Three Southern Lehigh Farms Participate in Weekend Farm Tour

Pick pumpkins, take a hay ride, visit farms and an orchard.

The once-a-year Open Gate Farm Tour, sponsored by Penn State Extension in Lehigh County, will take place on Sunday, Oct. 16, from 1 to 5 p.m., providing an opportunity to learn about local agriculture.

Three of the 21 sites on this year's tour are in Southern Lehigh -- the Marwell Dairy Farm, Flint Hill Farm, and Pappy's Orchard.

Started 40 years ago, the tour will be held rain or shine. There's no charge to go to any of the sites, though many sell pumpkins and baked goods and offer other activities.

Here are the sites on this year's tour: 

* 2072 Cassel Road, Coopersburg- The dairy and hog farm will have tours of their operation, as well as hayrides and products to sample.

* , 2576 Cassel Road, Coopersburg- The fruit and apple orchards will offer tours, cider press demonstrations, and samples of fresh baked goods from Lisa's Kitchen.

* , 1922 Flint Hill Road, Coopersburg- The 28 acre dairy farm will have a food table, a pumpkin patch, horse-drawn hayrides and pony rides for a fee. You can visit with their goats, cows, pigs, sheep, horses, ducks and chickens.

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

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

* Bear Rock Junction, 7990 Route 309, New Tripoli

* Blue Mountain Vineyards, 7627 Grape Vine Drive, New Tripoli

* Boots and Saddle Riding Club, 2850 Fish Hatchery Road, Allentown

* Burnside Plantation, 1461 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem

* Byler's Farm, 8737 Ashfield Road, Slatington

* Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery, 2415 Route 100, Orefield

* Gress Mountain Ranch, 3264 Highland Road, Orefield

* Grim's Greenhouse and Farm Market, 9941 Schantz Road, Breinigsville

* Heidel Hollow Farm, 7419 Saegersville Road, Slatington

* Hill Crest Farm, 7148 Oriole Road, Germansville

* Lyon Creek Farm, 3502 Blacksmith Road, New Tripoli

* Rainbow Farm, 6707 Scholler Road, New Tripoli

* Schneck Log House, 5081 Route 873, Schnecksville

* Venture Farms, Farms, 5728 Fritzinger Road, Germansville

* Wehr's Fruit Stand and Farm, 3245 Route 309, Orefield

* Willow Haven Farm, 7686 Herber Road, New Tripoli

For a map of the sites on the farm tour, and for directions and additional information on the sites, visit the Penn State Extension website.