This Ohio Amish Farm Bakery Is A Fry Pie Lover’s Paradise With A Petting Zoo Too
A Belgian horse weighing about 3,000 pounds lives next door to a bakery case full of fry pies. That pairing alone tells you a lot about this Ohio farm stop.
The pies come in half-moon shapes with fruit fillings like apple, cherry, and elderberry. Out back, goats sometimes hang out on a barn roof.
More than 100 farm animals share the grounds with ponies, buggies, and a kettle corn stand.
I like how one stop covers dessert, shopping, and a full kids’ outing in one go. Parents get fresh bread and Amish cheese.
Kids get carrots to hand to a horse bigger than the family minivan.
I can’t imagine a better excuse for a Saturday drive through Ohio Amish Country. So which comes first, the pie or the goats?
A Farm Stop Where Pie And Ponies Share The Same Address
Hershberger’s Farm and Bakery sits in the rolling hills of Holmes County, Ohio, right in the heart of Amish Country. It’s an Amish farm bakery, a market, and a petting farm all bundled together.
Most bakeries stop at the pastry case. Here, the pastry case is just the starting point for an afternoon that can stretch for hours.
The grounds include a bakery, a farm store, a gift shop, and a leather shop. There’s also a food trailer, a kettle corn stand, and an outdoor picnic area for families who pack lunch.
Then come the animals. More than 100 farm residents live in the petting area, from bunnies and ducks to alpacas and miniature cows.
Rides round out the lineup with buggy rides, pony carousel rides, and horseback rides. In fall, pumpkin patch wagon rides join the mix.
For families, that means one parking spot covers breakfast, shopping, animals, and a little adventure. It’s a rare place where grown-ups and kids want to stay equally long.
Think of it as a farm day in miniature, with fry pies as the reward. Few Ohio stops pack this much into a single gravel lot.
The Truck Patch Roots Behind Today’s Busy Farm
Back in 1986, the Hershberger family started selling produce right on this spot. Daniel Hershberger’s father ran it from the family’s 77-acre farm.
The original name was Hershberger’s Truck Patch. That humble label fits a business that began with vegetables, not goats on rooftops.
Over the years, the stand grew into Hershberger’s Farm and Bakery. Baking, animals, rides, and shops all joined the operation.
Family recipes still matter here. The owners describe their baked goods as coming from third-generation recipes, which says plenty about continuity.
That history gives the place a grounded feel. It started as a working farm, and the farm part never disappeared.
Fresh produce still anchors the store today. Seasonal crops show up throughout the year, including sweet corn in summer.
For kids, the story offers a neat lesson in how a small family stand can grow. Parents can point out that every cream stick traces back to a vegetable patch.
It’s a nice bit of background to share on the drive down. Stories land better when there’s a pie waiting at the end.
Fry Pies Are The Reason To Grab A Bag Early
Half-moon shaped, soft, flaky, and often coated in a sugar glaze. Those are the fry pies, and they headline the bakery for good reason.
Fillings include apple, cherry, and elderberry, made without artificial colors. Raisin has turned up in the lineup too.
Elderberry is the one that tends to grab curious eaters. It’s not a flavor every grocery store stocks, so it feels like a true Amish Country find.
Picky kids usually gravitate toward apple or cherry. Those familiar flavors make the fry pie an easy win for the whole back seat.
The handheld shape helps families on the move. No fork needed, and no plate to balance while chasing a toddler toward the goats.
Fry pies also travel well for the ride home. Buying a few extra for later is a smart move, assuming they survive the first mile.
Hershberger’s Farm and Bakery has built a real following around these pies. Among everything on the farm, they come up as one of the most talked-about treats.
Get to the bakery counter first, then plan the rest of your day. Good luck walking past that glaze.
Cream Sticks, Cinnamon Rolls, And A Very Full Bakery Case
Fry pies may get top billing, but the supporting cast is strong. The bakery case holds cream sticks, original donuts, cinnamon rolls, cookies, and muffins.
Breads are baked daily, along with dinner rolls and a range of other pies. Early arrivals can sometimes find loaves still warm in their packages.
Cream sticks deserve a special mention for out-of-town visitors. They’re a classic Amish Country treat, and kids tend to love the filled center.
Cinnamon rolls make an easy breakfast for families who skipped the hotel buffet. Pair one with a donut and the drive suddenly feels shorter.
Bread is the practical buy. A fresh loaf turns into sandwiches all week and stretches the trip’s value well past the weekend.
On busy days, the bakery counter line can get long. Coming earlier in the morning usually makes for an easier visit.
Bringing a cooler is a good idea too. Between cream sticks and pies, the bags fill faster than you planned.
Honestly, picking just one item feels like an unfair test. Most families leave with a sampler, and nobody complains about that strategy.
Over 100 Animals Wait In Holmes County’s Big Petting Area
Goats on a barn roof. That’s the kind of sight that turns a quick snack stop into a two-hour visit.
The petting area is often called the largest and most unique in Holmes County. It houses more than 100 farm animals.
Kids can meet chickens, bunnies, pot-belly pigs, sheep, llamas, alpacas, ducks, and miniature cows. Miniature and full-sized horses live here too.
The star is a Belgian horse weighing about 3,000 pounds. He’s known as King or Big Ben, and he’s very fond of carrots.
Feed is sold on site for hands-on fun. Choices include feed cones, whole carrots, sliced carrots, and bird feed cups.
Baby animals often appear too, from tiny goats to piglets. Some animals can even be held, which makes for great photos.
Admission to the petting area is a small per-person fee, and kids two and under get in free. That keeps it friendly for families with toddlers.
