State Leaders Tout 'Treasure' Of Merrymead Farm During Visit

WORCESTER, PA — The state's top agriculture official visited a fifth-generation, family-run farm in Montgomery County on Wednesday, touting the benefits of agritourism in Pennsylvania.

Russell Redding, Pennsylvania's agriculture secretary, took a trip to Merrymead Farm, one of more than 700 farms across the commonwealth who diversity their farm operations through agritourism, according to Redding's office.

Agritourism is considered the intersection between agriculture and tourism.

"Pennsylvania farmers are entrepreneurs finding innovative ways to strengthen on-farm competitiveness," Redding said in a statement. "Agritourism is a great example of on-farm diversification that increases financial resiliency."

Redding's office says that agritourism strengthens business diversification, increases farm revenue and serves as a "hands-on educational tool to promote consumer awareness and opportunities in agriculture," according to a news release about Redding's tour.

Pennsylvania ranks number 12 in states across the country for the number of agritourism operations, according to Redding's office, and the commonwealth's agritourism sales average $27 million each year and increase income per operation by more than $38,000.

"Agritourism is a great way for farms to highlight the important role they plan in the lives of all Pennsylvanians by providing the food we eat, boosting our economy, and building our cultural identity," Michael Chapaloney, the Department of Community and Economic Development's Executive Director of Tourism, said in a statement. "On-farm agritourism experiences allow visitors to immerse themselves into Pennsylvania's rich food history while creating treasure memories with family and friends."

Chapaloney said that farms who engage in agritourism can benefit through increased clientele and additional revenue streams.

Redding's tour coincided with a bill signed by Gov. Tom Wolf back in June known as the Pennsylvania Agritourism Activity Protection Act, which protects agritourism operations from liability challenges associated with on-farm activities.

The legislation helps to protect farms from civil suits where no party is at fault if businesses warn visitors of the potential risks associated with certain on-farm activities through waivers or legal disclaimers on printed visitor materials.

State Rep. Barb Gleim, a Republican representing a district in Cumberland County, had introduced the proposed legislation as a way to protect agritourism operations.

"Before I became a representative, my family hosted the public on our farm throughout the fall with Halloween-themed events and attractions," Gleim said in a statement. "I know first-hand the work that farmers put into protecting the public, while creating family-friendly events and activities."

Merrymead Farm is a fifth-generation dairy farm and on-farm market that offers agritourism activities to the public such as a corn maze, hayride farm tours, pumpkin and fall activities and other family fun.

It is a staple in the Worcester-Lansdale community that has served local residents and visitors for many decades.