Bob Ferda was born and raised in the Ohio Valley. After graduating from high school, and a brief stint working for the FBI, he joined
the Air Force. He graduated from Miami University with a degree in B
otany. From 1972 to 1979 he worked at Babson’s Garden Center in Westlake, Ohio, for the last 5 years as the general manager. He returned to the Ohio Valley in 1979 and started Ferda’s Garden Center in 1980.
Bob is on the board of trustees for the Olive Branch Cemetery in Harrisville, Ohio. He is an avid outdoorsman, photographer,and a member of the Shortcreek Sportsman’s Club. Contact Bob at Bob@ferdas.com.
Lynn 
Ferda graduated from Miami University with a degree in Sociology. She trained as a floral designer at the Pittsburgh Floral Academy. She is the office manager, marketing director, and a buyer for the gift shop.
She and her husband have two sons, Steve and Jeff, and three grandsons, Nicholas, Benjamin, and Joshua. Contact her at Lynn@ferdas.com
Patty Utter is the Gift Shop manager and head floral designer. She has been with Ferda’s Garden Center for over 20 years. Patty directs the seeding down of our veggies and annuals each spring.
She lives near Harrisville with her husband, Randy, daughter, Lori, and granddaughter, Caitlyn. Her gardens include lots of perennials and roses. Contact her at Patty@ferdas.com.
Bobby Harr loves to plant perennials and has flourishing gardens around his
parents’ home in Mount Pleasant, OH. Bobby loves to create displays, container gardens, do interior decorating for holidays and everyday, and with his friendly smile and attentive ear, he’ll make your visit to Ferda’s a pleasant one.
Gloria Roberts specializes in selling green goods. She has years of experience tending gardens and taking care of hanging baskets. Her no-nonsense attitude will guide you in your choices and help you be a successful gardener. She lives and gardens in Dillonvale.
Others on staff this year are Julia Wise and Brittany Tschappat.
