Each year, farms throughout the county “open their gates” to the public to help educate the community on what they do.

The community is invited to discover a variety of farms that are growing fruits and vegetables, making cheese and yogurt, training horses, raising alpacas and much more 1-5 p.m. on Oct. 15.

For the most up-to-date information, visit extension.psu.edu and search for “Open Gate.”

·Heidel Hollow Farm, 7419 Saegersville Road, Heidelberg Township.

The fourth and fifth generations of the Fink family invite you to their farm in Heidelberg Township. Energy to run the farm is from the 200kw solar array. Farm products grown here could end up on your dinner table or be loaded on ocean vessels to feed horses and cows. Computerized big bale hay processing system will be demonstrated. Mike Fink grows over 1,000 acres of vegetables - broccoli, sweet corn, tomatoes and pumpkins for local stores. Children can do the hay maze and test their knowledge with the Wheel of Ag. The Rural Preservation Association will have a food court featuring locally grown food and a bake sale.

Take Route 309 North to Pleasant Corners. Turn right on Bake Oven Road. Bear right on Saegersville Road. Follow Saegersville Road through two stop signs. Destination on right.

·Venture Farms, 5728 Fritzinger Road, Germansville.

This self-contained horse farm grows their own hay. They board, lease, do pony parties, trail rides and breed some Quarter Horses, Appaloosas, mini horses, and donkeys. They offer a free hayride and petting zoo. Pony or horse rides will be available for a fee.

From Farm 1, turn right onto Saegersville Road. Slight left onto Best Station Road. Turn right onto Church Road. Turn left onto Fritzinger Road. Destination on the left.

·Eight Oaks Craft Distillers, 7189 Route 309, New Tripoli.

This farm distillery, situated on a 300-acre farm, has 50 acres devoted to grain grown for their spirits. They grow corn, rye, wheat and barley that are all non-GMO. Guests will be able to tour the still and the farmland. Samples and cocktails will be available.

From Farm 2, turn left onto Fritzinger Road. Turn left onto Bake Oven Road. Turn right onto Buckery Road. Turn left onto Central Road. Turn right onto Memorial Road. Turn right onto Route 309 North. Destination on the right.

·Subarashi Kudamono, 5452 Holstein Drive, Kempton.

This farm has grown gourmet Asian pears for more than 30 years. Not normally open to the public, they look forward to welcoming the public to see their pear trees and the wonderful fruit they produce.

From Farm 3, turn left onto Route 309 South. Turn right onto Route 143 North. Turn left onto Madison Street. Continue on Schochary Road. Turn right onto Sechler Road. Turn right onto Kistler Valley Road. Turn left on Route 863. Slight right onto Holstein Drive. Destination on the right.

·Lyon Creek Farm, 3502 Blacksmith Road, New Tripoli.

Four generations farm hay, corn, wheat, soybeans, sweet corn, produce, pumpkins, winter squash and fall ornamentals. There will be guided walking tours, pick your own pumpkins, farm equipment and antique tractor displays and farm animals. Try pumpkin bowling, pumpkin painting, and other activities.

From Farm 4, turn left onto Holstein Drive. Turn right onto Golden Key Road/Route 863. Make a left onto Briar Edge Road. Turn left onto Blacksmith Road. Destination on the left.

·Willow Haven Farm, 7686 Herber Road, New Tripoli.

This farm features a farm market and brick oven. They grow vegetables and raise animals using only organic methods. Enjoy brick oven pizza, hayrides and guided tours.

From Farm 5, turn left onto Blacksmith Road. Turn right onto Werleys Corner Road. Turn left onto Herber Road. Destination on the right.

·Weathered Vineyards, 7670 Carpet Road, New Tripoli.

This 26-acre farm and vineyard has five acres of cultivated grapes, 10 acres of soybean with the rest remaining forested. They will be giving tours of the winery and vineyard, explaining why and how they use trellis system to ensure healthy grapes. Wine tasting will be available.

From Farm 6, make a left onto Herber Road. Turn left onto Weisenberg Church Road. Turn left onto Holbens Valley Road. Turn right onto Route 100 South. Turn right onto Lyon Valley Road. Turn right onto Carpet Road. Destination will be on the left.

·Gress Mountain Ranch, 3264 Highland Road, Orefield,

This public charity, houses large, small, and exotic animals in a sanctuary. The animals become therapy animals and help people improve their self-worth and communications skills. There will be baked goods, handmade alpaca and llama fleece items, food stands, pony, horse and donkey cart rides, petting zoo, yard sale, and raffle.

From Farm 7, make a right onto Carpet Road. Turn left onto Lyon Valley Road. Turn right onto Route 309 South. Turn left onto Kernsville Road. Sharp left onto Weidasville Road. Slight right onto Highland Road. Destination on the left.

·Manito Equestrian Center, 2160 N. Cedar Crest Blvd., South Whitehall.

This 60-acre horse farm and riding school is also the site of Manito Life Center, a nonprofit organization offering equine-assisted activities to individuals experiencing trauma and children and adults with a variety of special needs. There will be walking tours, refreshments, and grooming demonstrations. Tour participants will observe a benefit horse show in progress and will have a walking tour of the farm.

