THIS WEEKEND: Northampton County Open Gate Farm Tour!

The Northampton County Open Gate Farm Tour is this weekend!  There’s no better way to spend a fall day.  Spend an afternoon visiting local farms, talking with farmers and learning how your food is produced on our farms.  The Open Gate Farm Tour, presented by Penn State Extension-Northampton County is this Saturday and Sunday, October 12th and 13th from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.  There is no charge to go to any of these sites. Bring your family, dress casually and enjoy the day!  Look for the number on the sign that coincides with the number listed below.

1.       AMORE FARMS, 7054 Beth Bath Pike, Bath, PA  18014 - There will be home grown fruits and vegetables, greenhouse plants, hardy mums, pumpkins, hayrides wine tours and tastings. Learn historical and farm facts in the puzzle woods maze, solve brain teasers in the corn maze, enjoy pumpkin picking, and wine making demonstrations.  The farm is two miles north of Route 22 on Route 512.

2.       BAARDA FARM, 1566 River Road, Mt. Bethel, PA  18343 - Baarda Farm is a 20-acre fruit and vegetable farm that makes, presses and sells apple cider and vinegar. Never wasting anything, they sell brown eggs with over 200 chickens that are corn fed and given greens from veggies that stop producing. Walking tours will showcase their fields, high tunnels, cider house, and use of gutters to grow crops. Product samples will also be available. From Route 512, take Route 611 N toward Portland.  Take the last exit before crossing the bridge to New Jersey.  At stop sign, make a right turn over train tracks onto River Road. Follow for 10 miles. The farm will be on your right. The river will be on your left.

3.       BURNSIDE PLANTATION, 1461 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem, PA  18018 - This restored historic farm was established in 1748 by James and Mary Burnside, both Moravians. Enjoy Showing Off!, a special exhibit just for Open Gate visitors. Do you have fancy towels that are used only for special occasions? So did people living 200 years ago! Women personalized household linens showing off their needlework skills honed by stitching samplers. The fanciest of all household linens in the colonial house, a show towel, was hung as decoration on doors and walls of the home to signify cleanliness. See some of these fancy linens on display at the James Burnside House. Additionally, visitors can enjoy guided tours of the barn, colonial cooking and cider press demonstrations, pumpkin decorating, colonial games and a stitching activity just for kids. From Route 22, take Route 378 south to 8th Avenue north. At the stop light at 8th Avenue and Eaton Avenue, turn right. Proceed through the next stop light (Schoenersville Road); Burnside is at the bottom of the hill. Look for the blue sign marking the driveway.  

4.       BUZAS GREENHOUSE, 2937 Newburg Road, Easton, PA 18045 - In the greenhouse they raise bedding plants, vegetable plants, perennials, holiday plants, and some vegetables. On the farm they raise vegetables, hay, wheat and field corn. They will have a small corn maze with a hay wagon ride to and from. There is a minimal charge. Take Route 33 to Hecktown Road exit. Turn right off exit ramp on Hecktown Road. Turn right at stop light onto Country Club Road. Buzas is at the corner of Country Club and Newburg Roads.

5.       CLEAR SPRING FARM, 206 Garr Road, Easton, PA  18040 - Clear Spring Farm is a 23-acre vegetable and pumpkin farm. They have been running a CSA (community supported agriculture) for nine years. They will offer walking tours of the farm to the pumpkin patch. They have three high tunnel greenhouses for season extension of their products. You will be able to check out the high tunnels where they will be starting their strawberries for early picking. They also have a farmstand on site. From Route 33 N, take the PA-191 exit toward Stockertown.  Turn right onto Main Street and continue onto Sullivan Trail.  Turn left onot Uhler Road.  Follow Uhler Road toward Martins Creek, past Forks Equipment. Take next left onto Ayers Road (sign), bear two hard rights. Farm is on left.

6.       GLENMAR NURSERY, 746 Copella Road, Bath, PA  18014 - Glenmar Nursery has been providing quality plant materials for over 40 years. They have the largest selection of trees, shrubs and perennials in the area.  Visit their beautiful country setting where shopping is a pleasure and enjoy a walking tour through their four acre nursery display. Enjoy the tranquil sights and sounds of their six working koi and goldfish ponds. Take a tour of the newly-landscaped display garden. Enjoy hunting for frogs and watching the fish in the display ponds. Bonsai Society of the Lehigh Valley will also have an exhibit and demonstrations. From Route 512, turn onto Route 946 west (Community Drive). Go 1/4 mile, turn right onto Copella Road. Glenmar is 1/2 mile on right.