Teens enjoy it as much as little ones. Few ages can resist a goat asking politely for lunch.
Buggy Rides And Ponies Keep Little Legs Busy
Few things feel more Amish Country than a clip-clop ride down a farm lane. Hershberger’s Farm and Bakery offers buggy rides around the property.
For many kids, it’s their first ride behind a real horse. That novelty alone can become the trip’s top memory.
Pony carousel rides suit the smallest riders. The ponies walk in a circle, so younger children can enjoy the saddle safely.
Bigger kids and adults can try horseback rides. Options exist in both smaller and larger horse sizes, so families can match the rider.
Rides are priced separately from the petting area. It’s wise to plan which rides matter most before the kids discover all of them.
Fall adds pumpkin patch wagon rides. Families can also pick their own pumpkins, which pairs perfectly with Ohio foliage season.
Ride availability may depend on weather and season. Checking ahead before a long drive is a smart habit.
Either way, the horses steal the show. Kids who arrived for donuts often leave asking for a pony of their own.
Stock The Pantry With Amish Cheese And Bulk Goods
Jars of jelly, wheels of Amish cheese, bags of noodles. The farm store makes it easy to haul Holmes County flavors home.
Shelves hold homemade jellies, butter, old-fashioned apple cider, and sugar-free jams. Bulk foods and spices fill out the aisles.
Canned goods range from pears to beets. Jerky, meats, and candy also show up, giving everyone something to grab.
Samples are sometimes available, which helps with decisions. It’s a great way to let kids help pick the family’s new favorite jam.
Seasonal produce is a big draw, especially sweet corn in summer. In fall, pumpkins and mums line the space outside.
Bulk shopping can stretch a grocery budget nicely. Amish noodles and soup starters make easy weeknight dinners after the trip.
The store fits the practical side of Ohio road-tripping. You leave with snacks for the ride and staples for the week.
Bring reusable bags and some cooler space. Cheese and cider are much happier on ice during a long summer drive home.
Leather Goods And Wooden Toys Worth Browsing
Handmade leather is a surprise bonus for many visitors. The leather shop sells locally made and in-house crafted goods.
Wallets, tack, and other leather items fill the space. Sometimes shoppers can watch staff crafting pieces right there.
That live craftsmanship makes a fun teaching moment for kids. Seeing a wallet take shape beats any textbook lesson on handmade goods.
The gift shop leans family-friendly with USA-made wooden toys. Those simple toys make thoughtful souvenirs that last longer than a plastic trinket.
Pet treats and birdseed are also on hand. Even the dog waiting at home gets a little something.
Holiday shoppers will find unique gift ideas here. It’s an easy place to knock out presents for grandparents or teachers.
The shops sit in separate buildings from the bakery. That spreads people out and gives everyone room to wander.
Give yourself time to browse without rushing. A quick peek at the leather shop has a habit of turning into a careful shopping session.
Kettle Corn, Cider Slushies, And A Food Trailer For Lunch
Sweet, salty, and popped right there. Kettle corn ranks among the most popular snacks on the farm.
A food trailer handles heartier appetites. It serves breakfast plus burgers and other eats, which helps when kids need more than sugar.
Cider slushies are a fun warm-weather treat. Peach cider slushy has appeared on the menu too.
Homemade ice cream is another option for cooling off. After a hot hour with the goats, that cone feels well earned.
The outdoor picnic area gives families a place to sit. Packing a simple lunch and adding a fry pie for dessert works well.
Picky eaters have plenty of easy choices. Burgers, kettle corn, and plain bread cover the basics without a fight.
Menu items may vary by season. The food trailer lineup can shift, so flexibility helps.
Plan for a snack break between activities. Kids recharge fast with popcorn in hand, and parents get a minute to sit down.
Know The Hours, Parking, And Restroom Situation Before You Go
Plan around Sundays, because the farm is closed. Monday through Saturday, the bakery and farm store run from 8 AM to 5 PM.
The petting area keeps seasonal hours. It’s typically open 10 AM to 4 PM in cooler months and 10 AM to 5 PM in warmer ones.
That petting area generally operates from February 1 through December 24. Hours can change, so double-check before heading out.
The address is 5452 State Route 557, Millersburg, Ohio 44654. It’s about two and a half miles southwest of Berlin.
Columbus and Akron families can reach it in under two hours, and Cleveland isn’t much farther. Parking is plentiful, though the lot can still fill on busy days.
Restrooms include a basic building and portable toilets. The owners have mentioned plans to upgrade them, so pack wipes just in case.
Ohio summer weekends and fall foliage season can get crowded. Weekday mornings and colder months usually feel calmer.
Arriving at opening time gives you warm bread first. Then the animals open, and the rest of the day falls into place.
Why This Farm Earns A Spot On Your Amish Country Day
Some families come back every single year, and the reasons add up fast. Pies, animals, rides, and shopping all live on one Ohio farm.
Hershberger’s Farm and Bakery works especially well for mixed ages. Toddlers love the bunnies, while teens enjoy the horses and slushies.
Grown-ups get their own rewards. Fresh bread, Amish cheese, and handmade leather make the visit feel worthwhile for adults too.
Prices on baked goods and pantry staples feel fair for the area. That value matters when the whole family is along for the ride.
It also pairs nicely with a wider Holmes County outing. Berlin and the Sugarcreek area are close enough to fill out a weekend.
I believe the best family stops mix fun with something to bring home. This farm checks both boxes without trying too hard.
Just remember the Sunday closure and the seasonal petting hours. A little planning keeps the day smooth.
Then grab the fry pies, say hello to Big Ben, and enjoy the drive home. The glaze on your steering wheel is simply proof of a good day.