They say, “You can take the girl off the farm, but you can’t take the farm out of the girl.” I take pride in the fact that this saying fits me perfectly.
I was born and raised on a family farm in Central Pennsylvania and spent wayyyy more time outdoors than in. I spent summers helping my grandmother weed her vegetable and flower gardens, picking rocks for my Uncle (no lie!) and drinking sweet tea on a shaded porch while hummingbirds visited. As I reflect on that time with nostalgia, I am truly grateful for the agricultural experiences that I had in my formative years.
As a result of that rural upbringing, I have a soft spot today for farm fresh produce (there’s nothing like fresh sweet corn and picking sweet strawberries and blueberries in the summer) and home-baked goods (give me a whoopie pie for breakfast and I’m a happy girl!). I also admire people who are hard-working and authentic, because of the strong work ethic that so often defines farm life.
Farmers are the unsung heroes in our communities – working long hours, every day, in every season – so we can conveniently drive to a market and purchase fresh fruits and veggies. They don’t get paid time off, vacations are few, and worries (like dealing with pests and Mother Nature) are many.
In this blog post, we’re going to highlight a few of the farm fresh treasures in the SRV. There are many, many more than this list, but we are highlighting SRVVB members. If you’re an ag-related business, consider joining as a member. Contact us at 570-524-7320 or email info@visitcentralpa.org.
Farmers Markets
Selinsgrove Farmers Market – Now open for the season, the market is set up on the corner of Pine Street and Market Street every Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. from mid-May through December. In addition to farm and retail vendors, this market features lives music and often has a fun craft or activity for the kiddos. Expect to find produce, plants, honey, meat, eggs, fresh flowers and artisan crafters, but the vendors do change so check out their Facebook page for an updated list each week.
Hot tip: If it’s a nice day, bring your bike along and bike through the picturesque Isle of Que, a neighborhood located on the banks of the Susquehanna River.
Lewisburg Farmers Market – Open every Wednesday, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m., year-round, rain or shine, warm or chilly, this is the largest farmer’s market in the region with more than 100 vendors including produce, meats, flowers and plants, baked goods, retail vendors, both inside and outside under a large pavilion. The market also offers food vendors offering breakfast foods, French fries, hot sausage sandwiches, and to-go hot food items. Farmers faithfully bringing their harvests each week, artisans share their crafts, and small, local 
vendors offer a glimpse of farm life. Check their Facebook page for updates each week.
The PA Dutch community is ever-present at this market, so it’s commonplace for kids and adults to serve you (and make change). Be patient with the kids as they’re learning!
Hot tip: Bring a cooler on hot days, so you don’t need to worry about meats, cheeses or other refrigerated items spoiling in your car. Try to shop for those items last.
Sunbury Market House –
Open on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Market Street, this indoor market offers local produce, meats, baked goods, and crafts in a community-focused setting. It has operated continuously for over 125 years and is known for its butchers, bakers, and unique vendors.
Hot tip: There is convenient parking behind the market in a municipal lot.
Susquehanna Valley Growers Market – Open on Fridays, May through October, from 2-6 p.m. in downtown Lewisburg (6th Street), this growers-only market consists of seasonal produce, flowers, meats, and owner-made items. While much smaller than the Lewisburg Farmers Market, shoppers can rest assured that all items are grown by, and not shipped in from vendors. They often feature local singer-songwriters as part of the experience, as well. Check out their Facebook page for current producers.
Country Markets
There’s a lot to love about country stores: they are a one-stop-shop for produce, bulk items, and usually quick to-go items like sandwiches.
Dewart Country Store is a gem in the heart of Dewart, known for its bulk foods, homemade baked goods, seasonal produce, and a deli that sells hoagies, cheesesteaks, pizza and smoothies.
Heimbach’s Country Store in Selinsgrove is a local grocery store that has been serving the valley since 1983, and is known for homemade baked goods, deli meats and cheeses, bulk foods and locally crafted gifts. Shade Mountain Winery also has a presence here. The vibe is definitely charming, cozy and welcoming with a focus on down-home hospitality.
