Practice gardening, pick your own produce and, of course, enjoy the fruits of Lehigh Valley on one of these flourishing farms. From wine to wheat, it's growing on the rolling hills right outside the ABE city limits. But the region's variety of fresh and local offerings doesn't stop there—spend a morning at one of Lehigh Valley's beloved farmers' markets and stock up on locally grown produce, poultry and meats, cheeses, fresh baked goods, wine and so much more. Don't miss the Easton Farmers' Market, which is the oldest, continuous open-air market in the country.
Grim's Orchard & Family Farms
From a modest handful of acres growing cereals and raising chickens, Grim's has built itself into a pick-your-own paradise. From strawberries and cherries to more than 20 varieties of apples and veggies added during the pandemic when grocery stores were an unwelcome atmosphere, the fields and orchards invite you in. Pick your own potatoes and have them transformed into fries before your eyes! The annual Fall Festival offers much more than pumpkins, with hayrides and a corn maze being just the beginning.
Klein Farms Dairy & Creamery
Family-owned and -operated since 1935, Klein Farms' cheeses, milk and yogurt are a staple of health food stores across the region. The farm produces 95 percent of the feed for their cows on over 200 acres of land. At the dairy store on site, you can also find meat, raw milk, local eggs and bakery items, along with the Happy Holstein Ice Cream counter, with 20-plus flavors made with fresh cream. Relax with a cone and say hello to resident goats, sheep, ducks, chickens, turkeys and mules.
Unangst Tree Farm
From its start as a grain and dairy farm in the 1850s, Unangst Tree Farm has become a holiday hotspot since 1984, going from 500 Christmas trees to 20,000. In the fall, a pumpkin patch, petting zoo and one-acre corn maze make Unangst a festive destination, and since the pandemic they've opened their farm to visitors in the warm weather months, too, to feast at food trucks on Wednesday nights. Nellie's Homemade Pies, Greek Street, Bananarama and many more have pulled into the lot to feed folks enjoying hayrides and live music.
Easton Urban Farm
With a mission to provide healthy food, gardening and cooking education, and opportunities for involvement, the Easton Urban Farm is a community-based effort that has produced and distributed over 6,000 pounds of produce in the past two years, selling at seasonal markets and donating to food pantries. Volunteers of all ages are invited to participate, so if you're into empowering communities with locally grown produce and want to learn how to garden, get in touch!
Flint Hill Farm
Flint Hill is much more than a farm store with cow, goat and sheep dairy like nutty Manchego cheese and yogurt smoothies. The non-profit is dedicated to connecting urban and suburban communities to the agricultural world, offering lessons in cheesemaking, Colonial crafts like candle making and spinning wool, and summer camps for kids. The 1850 farmhouse doubles as a B&B with the freshest breakfast imaginable.
The Seed Farm
Many of the area's local CSAs and farmers' market regulars, like Easton's Hunter Hill, the Good Farm in Germansville and Bee Well Blooms flower farm in Coopersburg, got their start with apprenticeship at The Seed Farm in Emmaus. Not everyone has the land and agricultural lineage to segue smoothly into the farm life they might aspire to, but The Seed Farm provides that land, equipment and training, incubating farm businesses to sustain the future of local food.
Bechdolt Orchards
Still in the family since it started on a few acres in 1947, Bechdolt Orchards offers a wide range of seasonal crops including the juicy peaches, apples and pears sold fresh and as homemade fruit butters, apple cider, sauces, jams, jellies and syrups. Like a cozy general store, the recently remodeled farm stand adjacent is replete with produce as well as jarred items like ketchup and pasta sauce from the farm's tomatoes.
Lehigh Valley American Viticultural Area
The climate in Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas has lent itself well to the many wineries speckling the hills. A good environment for Riesling, Seyval blanc and “jewel of Lehigh Valley” Chambourcin, the region has earned designation as an American Viticultural Area, joining the likes of the Finger Lakes and Napa Valley. All the more reason to take a jaunt to one (or several) of our surrounding vineyards, from Folino Estate to Franklin Hill.
Red Cat Farm
Known for growing heritage grains and wheats, Red Cat Farm supplies rolled oats, wheatberries and pancake mix to local markets like Crooked Row and Radish Republic. These grains can be easier on those with gluten sensitivities and are raised GMO-free without harsh chemicals. Red Cat also produces a selection of organic spring starter plants sold at The Mill in Germansville through June, ranging from many types of tomatoes and peppers to interesting options like anise, tobacco and cotton.
This post is a sponsored collaboration between Discover Lehigh Valley and Lehigh Valley Style.
