Grower Highlight: Tyler’s Farm

Lettuce is grown hydroponically at Tyler’s Farm in Oberlin, Ohio.

During our Grace Brothers Winter CSA, our members get two bags of greens every week. More often than not, we’re buying lettuce from Tyler’s Farm in Oberlin, Ohio, only about 30 miles away…

Tyler’s Farm grows lettuce and herbs in greenhouses hydroponically. Hydroponic farming uses a water-based nutrient system instead of soil in a controlled environment. Tyler’s hydroponic system uses the nutrient film technique system, and so always has flowing water over the roots. With hydroponics, the plants don’t have to work as hard to grow roots because the minerals are delivered directly to the roots in the water.

Tyler Gogolek, Founder of Tyler’s Farm

Tyler Gogolek opened the greenhouse farm in December 2014. He says, “With hydroponics, you can grow more plants in a tighter space in a shorter time.”

Tyler’s lettuces are sold with the roots intact, still living, so they will stay fresh longer.

Tyler’s Farm uses LED lighting in the winter so plants can have a longer growing day. The farm also uses “biological insect control,” which means not pesticides, only bugs that eat other bugs. The hydroponic method also uses substantially less water than is required to irrigate the same amount of lettuce if planted outside. Plus, they can grow lettuce year-round, instead of only when the weather is just right. (Lettuces in Ohio only grow in the spring and fall outside.)

If you’re looking for Tyler’s lettuces after the Winter CSA is over at the end of January, look for them at some Meijer’s Stores, including Lorain, Avon, Seven Hills, Brunswick, and Medina. They are also sold at the Strongsville Giant Eagle and are available to order online through Market Wagon.

Tyler’s team can be found selling greens at the Van Aken District Indoor Winter Market every Saturday morning through March and at other farmers’ markets throughout the summer. In 2025, they were at the Shaker Heights Farmers Market, the Chagrin Falls Farmers Market, and Kamm's Corner Farmers Market.

New to the concept of CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)?

We help connect farmers like Tyler with local consumers so you can eat fresh (and local) on a weekly basis.

While our Winter CSA will be winding down at the end of the month, our Summer CSA is now open for enrollment.