Agriculture in Lehigh County has many faces. Take advantage of this once-a-year opportunity to see local agriculture, up-close and personal, during the Open Gate Farm Tour sponsored by Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lehigh County. This annual event has been conducted in Lehigh County for over 35 years. It's a great opportunity to learn about agriculture in Lehigh County. There is no charge to go to any of these sites. Bring your family to any of these locations on Sunday, October 21st, between 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. It's rain or shine! Dress casually, bring a camera and enjoy! Look for the number on the sign that coincides with the number listed below.
1. BEAR ROCK JUNCTION - Here you'll see an 8-1/2 acre, 4-1/2 mile train-themed corn maze (admission charged for the corn maze). There will be fall farm produce (pumpkins, corn), hayrides, campfires, an apple slingshot and an educational display featuring "It's a Corny World," highlighting the importance of corn in everyday life. From Route 309 north, drive past Route 143 to Mountain Road that is at the base of the Blue Mountain. Turn left. Bear Rock Junction is the first driveway on the left.
2. BLUE MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS - Experience their 50 acres of vineyards with breathtaking views. Sample their award-winning wines. To reach Blue Mountain Vineyards, take Route 309 north three miles past the intersection of Route 100. Turn left on Route 143; go 1/2 mile to stop sign. At stop sign, turn left on Madison Street and go one mile. Turn right onto Grapevine Drive. If coming from the intersection of Route 100 and I-78, take Route 100 north for 5-1/2 miles. Turn left on Holbens Valley Road. Go three miles, and turn right on Schochary Road and then turn left on Grapevine Drive.
3. BURNSIDE PLANTATION - This restored historic farm was established by James Burnside, Northampton County’s first elected official to the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly in 1752. See a Moravian Farm Museum 1740's - 1840's showcasing the changes from handpower to horsepower. This site has an operating (ancient-style) high horsepower wheel. "Harvest Festival" will include open hearth cooking demonstrations, farm vehicles, flax preparation and colonial garden (Colonial Chemistry Lab 101), tours of the farmhouse and barns, "milk the cow" mannequin and other barnyard mannequins. Burnside Plantation is located at 1461 Schoenersville Road in Bethlehem, between Martin Tower and the Bethlehem Racquetball Club. From Route 22, take Route 378 south to 8th Avenue. At the end of the exit ramp, turn left (north) onto 8th Avenue. At the second traffic light, turn right on Eaton Avenue. Go "straight" (actually slightly right) through one light on Schoenersville Road. Turn on gravel path, just before the railroad crossing. Wheelchair access parking is straight ahead; all others bear left into meadow.
4. BYLER'S FARM - Byler's is a 20-acre fruit and vegetable farm. During October, the farm is geared to provide children with a lot of "hands-on" activities like milking a cow, gathering eggs, feeding animals, sliding down a hay stack and hayrides to pick pumpkins. From Allentown, take Route 145 north to Route 248. Take Route 248 north 1000 feet to the traffic light. Turn left. Cross the river. Go straight up the hill (Mountain Road) four miles to the sign. Byler's is located one mile north of Slatedale.
5. EDGE OF THE WOODS NATIVE PLANT NURSERY - This nursery specializes in plants native to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic area. At 2:00 p.m. they will be giving a talk on "Native Plants -- the Basics." There will be tours and a scavenger hunt throughout the afternoon. You will be able to purchase fresh-picked apples. From I-78, take Route 100 north exit. From the traffic light, travel 1.7 miles north on Route 100 to their driveway (on the right). The nursery shares a driveway with a dentist.
6. FLINT HILL FARM - This 28-acre preserved farm is an educational center and goat/cow milk dairy. There will be horse drawn hayrides, pony rides, a horse training demonstration, a riding lesson demonstration, a foal and calf to visit, and spinning and weaving products. You can take a self-guided woods walk created by a local Eagle Scout. There is a picnic area and there will be food and snacks for sale. Their farm store and gift shop will be open where you can purchase cider and dairy products. Travel south on Route 309 to Passer Road (Peppercorn Pub is on the corner). Make a left on Passer Road. Make first left on Flint Hill Road. Follow signs to the top of the hill. Park on Forest Drive. From I-78, take exit 67 (Hellertown) Route 412 south to Flint Hill Road. At the top of the hill at Flint Hill Road, make a right turn and then turn left on Forest Drive.