7.       GRAVER FARMSTEAD, 820 South Delps Road, Bath, PA  18014 - Graver Farmstead is a preserved family farm raising grass-fed beef and pork. Visit with the animal families, take a look at the high tunnel and vegetables, watch their bale wrapper work, and ponder over the various old odd hand tools found on the farm.  Take a look at the machinery and tour the farm. Talks will be given on the hour about beef and pork. Farm activities for the kids. Learn about farm conservation practices, crop production for grass-fed beef, rotational grazing, old farm tool use, and herd management. Take Route 987 north from Bath. Go straight through the stop sign at the intersection of Routes 987 and 946. Turn on Point Phillips Road at Klecknersville. Take the first left onto South Delps Road. Farm is 1/2 mile on the right.

8.       J. H. KEIFER FARM, 9275 Richmond Road, Bangor, PA  18013 - J. H. Keifer Farm is a family run farm raising registered beef cattle for breeding, showing and market. A 2013 National Champion Red Angus heifer was born and raised at the farm. Chickens laying brown eggs, turkeys, a horse and two goats complete the farm.  There will be fitting and hoof trimming demonstrations at 3 p.m., as well as a discussion on animal care, including nutrition and health. From Route 611 in Martins Creek, at top of hill, follow signs for Route 611 "Truck Detour." The detour will bring you onto Richmond Road. Farm is on the right on the hill; farm sign at lane. 

9.       JUNIPERDALE FARMS, 1015 Browntown Road, Nazareth, PA  18064 - Juniperdale Farm is a 20-acre fruit and vegetable farm with a variety of field crops. This is a family farm run by Brian and Eva Fulmer with their children, nieces and nephews. They have a high tunnel to start selling vegetables earlier in the season and a few beef animals. During strawberry season they have a pick-your-own strawberry patch. In fall, they offer pick-your-own pumpkin and hayrides to the patch. The nearest highway is Route 33. If coming from 22 or I-78, take Route 33 north to the Belfast exit. When you come to a four-way stop, turn left and go about 1/2 mile. Turn right on Fulmer Road. From I-80 take Route 33 south to Route 512 exit. Take left onto Route 512 to light and take a right. Proceed two miles and turn left on Fulmer Road.

10.    KLEIN FARMS, 410 Klein Road, Easton, PA  18040 - Klein Farms is a working dairy where they have an onsite store, selling their own raw milk, cheeses and yogurt. Enjoy hayrides to the pumpkin patch, and a free corn maze. Bluegrass music Sunday afternoon. Tours of the dairy barn will be available, as will tours of the creamery. Animal nutrition will be featured in the barn and 4-H members will demonstrate showing dairy cows.  From Braden's Airport in Forks Township, go east on Uhler Road. Go 1/2 mile to traffic light, turn north on Kesslersville Road. Go 1/2 mile; first right to Klein Road.

11.    NORTHAMPTON COUNTY 4-H CENTER, 777 Bushkill Center Road, Nazareth, PA  18064 - The 4-H Center is the focal point for 4-H youth activities in the county -- horse shows, clinics, club activities, and the annual county 4-H Fair. Come on SUNDAY ONLY for a horse show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and their famous chicken Bar-B-Q served from 12 noon on.  From Nazareth, follow Broad Street north 3.5 miles from 248.  Broad Street becomes Bushkill Center Road.  The 4-H Center is on the left.  From Wind Gap, take Route 512 to traffic light at Bushkill Center.  Turn south and follow for 2.2 miles.  The center is on the right. 

12.    POINT PHILLIP PERENNIALS, 2764 West Scenic Drive, Danielsville, PA  18038 - Point Phillip Perennials has two acres of gardens composed of many unusual plants and perennials, trees and shrubs. Guided garden walks will be given throughout the day with an emphasis on late season care of plants. Many very rare and unusual plants will be discussed. From Klecknersville, turn on Point Phillip Road and make an immediate left on Delps Road. Go to stop sign at bottom of hill and turn left on West Scenic Drive. Pass two houses and turn into parking with large garden flag.

13.    PURPLE HAZE ALPACAS, 790 Slate Belt Boulevard, Bangor, PA  18013 - For over 13 years Purple Haze Alpacas has strived for the finest quality alpacas and best bloodlines in the Northeast with blue ribbons and championships to prove it. Best 100% fiber and yarn, sweaters, hats, socks, shawls, etc. Live music and refreshments, plus local honey and artists. Spinning demonstration. Arlene and Marcel will answer questions about benefits of starting with good quality alpacas. Take pictures and feed alpacas. One block off Route 512 between Bangor and Pen Argyl. At the light by Blue Valley Diner, turn onto Bangor Junction Road. Go one block and turn right onto Slate Belt Boulevard. Farm is on the left across from the Slate Belt Nursing Home. 

