Our Story

Every farm has a story, and ours goes back to the late ’90s. In 1997-ish, my cousin invited me over for what was supposed to be a fun day of horseback riding with friends. That’s when I met Jeannie Vogel. She was having some, let’s say, “horse challenges,” so the riding plans didn’t exactly pan out. But that day started something pretty special.

Fast forward to 1999—our senior year of high school—and we started dating. Jeannie still had a horse (of course). High school flew by, then college, where Jeannie earned a degree in Elementary Education, and I went into Mechanical Engineering. Both of us grew up immersed in farm life—she on a dairy farm, me around crops and beef. After college, marriage, and finding our first jobs, we landed in Columbiaville. Oh, and the horse? Still around—though by then, it was a new one!

Before long, farming called us back. Instead of buying hay, we started putting up our own with help from a generous neighbor who let us work the back of their property. That small hay operation quickly grew into something bigger. By 2009, we took the leap and purchased a 138-acre fixer-upper farm—emphasis on the *fixer-upper*. It needed work, but we were up for the challenge.

Over the years, we developed a deep appreciation for organic farming. By 2016, we were fully certified organic and producing crops like corn, soybeans, black beans, hay, popcorn, and wheat. Slowly but surely, we’ve been transforming this farm into our forever home.

We’ve restored the old dairy barn, which now houses our layer and meat chickens. Our pigs and cattle call this place home too. And yes, the horses—oh, the horses! They’re still very much part of our family. Jeannie, Leigha, and Leo each have their own, and we even welcomed a young rescue horse into the mix.

This farm isn’t just where we live or work—it’s where we’re building a life we love. Thanks for stopping by to learn about us. We hope you’ll enjoy a little taste of Cowbells & Horsetails, whether it’s our organic popcorn, black beans, or just a peek into our farm life!

From Our Field

To Your Bowl

Popcorn may look like regular corn in the field, but its journey from planting to popping is something special. It all starts just like field corn or sweet corn—planted in neat rows and carefully tended to keep weeds at bay. Once the plants mature, the popcorn kernels begin to dry naturally in the field, just like regular corn.

Harvest time is where the magic (and precision) happens. We use a combine to harvest the kernels, but this isn’t just any harvest—popcorn requires extra care. We carefully adjust the combine settings to make sure the kernels aren’t damaged during the process. Quality is everything when it comes to that perfect pop!

Once harvested, we dry the kernels to the ideal popping moisture using fans and air. Unlike some methods, we don’t use added heat—this gentle approach helps preserve the popcorn’s quality and ensures every kernel is at its best.

After drying, the popcorn goes through a series of steps to get rid of any unwanted materials that might have come along for the ride, like plant bits or kernels that are too big or too small. Then comes the gravity table—a fascinating piece of equipment that sorts out the low-density kernels, leaving only the best and fluffiest candidates for popping. (Picture a big, flat table working its sorting magic here.)

Finally, the kernels are packaged up, ready to head from our farm to your kitchen. Every step is designed to ensure the highest quality, so when it’s popcorn night, you’re getting kernels that pop perfectly every time.

Testimonials

Happy Shoppers

"Just got my shipment all the way to Las Vegas! Super excited and just made popcorn! So delicious! Thanks for producing amazing products."

Samuel T.

Facebook Review

"I have found my forever popcorn!"

Jon Vaden

Facebook Review

"Popcorn night at our house tonight! Tried the new locally grown organic popcorn from Cowbells & Horsetails in Fostoria! Nothing beats fresh... Tender & yummy, from that big bowl only had a few kernels Oh yea... And it's Bailey approved get ya some."