Eight Lehigh County farms will welcome the public during the annual Open Gate Farm Tours, noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 18 and 19.
Open Gate Farm Tours have been a tradition for more than four decades. Each year, farms throughout the county “open their gates” to help educate the community on exactly what they do.
Northampton County held its farm tours Oct. 4 and 5.
Discover the wide array of farms that are growing fruits and vegetables, making cheese and yogurt, training horses, raising alpacas and so much more.
For information, go to facebook.com/PennStateExtensionLehighCounty.
Here are the participating farms:
1. Heidel Hollow Farm
7419 Saegersville Road, Heidelberg Township
610-767-2409; www.heidelhollowfarm.com; www.mikefinksproduce.com
Heidel Hollow Farm is a Bicentennial Family Farm that has continually operated since 1750. Its 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 children’s activities. There also will be demonstrations of the farm’s cutting-edge hay processing equipment. Wagon-ride tours of the farm will be available throughout the day.
NOTE: Only open Sunday
2. Crooked Row Farm
3245 Route 309, North Whitehall Township
610-417-6982; www.crookedrowfarmpa.com
Crooked Row Farm is a woman-owned, eight-acre, certified-organic farm growing its own vegetables and herbs. Its comprehensive farm market and store will be selling produce, meat, dairy, canned goods, ferments, bread, honey and other pantry items. During Open Gate, the farm will have vendors, product samples and walking tours of the property, with the opportunity to pick your own vegetables.
3. Willow Haven Farm
7686 Herber Road, Weisenberg Township
610-298-2197; www.willowhavenfarmpa.com/
Willow Haven Farm is a diverse organic farm that features both vegetables and animals. Farmer Reuben will share his insights into sustainable agriculture while the other farmer shares interactive activities and demonstrations. Visit the farm store to purchase fresh produce and other nutrient-dense foods, as well as flower bouquets and other gifts. Brick-oven pizza and homemade gelato are available while supplies last each day.
NOTE: Only open Saturday
4. Lyon Creek Farm
3502 Blacksmith Road, Weisenberg Township
610-390-1641; www.facebook.com/LyonCreekFarm
Lyon Creek Farm is a family-owned and -operated farm with four generations growing and harvesting season fruits and vegetables that are sold at their farm stand. Pumpkins, gourds, mums, squash, straw bales, corn stalks, local honey and apple cider will be available for purchase. Activities will include a corn maze, pumpkin patch, pumpkin games, and pumpkin painting. Refreshments and guided tours will be available.
5. Historic Haines Mill Museum
3600 Haines Mill Road, South Whitehall Township
610-435-1074; www.lchs.museum
The Haines Mill has stood on the Cedar Creek since colonial times (circa 1850) when it operated as a water-powered flour mill. Mills like this played an important role in early agriculture by grinding wheat, oats, rye, corn and barley into flour and animal feed. The mill offers a journey into the world of technology that supported early farm life. Outdoor guided tours will be available.
6. Hausman Fruit Farm
2824 Limeport Pike, Lower Milford Township
267-980-3409; www.hausmanfruitfarm.com
Hausman Fruit Farm is a fifth-generation, 100-acre farm. During Open Gate it will offer pick your own apples and pumpkins, antique and modern farm machinery on display, pony rides and goat snuggling. Enjoy live music and free hayrides both days as well as old-fashioned apple butter making on Saturday and grain cleaning demonstrations on Sunday. Fresh-baked goods made from scratch and pre-picked apples will be for sale.
7. 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 is used. Come meet and pet the alpacas while learning about these unique animals. Feel the softness of their fiber and learn about the yarn making process. Spinning, weaving and felting demonstrations will be shown throughout the day.
8. November Farms
1048 Mill Hill Road, Upper Hanover Township
215-353-7000
This family farm invites visitors to view Scottish Highland cows, Valais Blacknose sheep, horses, pigs, quail and ducks. Treats are available to feed animals. An observational working honeybee hive can be safely viewed from inside the barn. Seasonal pick your own fruit and pumpkin patch, and visit the small aquaponic greenhouse with flowers, herbs and plants for sale. Organic bulk or bagged compost available. The farm store is stocked with beef, pork, milk, honey, pottery, candles, and other handmade and locally produced items.