The annual Centre County Farm Tour is a way to get to know the hands and lands that feed us with experiences at farmlands around the region — and this year that experience will be free to all who attend.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, the Centre County Farmland Trust’s signature event will offer a chance to see animals up close, tour a cheese cave, taste fresh foods and wine, and take in beautiful views at 10 area farms.
“Everyone will be able to come out to one or more or all of the participating farms to meet the farmers and learn more about all that they do to grow and produce our local foods,” said Jennifer Shuey, president of the trust’s board of trustees.
In previous years, farm tour passes have been $20 per carload, but this year’s event is free thanks to sponsorships from Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Colonial Press, First National Bank, The Field Burger & Tap, Millheim Small Engine and Hardware, Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture and Evergreen Farms.
The Centre County Farmland Trust works to preserve local farmland through conservation easements that permanently conserve land for agricultural purposes. The trust currently holds easements comprising more than 1,400 acres on 16 properties.
Attendees on the self-guided, family-friendly tour can start at any of the participating farms, pick up a guide and visit as many stops as they wish. Visitors will be able to enjoy a variety of agricultural experiences and learn about the practices at the places producing some of our region’s food.
A map and directions for the 14th annual event can be found at centrecountyfarmtour.com. Don’t forget to bring a cooler for any perishable food purchases.
Participating farms, as described by the Centre County Farmland Trust, include:
• Rhoneymeade Sculpture Garden & Arboretum (177 Rimmey Road, Centre Hall, PA 16828): See an old orchard and 130 acres of cropland managed as organic alfalfa, clover and grass fields surrounding the arboretum and sculpture garden. Tour the 1853 home of Leonard Rhone, Grange leader and founder of the Grange Fair. Enjoy stunning views of the pastoral countryside.
• Bee Tree Berry Farm (494 Benner Road, Bellefonte PA 16823): This U-pick berry farm grows several varieties of strawberries, red and black raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, elderberries, currents and gooseberries on 20 acres. Farmers will give tours and answer questions on sustainable agricultural practices. It also grows and sells a wide selection of vegetables and sunflowers.
• Goot Essa Farm (351 Wise Road, Howard, PA 16841): Tour the farm and cheese buildings and caves. Learn how cheese is made. See a working dairy farm and lots of animals. Goot Essa sells a variety of cheese, fudges, and jarred goods.
• Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery in Centre Hall (300 Houser Road, Centre Hall, PA 16828): This family farm produces exceptional wine from its mountainside location where it grows and hand-harvests five grape varieties in its six-acre vineyard. Visitors can tour the vineyard and winery operation, and shop for wine, wine accessories and local food products.
• RE Farm Cafe at Windswept (1000 Fillmore Road, State College, PA 16801): Newly opened RE Farm Cafe is located on Windswept Farm, a growing, thriving, living farm. See chickens and their mobile coop and lambs grazing. Our repurposed greenhouse is energy efficient. Witness renewable energy sourcing and repurposed materials used in several structures. RE Farm Cafe operates at net zero energy, net zero water, and all materials are responsibly sourced. Windswept is operating organically and continues to explore which areas are best suited to different vegetables as well as agroforestry practices.
• Student Farm at Penn State (Fox Hollow and Big Hollow Road, University Park, PA 16802): Learn how this farm functions as a living laboratory to teach about sustainable food and agricultural systems, linking classroom education, experiential learning, student-led research and community outreach. The Student Farm will offer a workshop about season extension in the home garden, 1-2 p.m., and 2-3 p.m.
• Triangle Organics (5799 Penns Valley Road, Aaronsburg, PA 16820): Visitors can get close to — and maybe even feed — the pigs, calves and ducklings at this organic Amish dairy farm with Jersey cows, chickens, ducks, horses and cats. The on-farm store sells raw milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, butter, pork, beef, chicken eggs and fermented vegetables.
• Over the Moon Farm (190 View Drive, Rebersburg, PA 16872): This small, grass-based organic farm raises hay, chickens, turkeys and pigs. It also offers a cottage for farmstays and a barn available for group events.
• Way Fruit Farm (2355 Halfmoon Valley Road, Port Matilda, PA 16870): This seventh-generation fruit farm grows and sells apples, strawberries, cherries, peaches, plums, pears and other seasonal fruits for sale year-round. Way’s shop, café, bakery and deli feature local vegetables and food products.
• Spring Bank Acres (531 Millheim Narrows Road, Rebersburg, PA 16872): Visit an Amish family farm to see cows, horses, pigs, rabbits, chickens and honey bees up close. See a large vegetable garden and greenhouses where greens are grown in winter. Sample and shop a variety of dairy and farm-made products.
