Jill Zimmerman explained the family is originally from Wisconsin and moved to Ohio in 2010. The entire family has a farming background. 

“Coincidentally mine and Brian’s maternal great-grandparents were named Roman and Clara,” explained Jill. “Our son, Carter’s middle name is Roman and there is a wordplay Roman R. Farms sounds like “Roaming Our Farms” when said together. That’s what the name Roman comes from and it ties all three families together going back generations of farmers.”

The land which currently has a large red barn and a large fenced in field of flowers was nothing but an overgrown grove of thistles and poison ivy. 

“It was not conducive to growing flowers,” said Carter. “We spent a lot of time clearing the land. Dad had to get shots he had so much poison ivy. It took us all of 2021 and we still were not even sure if flowers would grow in this soil.”

After clearing the land, the 2022 growing season was the moment of truth to see if things would grow. 

“The first year was trial and error and we just planted sunflowers,” said Jill. “The second year we had a vision of incorporating more varieties of flowers.”

“We were so happy when the first sunflower grew,” said Carter. “We knew the land was productive.”

Each year more plants and flowers are introduced to the land. So far, 2024 is the year of growth with the growing area expanded to double in size.

The farm has one employee, family friend Julie Shepard. Shepard harvests flowers, makes bouquets, experiments with crafts and wears many other hats at Roman R. Farms.

The flower picking and bouquet making business started out by word of mouth and the Zimmerman’s developed relationships in the community. The family says one big boost was when the flower farm was featured on Fox 8 News in the “One Tank Trip” segment.

“Being on Fox 8 really got our name out there,” said Carter. “We had people coming all the way from Amherst to visit us. Carroll County is a special place with places like Atwood Lake and just the surrounding nature,” said Carter.

Flowers being grown are sunflowers, zinnia, dahlia, wildflowers, perennials, status, celosia and more. Each has several varieties. The family explained the next opportunity for growth is for flower fillers. Each plant is watered by hand and there are collection barrels that collect rain used to hose and water them.

Visitors are invited to come out and cut their own bouquets or can order them and get them delivered. Dried flowers are available to make things with.

Those who would like to come pick at the farm, costs range from small jars, $12; medium jars, $15; and large jars/vases, $18. Visitors may bring their own vases and jars and prices will be determined by container. Custom bouquets range $15-$20.

“Each year is growth, we like to say flowers grow, and we try to grow with them” said Carter. “We gauge people’s needs and know what to plant the next year.”

Recently Roman R. Farms has been hosting a garden club and other groups, including an upcoming wedding in October. They partnered with Shops on Second in Carrollton for a “Love of Sunflower” event in the community. Photographers have used the land for senior pictures, wedding pictures and other occasions. 

Jill said they would like to start having fall events and have planted Indian corn, gourds, pumpkins and other fall plants. There will be parties where people can make their own nests out of gourds and other art projects.

“We are a family business, and we love seeing families come enjoy it,” said Jill. They will host private events, garden clubs or anyone who would like to come and enjoy the flowers and nature.

“The most rewarding part for us is getting to meet people and sharing something beautiful with them,” said Carter. “It is peaceful. I think people can come here and relax. We try to give you something that will brighten up your day.”

“We have had people say they could stay all day here with us and people just sit and talk with us in the nature setting.” said Jill. “We hope to keep having people come out and enjoy it.” 

Roman R. Farms is open on Saturday and Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or by appointment. For appointment send a message on Facebook or call 216-347-7829.