Preservation Steps - Orchard Valley Farm

Due to the rain, our originally scheduled date has moved to Sunday, October 1st.

Earl Brown and his son, Stan, had a vision when buying this dairy farm in the early seventies - to produce the best fruit in southern York County. Through hard work and income from the rest of their operation, that vision came to fruition. Scott and Dave, Stan’s sons, continued the Brown dream. That sense of family values and tradition continues today with the Strathmeyer family along with their partner, Dave Hopkins, when they purchased the farm in 2021. The idea was simply to continue Brown family’s vision.

The 98-acre farm has strawberries, cherries, red and black raspberries, peaches, apples, pumpkins and soon, Christmas trees – you can’t have a Strathmeyer farm without Christmas trees! Stan planted a big variety, in that way every fruits’ season is extended. One example - apples from late August through November! The farm is set up as a pick your own, it produces more fruit than the public can pick, so the Strathmeyers have developed relationships with local farm markets and stores to sell the fruit.

For this event, you’ll board a wagon and take a tour around the fields, hopping on and off to learn about growing and harvesting the different crops. There is a good chance that there will be peaches and the early apples in season. We will wind up the tour with a stop at our “farm market”.

Stan and Gerrit Strathmeyer were asked by Tony Dobrosky to be on this new board he was forming called the Farmland Trust of York County. Stan has placed much of this farm into preservation with the Trust (now Farm & Natural Lands Trust of York County) along with the rest of their farm in the York County Agricultural Lands Preservation Board. Join us in showing off – and continuing - Stan’s dream.

About FNLT's Preservation Steps: Touring YoCo's Hidden Landscapes, Presented by Glatfelter Insurance Group

These are casual hikes on FNLT preserved properties featuring landowner stories, some education from local experts and information on the importance of preservation by FNLT.  Attendees will be provided snacks, water and some selections from our friends at Brewery Products as well.  No charge for children 12 and under accompanied by an adult.  Special thanks to our Preservation Steps Sponsors: CGA Law Firm, C.S. Davidson, Inc., Stock & Leader - Attorneys At Law  and YC Precision Fabrication!