LEHIGH COUNTY

OPEN GATE FARM TOUR

October 19, 2008

1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

 

 

 

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 19th, 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.

 

*** Please see the map at the end of this listing for tour locations. ***

 

1.  BLUE MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS - Experience their 50-acre vineyard and winery. Sample their award-winning wines; tours with the winemaker. There will be snacks, activities and accredited supervision for the children. 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 six miles. Turn left on Holbens Valley Road. Go four miles, and turn right on Schochary Road for two miles and then turn left on Grapevine Drive.

 

2.  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.

 

3.  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 1,000 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.

 

4.  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 children's activities throughout the afternoon. You will be able to purchase fresh-picked apples. From I-78, take Route 100 north. 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.

 

5.  FLINT HILL FARM - This 28-acre agro-educational farm offering vocational programs and school tours will offer hayrides, pony rides and tours of the farm. There will be milking demonstrations. Visit the farm animals -- pigs, goats, chickens, sheep and horses. There will be food and a farm store. Travel south on Route 309 to Passer Road. Make a left on Passer Road. Make first left on Flint Hill Road. Follow signs to the top of the hill. From I-78, take the Hellertown exit. Turn left on Route 412. Turn right at Leithsville Inn (Flint Hill Road).  At the top of the hill, make a right turn and then turn on Forest Drive.

 

6.  THE 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; (3) large and small animal sanctuary "Forever Home." Ben and Kathryn Gress take care of all the animals till the end of life. There will be a petting zoo, all kinds of animals are rescued; educational talks, refreshments, crafts, a raffle, baked goods and donkey rides. 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."

 

7.  HAINES MILL MUSEUM - A mill has stood here on the Cedar Creek since Colonial times. Haines Mill operates for demonstrations today, offering a trip into the world of technology that supported early farm life. They will be giving guided tours. 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.

 

8.  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 160 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.

 

9.  LYON CREEK FARM - Together three generations farm hay, corn, wheat, sweet corn, produce, pumpkins, winter squash and unique fall ornamentals on the Seidel Family Farm. There will be a guided walking tour, demonstrations, 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.

 

10.  MANITO EQUESTRIAN CENTER - This is a 96-acre horse farm. Manito has a year-round lesson program, summer day camps and boarding facilities. Manito is also the host site of Manito Life Center, a non-profit dedicated to helping children who are at-risk. Tours, refreshments and grooming activities will be offered. 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." Heading south on Cedar Crest Boulevard, Manito is the first right after the former Troxell Junior High School.

 

11.  MARWELL DAIRY FARM - This is a diversified farm consisting of a dairy (75 milk cows, 100 young stock), sheep, goats, hogs (400), and capons. They also raise corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, rye and pumpkins. The total acres farmed  is 1,100. They will be offering Leidy's pork product samples and tours and hayrides. 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 of the lane with the Gehman name on it.

 

12.  MIKE FINK'S GREENHOUSE AND FARM MARKET - This is the second year for Mike Fink at the former Grim's Greenhouse location. The Fall Festival will be in full swing. Go through the 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 be a free straw bale maze and corn box for the children to enjoy. Over 30,000 mums are grown here. 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 the right.

 

13.  VENTURE FARMS - This farm is a self-contained breeding, boarding, riding horse farm. They grow their own hay and have their own stallions for breeding. They raise quarter horses, appaloosas, mini horses and donkeys. They will have free hayrides, petting animals, and pony and horse rides 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.

 

14.  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 get a taste. They will have refreshments made with apples and pumpkins for your sweet tooth. See the Texas Longhorns and other animals, plus some new additions to their barnyard. Lots of pumpkins and other produce will also be available for purchase. Wehr's is located on the east side of Route 309 just north of Orefield.

 

15.  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.   

 

This listing is also available at Lehigh County Cooperative Extension's Web site -- http://lehigh.extension.psu.edu/ -- or call          (610) 391-9840 and a copy will be mailed to you.

 

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 us at (610) 391-9840. 

 

This publication is available in alternative media on request.

 

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, 328 Boucke Building, University Park, PA  16802-5901; telephone 814-865-4700/V, 814-863-1150/TTY.

 

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.

 

LEHIGH COUNTY

OPEN GATE FARM TOUR

October 19, 2008

1:00 - 5:00 p.m.