7. GRESS MOUNTAIN RANCH - This is a "therapeutic" ranch and a small and large animal sanctuary. There are three programs at the Gress Mountain Ranch, (1) "Counseling in the Country," for children, adolescents, and adults; (2) a community-based volunteer program to support the rescued and adopted animals; and (3) large and small animal sanctuary "Forever Home." Animals of all kinds are rescued. Their mission is, "People Helping Animals, Animals Helping People." There will be a walking tour, a petting zoo, and donkey rides. Come see all the animals. From Route 22, take Route 309 north for almost three miles. Turn left at the traffic light in Orefield on Kernsville Road. Go three miles to the Leather Corner Post Hotel. You will see a tall tower just before the hotel. Take the road that forks off to the right along the hotel. This is Weidasville Road. Proceed on Weidasville Road about one-half mile. At the Morganland Lutheran Church, turn right on Highland Road. Go about 3/10ths of a mile on Highland Road. The road curves to the left and drops slightly. As soon as it starts to drop, there is a long stone driveway on the left. The mailbox is directly across the street from the driveway. House number is 3264. Turn in there. There is a small sign on the edge of the driveway, "Gress Mountain Ranch."
8. HAINES MILL MUSEUM - A mill has stood here on the Cedar Creek since Colonial times. Haines Mill still operates for demonstrations today, offering a trip into the world of technology that supported early farm life. From I-78, take Cedar Crest Boulevard exit north to Broadway. Go west on Broadway to Haines Mill Road. Turn left, and the mill will be on the left.
9. HEIDEL HOLLOW FARM - The fourth and fifth generations of the Fink family invite you to their farm in Heidelberg Township. Farm products grown here could end up on your dinner table or be loaded on ocean vessels for voyage to foreign lands to feed horses and cows. Computerized big bale hay processing system will be demonstrated. Eight-hundred pound hay bales are reprocessed down into 40 or 80 pound bales. Mike Fink grows 100 acres of vegetables such as sweet corn, cabbage, and pumpkins for local stores. Mike will have vegetables, fruits and cider available for purchase. Take a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch to make your selection for Halloween. Play the "Wheel of Agriculture" or make a scarecrow to take home. Lee Schleicher will have his observation bee hive and honey products available. The Rural Preservation Association will again have their food court featuring locally-grown food products and a bake sale. Take Route 309 north to Pleasant Corners. Turn right on Bake Oven Road. Travel 1/2 mile to a “Y” and bear right on Saegersville Road. Follow Saegersville Road two miles through two stop signs. The farm is on the right.
10. LYON CREEK FARM - Together three generations farm hay, corn, wheat, sweet corn, produce, pumpkins, winter squash and unique fall ornamentals. There will be a guided walking tour, see historic bank barn, farm equipment, antique tractors and livestock. There will be pumpkin painting and refreshments. You can purchase items at the farm market. From I-78, take Route 100 north, approximately five miles. Turn left on Lyon Valley Road. Bear right on Blacksmith Road and follow the signs to the farm.
11. MANITO EQUESTRIAN CENTER - This is a 96-acre horse farm. Manito has a year-round lesson program, summer day camp program and boarding facilities. It is also the site of Manito Life Center, a non-profit dedicated to helping children surviving trauma. They will be offering tours and refreshments. Children can participate in horse grooming and demonstrations. Heading north on Cedar Crest Boulevard, travel approximately one mile north of Route 22. Turn left at the pony mailbox and red sign "Manito Equestrian Center." There is a children crossing sign across the street from the driveway. Heading south on Cedar Crest Boulevard, Manito is the first right after Parkland School District office building, formerly Troxell Junior High School.
12. MARWELL DAIRY FARM - This is a diversified farm consisting of a dairy, hog operation, fertilizer business, field crops and peach orchard. There are 70 milk cows, they raise a thousand hogs per year and have 180 peach trees. They also grow ornamental gourds and pumpkins, hay, wheat, corn, soybeans and oats. There will be free hayrides and tours and complimentary milk and food by Leidy's Meats. From Route 309 south, turn right on Saucon Valley Road, then turn left on Limeport Pike. From Limeport Pike, turn left on Spinnerstown Road. Turn left on Cassel Road and travel approximately two miles to the farm. There is a Land O Lakes sign at the end on the lane with the Gehman name on it and it will be on the left.
13. MIKE FINK'S GREENHOUSE AND FARM MARKET - This is a new venture for Mike Fink at the former Grim's Greenhouse location. The Fall Festival will be in full swing. Go through the 2007 corn maze (admission charged) which includes educational flip boards and a trivia game. There is a seven-acre pumpkin patch for your family to find that special pumpkin. There will also be a free straw bale maze and corn box for the children to enjoy. Over 30,000 mums are grown here and there will be lots of fall items such as gourds, corn shocks, and straw bales for your fall decorating. From I-78, take Route 100 south (exit 49A). Go to the second traffic light and proceed west on Schantz Road. Travel approximately three miles and the farm will be on your right.