From Farm 8, turn right onto Highland Road. Slight left onto Weidasville Road. Slight left onto Kernsville Road. Kernsville Road turns into Orefield Road. Turn right onto Ritter Road. Turn right onto North Cedar Crest Boulevard. Destination on right.

·Burnside Plantation, 1461 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem.

Established in 1748, this farm was the first privately owned home of Bethlehem Moravians James and Mary Burnside. The plantation features the original farmhouse, barns and farm buildings dating to the mid-1800s.

From Farm 9, make a right onto Cedar Crest Boulevard. Turn left to merge onto Route 22 East toward Bethlehem. Take the Schoenersville Road exit. Bear left at the Wawa to stay on Schoenersville Road. Farm on the left.

·Flint Hill Farm, 1922 Flint Hill Road, Coopersburg.

This is a 26-acre nonprofit agricultural education center and dairy. There will be hay wagon rides to the pumpkin patch, pony rides, tours, food stands and face painting. There will also be performances by Dave Fry and the Godfrey Daniel.

From Farm 10, make a left onto Schoenersville Road. Bear left onto Eaton Avenue. Make left onto 8th Avenue. Take the Route 378 South exit. Follow 378 through Bethlehem. Make a left onto Landis Mill Road. Turn right onto Taylor Drive. Turn left onto Flint Hill Road. Make a right onto Forest Drive and destination will be on the left.

·Hausman Fruit Farm, 2824 Limeport Pike, Coopersburg.

Family owned and operated, this farm is currently raising the fifth generation of farmers. Take a free hayride to pick pumpkins. There will be baked goods, apples, canned fruit, jams, jellies, pumpkins, fall décor, and mums. Activities include cider pressing, apple butter making and more.

From Farm 11, make a left onto Forest Drive. Turn right onto Passer Road. Turn left onto Main Street. Turn right onto Mill Road. Turn left onto Blue Church Road South. Turn right onto Beverly Hills Road. Turn left onto Limeport Pike. Destination on the right.

·Marwell Dairy Farm, 2072 Cassell Road, Coopersburg.

A dairy, crop, and hog operation with 224 owned acres and more than 1,000 acres farmed, this farm is a partnership between Robert Gehman and his sons Barry and Bob Jr. and Barry’s son, Wendell. They grow corn, soybeans, wheat, rye, hay, and pumpkins. They also have a peach orchard.

From Farm 12, turn left onto Limeport Pike. Slight right onto Bell Gate Road. Slight right to stay on Bell Gate Road. Turn right onto Dietz Lane. Turn left onto Urffers Road. Turn right onto Cassell Road. Destination on the right.

·Pappy’s Orchard, 2576 Cassell Road, Coopersburg.

Pappy’s has been serving the community with pride for five generations. The orchard is home to rows of beautiful apple and stone fruit trees, fruit and vegetable patches and fruit bushes.

From Farm 13, turn right onto Cassel Road. Turn right to stay on Cassel Road. Farm on the left.

·Kraussdale Alpacas, 5169 Kraussdale Road, East Greenville.

Kraussdale raises alpacas and produces yarn from their fiber. Spinning, weaving and felting demonstrations.

From Farm 14, turn left onto Cassel Road. Turn left onto Spinnerstown Road. Turn right onto County Lin Road. Turn right onto Kings Highway. Turn left onto Kraussdale Road. Farm on right.

·The Seed Farm, 5854 Vera Cruz Road, Emmaus.

This nonprofit, educational and working farm operates a new farmer training program and farm business incubator on 42 acres of preserved farmland. Circle of Seasons Charter School will present children’s activities. Snacks and drinks will be available.

From Farm 15, turn left onto Kraussdale Road. Turn left onto Kings Highway. Turn right onto Vera Cruz Road South. Farm on the left.

·Boots and Saddle Riding Club, 2850 Fish Hatchery Road, Allentown.

This riding club is managed and maintained by its members. Tour the barn, and there will be walking tours, face painting and attend the horse show.

From Farm 16, turn left onto Vera Cruz Road. Vera Cruz Road turns into Quarry Drive North and then Pennsylvania Avenue. Turn left onto S. 10th Street. Turn left onto Chestnut Street. Turn right onto Route 29 North. Turn right onto Fish Hatchery Road. Farm on the right.

·Haines Mill Museum, 3600 Haines Mill Road, South Whitehall.

Haines Mill has stood on the Cedar Creek since Colonial times (circa 1850). Haines Mill Museum offers a trip into the world of technology that supported early farm life.

From Farm 17, turn left onto Fish Hatchery road. Turn right onto Cedar Crest Boulevard. Turn left onto Route 222 South. Turn right onto Haines Mill Road. Destination will be on the right.

·Grim’s Orchard and Family Farms, 9941 Schantz Road, Breinigsville.

Grim’s operates on 100 acres, which includes a 5-acre corn maze, 25 acres of pick-your-own orchard, 20 acres of pick-your-own pumpkins, strawberry patch, gourds, jack-be-littles, and more.

From Farm 18, turn left onto Haines Mill Road. Turn right onto Route 222 South. Follow 222 South through Trexlertown. Make right onto Grim Road. Turn left onto Schantz Road.