Elkhorn Farms and Hatchery is owned by Sam and Peg Ballou. This is truly a beautiful family farming operation located along the Sandusky River in Crawford County, Ohio. Sam and Peg have been farming this land with his six children since 1984. With the 400-acre farm being so diverse, the children had plenty to do over the last 20 years. The children have been home schooled and the farming operation has served as a great educational platform for his family.

Over the years, the farming operation has grown to a point where they have about 60 acres in cropland and about 180 acres in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The remaining land is wooded, and used for a large pheasant hatchery operation. They now harvest about 7,000 eggs a day and hatch around 440,000 chicks a year. They ship pheasants to various farming operations all over the United States. The farm is a conservationist's dream as you walk around this pristine land and observe all kinds of wildlife including deer, turkey, geese, ducks, and several varieties of fish to name a few. The Ballous are extremely proud of the various birds-nestings that are taking place on their property including natural pheasant nests being reintroduced into the area.

Sam's farming operation also includes hunting, trapping, fishing, archery, target shooting, and camping for people of all ages. They are excited to host the Boy Scouts, National Turkey Federation, U.S. Sportsman Alliance, Family Fun Day, and Women in the Outdoors Days, to name some of the annual events that take place on their farm. The Ballous express excitement when they talk about their favorite annual event in which they host the Wheeling Sportsman Family Days. This is a charity function in which many other groups donate time and money so that special needs people can come to the farm with their families and enjoy all the activities the farm has to offer.

Sam and his family are proud to be part of the 20 years celebration of CRP. The Ballou's farm is an excellent example of CRP working at its best for farming and the environment.

Elkhorn Farms is a conservationist's dream of pristine land and abundant wildlife.

Nearly half of the Ballous' acreage is devoted to CRP practices. They also operate a pheasant hatchery.

The Ballous host Boy Scouts, National Turkey Federation, or U.S. Sportsman Alliance to name a few events on their farm.