14. NATURALLY at HOLBENS VALLEY FARM - This is a 200-acre farm featuring one hundred percent grass-fed and pasture-raised Black Angus beef cattle. All Natural Select beef cuts, smoked brisket and London broil will be available. There will be an antique tractor on display. From I-78 and Route 100 in Fogelsville, take Route 100 north for 5-1/2 miles. Turn left on Holbens Valley Road and go approximately 1-1/2 miles. The farm is on the right -- 7837 Holbens Valley Road.
15. NEWHARD FARMS CORN SHED - This is a fifth generation grain and vegetable farm specializing in their own premium quality sweet corn from July 4th through the month of September. This fall, walk through their covered bridge to their pumpkin patch, slide down their slide into a thousand pounds of shelled corn, climb the straw bale mountain, listen to Carl Becker's beehive demonstration and visit their market where they'll have mums, straw bales, corn stalks, Indian corn, gourds, fall decorations, and local apples and produce. Take Cedar Crest Boulevard north to the stop sign. Turn right onto Mauch Chunk Road. Travel one-third mile; the farm is in the village of Ruchsville on your right.
16. SKYVIEW ACRES - This site features a carriage house and museum, Friesian horses, and a very educated miniature donkey named Jack. They also have a Welsh corgi named Tibby that will do an agility demonstration. There will be free refreshments available. From I-78, take Route 100 north. Travel 5-1/2 miles. Take a left on Holbens Valley Road. (Route 100 gains an extra lane to make a left turn.) Go 2-1/2 miles and take a right on Werleys Corner Road. Go two miles and make a left on Bausch Road. Go one mile and then make a right up the driveway (7531 on mailbox).
17. VENTURE FARMS - This farm is unique in the fact that they are a self-contained breeding farm, they have their own stallions and mares, make their own hay, and use their own mares for public riding, monthly leasing, lessons, and also pony parties. They breed quarter horses, appaloosas, paint horses and also miniature horses and donkeys. There will be free hayrides and a petting zoo. There will be riding for a fee. Traveling north on Route 309 from Schnecksville, travel 4-1/2 miles past the Wachovia Bank. Turn right (north) in the village of Pleasant Corners on Bake Oven Road. Travel three miles, pass Bake Oven Inn, and turn right on Fritzinger Road. Venture Farms is the first farm on the right.
18. WEHR'S FRUIT STAND AND FARM - Wehr's is a family-owned farm. You will be able to see fall displays, they will have pumpkin painting, and a corn box. You can see cider being made and then get a taste. They will have refreshments made with apples and pumpkins for your sweet tooth. They will also have Texas Longhorns and other animals, plus some new additions to their barnyard. Lots of pumpkins and other produce will also be available to purchase. Wehr’s is located on the east side of Route 309 just north of Orefield.
19. WHITE CHRISTMAS TREE FARM - White's is one of the oldest Christmas tree farms in the Lehigh Valley. Spend the day in the country. Enjoy a walking tour of their farm and visit their Holiday Gift Shoppe. This year the Lutheran Academy will be hosting a "Craft and Vendor Show" at White's Christmas Chalet, a rustic retreat located on their picturesque grounds of their 24-acre farm. There will be food, pumpkins and more. Take Route 309 north to Route 873 north for approximately four miles. Turn right at sign (across from red brick Presbyterian Church). Go to dead end facing Old Post Inn. Turn right and then immediately left on High Hill Road. The farm is approximately 3/10th mile on High Hill Road. Follow the driveway at the main entrance to the lower or upper parking lots.
20.
Y KNOT ALPACAS - This is a small, family-operated alpaca farm. Alpacas
are the smaller cousin to the llama, and are known for producing a fine fiber
in an array of natural colors. There are two types of alpaca and both can be
seen at this farm. Visitors can learn all about the alpaca and their care. See
spin demonstrations, feel their fiber, and see apparel made from their fleece
(apparel products are available for purchase). From I-78, take Route 100 north
exit. Continue north on Route 100 for approximately eight miles to the intersection
of Routes 100 and 309. Turn left onto Route 309 north and proceed to the traffic
light. Turn right at the traffic light on Northwest Road and continue to
the "T" in the road. Bear right on Hunters Hill Road. Continue over
the hill and look for the driveway on the right.
The Open Gate Farm Tour is part of Penn State Cooperative Extension’s program in Lehigh County. For more
information on this and other programs, contact Bob Leiby at (610) 391-9840. This information is also available at Lehigh County Cooperative Extension’s Web site -- http://lehigh.extension.psu.edu/horticulture/opengate2007.html -- or call (610) 391-9840 and a copy will be mailed to you.
This publication is available in alternative media on request.
Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Robert E. Leiby at (610) 391-9840 in advance of your participation or visit.
The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. It is the policy of the University to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination, including harassment. The Pennsylvania State University prohibits discrimination and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Discrimination or harassment against faculty, staff, or students will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Willard Building, University Park, PA 16802-2801; telephone (814) 865-4700/V; (814) 863-1150/TTY.
