Rhoads Farm Market & Garden
Center
Serving Circleville for
over 50 years
Rhoads Farm Market & Garden
Center specializes in
providing premium nursery
stock, landscape design and
build services, fresh
homegrown produce, and
expertise in the growing and
care of plant material.
Rhoads farm stand was first
operated in 1958 by Brent
Rhoads, his father Robert
and his wife Lurose, and
Bill Friece, Lurose’s
Father. Brent, who was 9
years old that summer, was
up each morning picking
sweet corn, opening the
stand by 10 a.m. and closing
at dusk. The open-air market
continued until 1961 when
Rhoads Farm Market moved to
a 10’ x 15’ building at the
intersection of Hitler Rd
and St. Rt. 56. Robert &
Lurose lived on the original
site of the farm stand and
nurtured the business while
Brent went away to college
and the military. Products
that were sold included
their own homegrown
vegetables, fruits, local
eggs, their own whole hog
sausage, Amish meats and
cheeses, and bedding plants.
In 1972, Brent and his new
wife Kathy returned to the
farm and realized it was
necessary to enlarge the
business in order to support
two families. By the mid
70’s the market expanded to
a full service farm market
and garden center by adding
trees, shrubs, mulch, garden
supplies and landscaping. A
1978 fire in the main farm
market building prompted
further expansion of
buildings and greenhouses.
Robert & Lurose continued to
work in the family business
until the late 90’s.
In 1981 Rhoads entered the
wholesale tree nursery
business; now known as Split
Rail Nursery. The nursery
produces 110 acres of shade
trees, evergreens, shrubs
and Christmas trees and the
family farm grows 150 acres
of fruits and vegetables,
which are sold at the farm
stand, farmers markets, and
wholesale.
Rhoads attributes the
success of the company to
its customers. “The customer
is the sole reason we are in
business still today.” We
listen to our customers to
guide us towards which
products and services to
carry as well as following
industry trends on demands
of the marketplace.
This year Rhoads is excited
about improvements to their
facility, product lines, and
services. Rhoads will be
hosting a series of Hands-On
workshops throughout the
season as well Gourmet
Cooking events; hosted by
Brett Rhoads. Rhoads will
also be expanding their
fruit & vegetable
production. We hope to have
a wonderful Homegrown Peach
crop after a devastating
year in 2007 and Rhoads will
be harvesting Sweet Cherry
trees from our orchard by
June. We again will be
harvesting early varieties
of strawberries in May. .
Rhoads’ primary focus is to
be of service to the
gardener or even those who
have no gardening skills.
Rhoads has expanded its
landscape services; through
the retail as well as
through the Rhoads
Landscaping Division. Rhoads
offers a “We Plan You Plant”
program, where the Garden
Center helps you create the
perfect landscape, with you
installing the plant
material & hardscapes.
Rhoads Landscaping is there
to assist the homeowner with
professional design and
installation services, and
strives to make the
landscape process an
enjoyment from start to
finish.
In 2008, the business is
still a family operation.
The retail Garden Center is
managed by Carly (Rhoads)
Neff; Rhoads Landscaping by
Jeremy Neff; Rhoads
Vegetable Production by
Brett Rhoads; Satellite
Farmer’s Markets by Kathy
Rhoads, and Split Rail
Nursery by Brent Rhoads. The
Rhoads family is excited to
be celebrating 50 years of
business in the Circleville
community this year. Join us
for our anniversary
celebration in mid July.
Bill Friece at current St.
Rt. 56 location
Robert & Lurose Rhoads
Rhoads Farm Market & Garden
Center in 1970’s
