YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — A California woman, who now lives in Youngstown, has big plans for one of the hangars at Lansdowne Airport on Youngstown’s East Side.
Constance Burgess hopes to soon build the Bronson Family Farm on the property.
“When you’re dealing with a farm, you can grow anything and you can provide your community exactly what they need,” Burgess said.
In a document presented to Youngstown City Council last month, Burgess laid out her plan for the Bronson Family Farm. It will include a working farm, a farm-to-table restaurant, a novelty shop, radio-controlled toy areas, a kids’ play area, 18 holes of miniature golf, and glamping — which is luxurious camping.
“I come out here, I see all of this land, all the opportunity, the potential — why isn’t anything being done? Agritourism works perfectly for Youngstown,” she said.
Constance Burgess moved to Youngstown 18 months ago from San Francisco to live with her son and after taking a 28-week farming class at Central State University, she discovered opportunities for agritourism.
She now wants to bring that discovery to Lansdowne Airport where she can use up to 118 acres.
“I was hoping to break some ground this year, 2025. As soon as we get the funding for the architect, which can be within two weeks,” she said.
Burgess is working with Valley Economic Development Partners to get the money. She’s looking at $1.5 million.
“Well actually, we started at $850,000 and it was suggested I needed to increase that and $1.5 million, I was sort of pleased but I thought it should have been a little bit more. It really should be more like $2.5 million,” Burgess said.
The plan is to have the farm operable in 2026. At its peak, it should employ 300 people.