Ponduce Farms in Catawissa is a family-owned farm market and restaurant that offers a robust deli and to-go area, fresh baked goods, and farm-to-table comfort foods, all in a casual atmosphere. They also host special events in the fall and winter like a Santa Breakfast and fresh Christmas trees and wreaths. One of the few event planning spaces in Catawissa, they are large enough for large family events like reunions and weddings. Hot tip: They take special orders for decorated sheet cakes (you tell them the theme) and the prices are really reasonable.
Local Growers
Bridge Avenue Berries – If picking your own berries is your “jam” (pun intended!) then you have to check this place out, off of Route 15 in Allenwood. This 6-acre Certified Naturally Grown blueberry farm is owned by Harry and Susan Jones, and offers a unique family-friendly experience that is also free of synthetic chemicals. They focus on sustainable practices including organic fertilizers, and environmentally safe pest control methods. The farm is open mid-June to August and also sells frozen berries. Read more about this sustainable blueberry farm in this Lancaster Farming article.
Green’s Fruit Farm - Owned by Bobby and Sara Hricko, the orchard produces more than 40 varieties of fruit including apples, peaches, nectarines, cherries, plums, and pears. The orchard has been producing fruit for nearly 80 years. The history of the farm is noted on their website. They also make fruit butters, applesauce, and jellies.
They use a method called Eco-Certification that focuses on holistically building ecosystem health. They work to build soil health, protect pollinators and beneficial predators, minimize chemical use and conserve energy and water. They also utilize a pest management technique called Integrated Pest Management (IPM) which they explain on their website.
Read more about Green Fruit Farm’s scientific approach to farming in this Lancaster Farming article.
You can find them at the orchard (pick your own, seasonally), at the Boalsburg Market, the Lewisburg Farmers Market, and at their Farm Store, located 1 mile north of the Route 54/487 intersection in Elysburg, off of Route 487.
Northhill Orchard and Supply - is a pick-your-own fruit farm offering a wide variety of seasonal favorites. In mid-June, cherry season begins. In July you can find plums and some early apples and peaches. August is the biggest month for freestone peaches. Late August through early September pears are available. Apple picking starts in August and goes through mid- to late-October depending on the year. Starting in mid-August and ending in October, Northhill offers a number of family-friendly activities such as hayrides, corn maze, apple slinging, 
remote controlled boat rentals and flower picking.
They also have a pumpkin patch where you can pick your own pumpkin (not grown on the farm, but sourced locally). Enjoy their picnic and play area, and meet some of the furry residents. These activities go to the end of the season. On Saturdays, chicken bar-b-q, 3 pc. chicken dinners, donuts (and sometimes soft pretzels), cider and peach slushies are sold. This is agritourism at its best! For much more information, visit their website.
Local Dairies
Mapes Farm Fresh - Over the past 35 years (now in its third generation!) the Mapes family has developed their herd of Brown Swiss cows, known for giving milk that is higher in butter fat and protein.
In their Farm Store, they sell their own bottled creamline milk, chocolate milk (a HUGE favorite in our family!), seasonal flavors of milk (strawberry and maple to name a few), cheese, yogurt, ice cream, farm raised chicken, pork and beef, eggs, and fresh baked bread. They are open Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.2 p.m.
Read more about this 3rd generation Dairy farm in this Lancaster Farming article.
Follow them on Facebook to see an up-close-and-personal view of farm life, thanks to the current owner Jennifer Mapes.
Old Mill Creamery - is a single-family farm that has been producing quality A2-A2 milk (which is easier to digest for people who have sensitivities) for the wholesale market since 1993, milking approximately 58 cows year-round.
As the family has grown, they have been looking for opportunities to grow the business. After many years of studying and research, they put in a dairy processing plant and started producing a local brand of ice cream and bottled milk, along with yogurts and drinkable yogurts.
Read more about this Creamery in this Lancaster Farming article.
Follow them on Facebook for current flavors and specials.
Want to be your own grower?
The region boasts dozens and dozens of greenhouses and flower farms. Here are two of our faves, both offering healthy, beautiful plants for your home, garden and landscape.
Warning: you will go with a list and you will leave with a trunk full of sunshine!
Engle’s Farm & Greenhouses in Middleburg
Reiff’s Nursery & Greenhouses in Mifflinburg
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