The Seed Farm (TSF) was initially developed by Lehigh County and Penn State Cooperative Extension with the support of a three-year USDA grant.

 

A primary goal of the organization for Lehigh County was to support the farmland preservation program by cultivating the next generation of farmers to take over Lehigh County’s preserved farmland. Since 1989, Lehigh County has invested over $23 million (along with $55 million of state funds) to preserve over 26,000 acres of farmland. With its MOU with The Seed Farm, Lehigh County dedicated the use of the Seem Seed Farm to protecting that substantial investment by training new farmers to strengthen our food security and local economy while protecting our natural resources.

 

Since 2010, TSF has provided intensive, full-season training in production, marketing, business planning, and equipment operation to over 30 beginning farmers who are looking to start farms; and eight farm businesses have been launched in our agricultural incubator, which is located on the farm site in Upper Milford Township. Additional experiential and educational activities have enabled us to deliver valuable skills in sustainable agriculture practices to hundreds of farmers, gardeners, and community members.

 

The Seed Farm’s unique mission and impact have led to the ongoing support of the community. In addition to our programming, The Seed Farm’s annual Farm-to-Table Dinner and Spring Plant Sale are much-anticipated events that bring together foodies, farmers, and gardeners in support of a shared goal: ensuring the future of agriculture.

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In 2019, The Seed Farm took a big step to serve a wider audience and secure a more financially sustainable future by merging with Community Action Lehigh Valley. At that point, Lehigh County transferred the MOU for the site to Community Action, and the training and incubator programs became part of Second Harvest Food Bank. The Seed Farm, now invigorated with a dynamic and financially stable parent organization, is poised to protect Lehigh County’s preserved farmland, yield significant ongoing and additional economic benefits to the local agricultural community, and launch farm entrepreneurs while providing better access to fresh food in the Lehigh Valley.