14.     RAUB FARMS, 1459 Tatamy Road, Easton, PA  18045 - The family has been farming in Palmer Township since 1928. The farm offers fresh fruits and vegetables from June through December. There are free range brown eggs year round; corn maze, hayride, pumpkin patch in the fall. From Route 33, take the Stockertown exit. Turn right onto Route 191, Industrial Boulevard. Turn right onto Main Street; Main Street becomes Sullivan Trail. Turn right onto Uhler Road; Uhler Road becomes Main Street. Turn left at the bridge that is closed. Turn right onto Bushkill Street. Turn left onto Main Street. Turn left onto 8th Street; 8th Street becomes Tatamy Road. The farm is on the left.

15.    RC SONS GARDEN CENTER & GREENHOUSES, 5880 Front Street, Easton, PA  18040 (outside Martins Creek) - Relax with scenic country view of the family-owned and operated garden center and greenhouses. Offering thousands of fall mums, pumpkins, ornamental cabbage, snow pansies, unique perennials, shrubs, trees and aquatic plants and fish. Tour the mum field and garden center. The children will love the fish and lily ponds. Educational displays and gardening information will be available. From Route 33, take Stockertown exit (Route 191). Go to traffic light on Main Street in Stockertown, turn right. Go to next light (Uhler Road) and make a left. Go through next light and stop sign. Go down hill and to top of next hill. Garden Center is on left.

16.    SEIPLE FARMS, 5761 Nor-Bath Boulevard, Bath, PA  18014 - Seiple Farms is a fifth generation farm celebrating over 120 years. You can take a hayride out to their 25-acre pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn and more. They also have farm animals, a corn maze, haunted barn, pony rides and concession stands. They also offer week-day field trips. From Route 22 take Airport Road (north exit) for about five miles to Route 329 west (Nor-Bath Boulevard). They are 1/4 mile on the right side.

17.    SPRING VALLEY FARMS, 750 Mount Pleasant Road, Bangor, PA 18013 - Preserved dairy farm with a new 84-cow free-stall barn and a double-six milking parlor. Farm-grown corn and hay are fed to the dairy herd. Their own ice cream and sundae bar will be available for sale. They will tell the story of where milk comes from, complete with handouts for children and adults. They will also be doing a "making butter" demonstration. Visit the booth with Dr. Gardner on animal nutrition and farm safety. See the new environmentally friendly manure handling system. From Route 191 head east on Flicksville Road. Continue onto Mount Pleasant Road. Farm is on the right. From Route 611 head west on Upper Little Creek Road. Continue onto Mount Pleasant Road. The farm is on the left.

18.    TRUE BLUE FARM, 8720 Rasley Hill Road, Bangor, PA  18013 - True Blue Farm is an 82-acre hay, beef, pumpkin and produce farm, farmed by the Burkholder family since the 1800's. The farm raises and sells grass-fed Galloway beef, hay, straw, pumpkins, mums, honey and produce. Their farm will have pumpkin fields for pick-your-own pumpkins, hayrides and a straw bale maze for the kids. They will also have beekeeping demonstrations, tours of their Pennsylvania-style barn, farm animal petting areas and a display of hay-making equipment. From Easton, take Route 611 north to Martins Creek. Turn right at the light. Left on Lower Little Creek Road, go approximately two miles. Make a left onto Rasley Hill Road. The farm is on top of the hill on the left.   

19.    Z ARCH BARN FARM, 10 Klein Road, Easton, PA  18040 - Z Arch Barn Farm is a small Christmas tree farm. They also raise reindeer. They are open seasonally for Christmas tree and wreath sales and photos with Santa. Tour their unique bank barn, visit reindeer, walk their tree fields and enjoy a great view of the countryside. Reindeer facts will be available and questions are always welcome. From intersection at Sullivan Trail and Uhler Road near Bradens Airport in Forks Township, Go east on Uhler Road 1/2 mile to traffic light. Turn left at light onto Kesslersville Road. Go 1/2 mile to Klein Road. Turn right, go approximately one mile, farm is on the right.

For more information visit extension.psu.edu/Northampton or call (610) 746-1970.