LEHIGH COUNTY OPEN GATE FARM TOURS
Lehigh County Open Gate Farm Tours will be held 1-5 p.m. Oct. 15 and 16.
Open Gate Farm Tours have been a local tradition for more than four decades. Each year farms throughout Lehigh County “open their gates” to the public to help educate the community on exactly what they do. Come discover the wide array of farms that are growing fruits and vegetables, making cheese and yogurt, training horses, raising alpacas and so much more. There are 13 farms in this year’s Lehigh County Open Gate Farm Tour.
1. HEIDEL HOLLOW FARM, 7419 Saegersville Road, Heidelberg Township
Heidel Hollow Farm is a Bicentennial Family Farm continually operated since 1750. The retail farm market has a wide selection of pumpkins, mums, apples and other produce. The day of the tour will feature a food court as well as activities for children. There will also be demonstrations of hay processing equipment. Info: 610-767-2409; www.heidelhollowfarm.com www. mikefinksproduce.com. NOTE: Only open Oct. 16.
2. SCHNECK HOUSE/ UPPER LEHIGH HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 5081 PA Route 873, North Whitehall Township
The Schneck House is a small-scale example of an early German Homestead, featuring a log home, foursquare garden, small barn and butchering pavilion. Tours of the loghouse and garden, demonstrations of crafts and household chores circa 1840 will be offered throughout the day.
3. WILLOW HAVEN FARM, 7686 Herber Road, Weisenberg Township
Willow Haven Farm is a diverse organic farm that features both vegetables and animals. Come and enjoy a hayride farm tour and pizza from the brick oven. There will also be glass blowing, blacksmith and spinning demonstrations. The farm store will also be open. Info: willowhavenfarmpa.com/
4. LYON CREEK FARM, 3502 Blacksmith Road, Weisenberg Township
Lyon Creek Farm is an 83-acre family owned and operated farm. Lyon Creek grows many varieties of fruits and vegetables that are sold at the farm stand which opens in June. There are summer walking tours with pick-your-own sunflowers. October weekends offer pick-your-own pumpkins and a pumpkin game area. Info: 610-390-1641; www. facebook.com/LyonCreekFarm/. 5. WEATHERED VINEYARDS, 7670 Carpet Road, Lowhill Township
Weathered Vineyards is a family-owned working vineyard and winery. The facility hosts many wine tasting and music events throughout the year including happy hour and food trucks on Fridays. During the tour, visitors will see harvesting grapes and wine processing in action. Info: 610-984-2867; www. weatheredvineyards.com.
6. THE GRESS MOUNTAIN RANCH, 3264 Highland Road, Lowhill Township
The Gress Mountain Ranch’s motto is “Animals Helping People and People Helping Animals.” The therapeutic ranch has been in operation for over 23 years housing large, small and exotic animals in a sanctuary. There will be a petting zoo, bake sale and blessing of the animals. Info: 610-3982122; www.gressmountainranch.org. NOTE: Only open Oct. 16.
7. CROOKED ROW FARM, 3245 Route 309, North Whitehall Township
Crooked Row Farm is a woman-owned eight-acre certified-organic farm. The farm grows vegetables and is home to 200 laying hens. The farm market and store will be open with everything from produce to meat, dairy, canned goods, ferments, bread, honey and other pantry items. Info: 610-4176982; www.crookedrowfarmpa.com.
8. HISTORIC HAINES MILL MUSEUM, 3600 Haines Mill Road, South Whitehall Township
The Haines Mill has stood on the Cedar Creek since the 1800s. The mill offers a journey into the world of technology that supported early farm life. Outdoor guided tours are scheduled. Info: 610-435-1074; www.lehighvalleyheritagemuseum.org.
9. BURNSIDE PLANTATION, 1461 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem
Burnside Plantation is a restored historic farm established in 1748 by Moravians James and Mary Burnside. The plantation features the original farmhouse and barn with buildings dating to the mid-1800s. Tours of the house and barn are offered throughout the year during scheduled open hours and special events. Info: 610-6916055; www.historicbethlehem.org.
10. THE SEED FARM,
5854 Vera Cruz Road, Upper Milford Township
The Seed Farm provides new farmers with valuable, practical experience and skills on the training farm as well as the opportunity to launch sustainable farm businesses. Two main programs are offered to meet the needs of new farmers who may not have grown up on farms and therefore lack access to land, training, and/or equipment. Training opportunities cover production, setup and management of infrastructure (greenhouse, high tunnel, irrigation system, etc.), equipment use and safety, direct and wholesale marketing, business plan creation and more. Walking tours will be offered as well as tours of greenhouse and machines. Info: 484-8666067; www.theseedfarm. org. NOTE: Only open Oct. 15.
11. HAUSMAN FRUIT FARM, 2824 Limeport Pike, Lower Milford Township
Hausman Fruit Farm is a family-owned and operated 100-acre farm specializing in orchard and grain production since 1916. The operation includes many varieties of fruits and veggies, a farm store with apple dumplings and pies, hay rides, pickyour-own pumpkins and apples and pony rides. Info: 267-980-3409; www.hausmanfruitfarm.com.
12. PAPPY’S ORCHARD AND BAKERY,
2576 Cassell Road, Lower Milford Township
Pappy’s Orchard is a third-generation family-owned and operated farm. The orchard is home to 3,000 fruit trees, 12 unique hard cider varieties, 32 varieties of dessert apples and 42 varieties of stone fruits (peaches, plums and nectarines) on over 21 acres. The bakery uses the fruits to make seasonal fruit pies and cakes, cookies, jellies and other baked goods. Tours of the orchard and farm equipment will be taking place during Open Gate. Info: 215-679-3981; www.pappysorchard.com.
13. KRAUSSDALE ALPACAS,
5169 Kraussdale Road, Lower Milford Township
The Kraussdale Alpacas farm raises alpacas and produces yarn from their fiber. Visitors can browse through the Alpaca Boutique to see all the different ways alpaca fiber can be used. Visitors can also touch the animals to feel the softness of their fiber and learn about alpacas, the yarn making process and learn about the fiber processing. spinning, weaving and felting demonstrations will be shown. Info: 215-805-5903; www.kraussdalealpacas. com.
For information, go to www.facebook.com/PennStateExtensionNorthamptonCounty.