Rita Oser is the proprietor of Holleydale Farm in Jackson Township. Commuters in the area more than likely have noticed the farm stand because it always has beautiful, colorful flowers for sale along with a variety of fresh vegetables.

Oser has worked at Holleydale Farm for 33 years starting as an employee and working up to manager. She purchased the business in 2012.

"I grew up on a large farm in Canal Fulton and am the youngest of nine children," she said. "I attended and graduated from Northwest High School and R.G. Drage vocational school. I plant 15 to 22 acres of sweet corn each year and hand pick it. I do all the farm work and greenhouses myself and have five part-time employees who run the stand."

More:Five questions with ... speech and debate national winner Abreanna Blose

Oser, Critter (dog) and Dixie (cat) still live in Canal Fulton on five acres of land. She plants thousands of hardy mums each year that customers can find at the Holleydale Farm stand in the fall. In addition to the homegrown sweet corn, Holleydale sells a vast variety of homegrown vegetables, fruits, pumpkins, and gourds in the fall. She also offers fresh-cut Christmas trees and wreaths from Michigan starting the Friday after Thanksgiving until they sell out.

The stand generally opens the last Saturday of April each year with the annual open house festivities slated for the day. Holleydale Farm is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, seven days a week.

More:Five questions with ... Jackson High senior class President Jarod Matronia

I was raised on a family farm in Canal Fulton and resided with my parents while they were still living. I worked in an office for four years after graduation but soon realized I did not like being stuck behind a desk/computer all day.

I grew up working outside alongside my dad and that is where I felt the most contentment. I liked working in the fields, driving tractors, and harvesting the crops we grew on the farm.

I just like being outdoors and like a lot of exercise. I do not mind hard work as this is how I was raised. You work till you get the job done.

Operating Holleydale Farm has enabled me to continue to be outdoors and grow my flowers in the greenhouse.

My bestseller at Holleydale is by far my flowering hanging baskets, as I work at making unique baskets that no one else grows. It is an art that has taken me many years to perfect. I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing the smiles people give when they first walk in the greenhouse and see the variety of colors and flowers that are in bloom.

My homegrown supersweet sweet corn is also a bestseller. Many customers ask when my corn will be ready as they refuse to eat any other sweet corn but Holleydale's! They are generally the customers who stop daily when the corn is in season to get it first as it is picked fresh every morning.

In the fall time of the year, hardy homegrown mums become hot sellers. I plant them at my home and bring them to Holleydale to sell when they start to bloom.

To keep the container plants and hanging baskets healthy once they leave Holleydale, I suggest people apply fertilizer once a week to feed the root system of the plant.

Also, they should not be afraid to cut back plants when they become overgrown. This will promote more blooms and growth and a much fuller uniform plant.

I enjoy hiking and walking my dog, so it would not surprise anyone to see me walking my dog on the Ohio Erie Towpath. I also frequent the walking paths at the former Tam O' Shanter golf course after putting in a day's work in the greenhouse at Holleydale.

I also like to visit Amish country when time permits. I have many Amish friends who nicknamed me "The English Girl."

Editor's note: Five questions with ... is a Sunday feature that showcases a member of the Stark County community. If you'd like to recommend someone to participate, send an email to newsroom@cantonrep.com.