Bucks Co. Farm Earns 'Century' Designation From PA Department Of Agriculture

BEDMINSTER, PA — More than 200 guests gathered this summer at the Rushlyn Farm, located at 4209 Applebutter Road in Bedminster Township, to celebrate a remarkable milestone: the 100th anniversary of the farm’s purchase by J. Paul Rush in 1925.

The event honored a century of continuous ownership by the Rush family and the enduring agricultural legacy that defines the property.

The celebration also featured a special visit by State Representative Shelby Labs, who presented the family with an official Century Farm designation on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Farms owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years are eligible for the designation. A family member must live on the farm, and the property must include at least 10 acres of the original farm or earn more than $1,000 annually from sales of farm products.

In her remarks, Rep. Labs praised the family's long-standing commitment to farming and rural heritage in Plumstead and in Pennsylvania.

“It was a privilege to present the Century Farm certificate as well as a House Citation to the Rush family in recognition of 100 years of dedicated care and stewardship,” said Labs. “Rushlyn is part of our agricultural landscape. It reflects a strong commitment to family, community, and the preservation of Bucks County’s rural heritage.”

A Century of Family Roots

J. Paul Rush purchased the original 52-acre farm on April 2, 1925 — 23 acres in Bedminster Township and 29 acres in neighboring Plumstead Township. Together with his wife, Barbara Wismer Rush, he raised their seven children — Wilmer, Howard, Elsie, Molly, Elwood, Nelson, and Addie — on the land. Today, the descendants of J. Paul and Barbara number over 275 individuals, with approximately 80 attending the centennial celebration. The family gathered not only to honor their roots but to reconnect with the land that shaped their shared history.

Descendants of J. Paul and Barbara Rush. (Courtesy of the Rush family)

Farm Life Through the Generations

In its early years, the farm operated as a typical mixed-use farm of the time, home to dairy cows, pigs, chickens, and horses. Horses were originally used for all planting and harvesting duties, eventually giving way to tractors by the 1940s. A large orchard — featuring apples, cherries, and pears — added to the farm’s self-sufficiency.

In 1954, due to his father’s declining health, Wilmer Rush returned to the farm with his family to take over operations. He officially purchased the 52-acre property in 1957 for $10,500, following J. Paul’s death in 1956. Wilmer and his wife Sallie expanded the dairy operation, focusing on purebred Holstein cattle, and farmed organically for many years. He also played an active role in the agricultural community, serving on the board of the Lehigh Valley Dairy Farmers Cooperative and working as a seed salesman for PAG Seeds.

Health challenges eventually led Wilmer to scale back. In 1980, his youngest son Mark entered into partnership with him. The dairy herd was sold in 1986, and the farm shifted to crop production. Aware of increasing development pressure in the region, Wilmer preserved 29 acres through the Plumstead Township Land Preservation Program in the late 1990s.

Carrying the Legacy Forward

On January 26, 1994, ownership of the remaining 23 acres in Bedminster Township passed to Mark Rush, who continues to live on and care for the land.

After selling 12 acres for development, the remaining 11 acres are now used to produce hay, serving the needs of local horse farms. While several new structures have been added, many original buildings — including the farmhouse and the historic bank barn — still stand as proud symbols of the farm’s enduring past.

Mark Rush and Addie Gehman, the sole surviving child of J. Paul and Barbara Rush. (Courtesy of the Rush family)

Looking Ahead

Rushlyn Farm stands as more than just a piece of land — it is a living testament to the values of stewardship, resilience, and family. As generations continue to grow and new stories unfold, the legacy of J. Paul and Barbara Rush remains rooted in the soil, branches, and memories of this cherished place.