If you’ve ever driven by County Line Road and spotted tidy rows of white netting or caught a whiff of fresh herbs on a summer breeze, chances are you’ve passed by Gentle Boy Farms — a small but mighty piece of land tended by the Cherian family right here in Gates Mills.

Neil, Kay, and their son Noah have called the village home since 2012, but it wasn’t long after moving in that they began imagining what might be possible with the land around them. That dream took root, quite literally, in the form of blueberries — and soon after, Gentle Boy Farms was born.

Neil grew up in Rochester, New York, the oldest of three siblings. Kay, on the other hand, hails from Plymouth, Ohio and is one of twelve children. The two met through work and built their life around shared values: family, purpose, and a deep appreciation for the outdoors.

Today, Neil works as a neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic, while Kay is a physical therapist, also with the Clinic. Their son Noah is a fifth grader at Gates Mills Elementary, where he’s been active in floor hockey and basketball and has a knack for math and English Language Arts. Together, the family shares a love for hiking, travel, and Sunday afternoon movies — always with popcorn.

They’re also proud pet parents to Max, their beloved outdoor cat, who was once purchased from Kay’s dad for a grand total of 25 cents. Max has since become part mascot, part sidekick, never far from the family when they’re out working the farm.

What began as a simple desire to grow clean, pesticide-free food for their family quickly grew into something much larger — and a lot tastier. Gentle Boy Farms now grows berries, culinary herbs, vegetables, and flowers, all pesticide-free and all rooted in sustainable farming practices.

“We envisioned our farm years ago,” Kay explains, “but when we moved here, there was nothing on the land. We grew blueberries first, as the plants matured we were harvesting more than we needed and this prompted us to sell the extra product.”

As for the name Gentle Boy Farms, Kay says, “We were trying to come up with a name and we considered 2 things: we did not want to use any harsh chemicals in the growth of our plants (Gentle,) and the boy part came from Noah and keeping food safe for him.  My goal was to produce safe foods for our family and share healthy fruits and vegetables with others when we produced extra.”

While the farm doesn’t have a storefront, residents can find Gentle Boy Farms products starting this year at local farmers' markets during the summer, or stop by the roadside stand near their property on County Line Road (weather permitting). For those wanting to plan ahead, their website, gentleboyfarms.com, is updated with seasonal availability.

The Cherians may be quiet farmers, but their sense of community runs deep. When curious neighbors began asking about the white netting and what was growing underneath, Kay had an idea — bring everyone together for a little summer fun. Thus, the Blueberry Bash was born.

Set in the blueberry patch each July, the Bash features homemade blueberry treats, a dessert contest (winner returns the next year), and even a classic guessing game involving a jar full of berries. “It’s a great time to visit, enjoy the weather, and eat some fresh blueberries,” Kay says. The event has become a local favorite and a sweet reflection of the family’s desire to connect with their neighbors.

Outside of the farm, the Cherians are active in the Gates Mills Elementary PTC and can often be found supporting community events — from the July 4th parade and Halloween festivities to the Easter egg hunt. They even organize a water stop each year at Mile 17 of the Columbus Marathon, helping cheer on runners as they push through the hardest part of the race.

Ask Kay or Neil what they love most about living in Gates Mills, and you’ll hear about the kind of small-town warmth that’s hard to find these days. Whether it’s borrowing a cup of sugar (or a jar of molasses mid-cookie-batch) from a neighbor or walking through Squire’s Castle trails on a crisp fall day, it’s clear that the Cherians don’t just live here — they belong here.

Their family memory book is full: Sunday hikes, skipping stones at Lake Erie Bluffs, tennis matches at the village courts, quiet evenings in the garden, and countless small, meaningful connections with those around them.

At its core, Gentle Boy Farms is about more than just growing food. It’s about growing thoughtfully. It’s about feeding your family with intention. And, maybe most importantly, it’s about living in rhythm with the land and the people around you.

So the next time you pass a little roadside stand on County Line, or see that friendly outdoor cat keeping watch, take a moment to remember the Cherians — a family growing something special, right here at home.