Clayton and Arla Miller have lived as farmers in rural Scioto County for most of their lives. They are conservationists and members of the Friends of Scioto Brush Creek environmental organization. While they don't use Scioto Brush Creek directly for agricultural irrigation, their property is adjacent to both the forest and the creek, and they have always used their immediate landscape in their cultural life, for recreation as well as household crafts and collections. Arla keeps a greenhouse and makes arrangements out of dried flowers, corn, gourdes, birds’ nests, and other grown plants and found objects. One of Clayton’s crafts is to make light fixtures out of antlers.
Though neither of them were born in Scioto County, Arla and Clayton both have had a lifelong experience in the region, and a family history of agricultural living. They moved to Scioto County as children, and were childhood friends who rode the school bus together. Clayton was born in Wilmington, Ohio and moved to Scioto County in 1959, where he later became the school bus driver, and eventually followed the family lineage to become a farmer. Arla was born in Toledo and moved here in 1960. Her father was a pharmacist who became a turkey farmer, eventually leaving the pharmaceutical industry for ethical reasons. After they were married, Clayton and Arla spent one year working in Columbus, where Arla had a job at an insurance company, but they came back because they preferred life in the country. They have two daughters and two sons, and now they have seven grandchildren.
They have seen changes to the landscape over the years. Arla talks about how the various wildflower populations have changed.
Photo: Fieldworker Danielle Rogner is seen here with her recording equipment at the Miller farm.
Fieldworkers
Danielle Rogner
Madeleine Smith
Digital Gallery Editor
Madeleine Smith