Yarnell Farm Harvest In Photos
About 50 acres of soybeans were harvested on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Yarnell Farm off Africa Road in Delaware County. The property spans from Cleveland Avenue on the west to the Berkshire Commons condominiums on the east.
The Yarnell Farm holds a rich history that stretches from the era of the Underground Railroad to the modern-day challenges of urban expansion. Once a significant agricultural and historical landmark on Africa Road, its story is one of transformation from a haven for freedom seekers to one of the last active farms in a growing suburban landscape.
The land’s historical significance predates the Yarnell family. The property was originally the residence of Joseph Sharp, a noted abolitionist. Built around 1843, the Sharp family was an essential stop on the Underground Railroad. They were part of a network of homes in the area that provided shelter to enslaved people journeying north toward a Quaker settlement in Morrow County.
In more recent times, the Yarnell family became the stewards of this land, continuing its agricultural tradition. For many years, they operated a well-known farm market from a metal pole barn on the property, a fond memory for many residents. In the 1970s, the sight of cattle crossing Africa Road to graze was a common occurrence, illustrating the area’s rural character.
The landscape began to change dramatically in 1995 when the City of Westerville acquired a large portion of the Yarnell Farm and other farm property through the use of eminent domain. This 941-acre acquisition was for the Westar development, a major commercial and residential project, and the extension of
Cleveland Avenue to Polaris Parkway. The Yarnell family, however, held onto the remaining parcels of their farm, becoming a symbol of the tension between agricultural heritage and suburban growth. Duane Yarnell, in particular, has been a vocal opponent of further development, using protest signs to voice his family’s objections.
Recently, the final chapter of the farm’s agricultural history has been written. The city acquired the last 88 acres of nearby former farmland for a new $30 million commercial project known as “East of Africa.” This development marks the end of an era for large swathes of farmland in the city. The Yarnell Farm continues growing grain crops to maintain its agricultural tax status, but its deep historical roots remain an essential part of Westerville’s identity.
Unharvested Green Soybeans
A narrow strip of soybean plants lines the edge of Yarnell Farm along Africa Road, where their proximity to the bright streetlights tricked them into continuing to grow, while plants farther from the road died and the beans dried enough for harvest. This occurs because soybeans are “photoperiodic,” meaning their life cycle is regulated by the length of the day. They require long, uninterrupted periods of darkness to switch from growing leaves and stems to flowering and bean production.
The bright, artificial light from LED streetlights, especially the blue and red wavelengths that plants use for photosynthesis, tricks the soybeans into thinking the days are still long. This disrupts the essential dark period, causing the plants near the lights to stay in a constant state of growth. As a result, they grow taller and stronger but fail to mature and produce beans at the same time as the rest of the crop.
The ripe beans are moist and will contaminate harvested beans, increasing their moisture content and lowering the price at the grain elevator.
The two photos below show soybeans taken from plants near the road compared to those taken several feet away. The green beans are moist to the touch, while the other beans are dry, hard, and ready for harvest.
The green beans will not be harvested, but mowed down at the end of the harvest.
The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.
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