In 2021, the Strathmeyer family purchased the farm from Mary Brown of Brown's Orchard and Farm Market. The Strathmeyers have been working in agriculture for five generations and are famous for their Christmas trees. Keller-Brown Insurance, a fifth-generation family business ourselves, was excited to talk to Gerry Strathmeyer to learn more about Orchard Valley Farm and the Strathmeyer family's deep roots in Pennsylvania agriculture.
Keller-Brown: Your family has a long history with York County agriculture. How did your family get started?
Gerry: My great grandfather, Charles H. Strathmeyer, started in the grocery store business. To complement the business, he would go to the hills around Pinchot Park, cut down cedar trees, put them on the porch, and sell them as Christmas trees. When the Depression hit, he lost everything. That's when my grandfather, Charles W. Strathmeyer, and my father, Fred R. Strathmeyer, started growing the trees and continued to sell them in my grandfather's backyard at 620 Madison Avenue.
Dad helped start the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association and also the National Christmas Tree Association. Dad and mom, Henny, had five children and we all came into the business at some point. Today, the oldest sibling, Fred Jr., works for the Department of Agriculture as the Deputy Secretary for Plant Industry and Consumer Protection. The youngest, Brian, manages Strathmeyer Landscape. The rest of us are members of HF, LLC dba Ground Roots. I have been a member of the York County Farm Bureau and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. I am also a founding board member of the Farm and Natural Lands Trust, past president of The Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association, and past president of the Make a Wish board of York County. Dad always preached to give back to the community and it will give back to you.
Keller-Brown: How do you plan on enhancing Orchard Valley Farm?
Gerry: Our plans right now are to plant some more crops on the farm. We planted strawberries this fall and are planning on planting blueberries this spring. Pears and kiwi and Christmas trees are on the radar. We are also going to continue to enhance the agritainment aspect so that we become the place to go for a family farm fun experience. We had a peach festival in August that included live music and food trucks.
Keller-Brown: This year you purchased the property from Brown's Orchards and Farm Market to create Orchard Valley Farms. How will you and the Brown family continue to work together?
Gerry: If the need is there, we would like to provide Brown's Orchards with fruit from the farm.
Keller-Brown: What fall events do you have coming up and how can people learn about them?
Gerry: Check out our website Pickorchardvalley.com for upcoming events. You can also find us on Facebook. We just had our Harvest Festival, where families come by to pick their own apples and pumpkins and it was a great success. We plan on having pumpkins, including heirlooms, and apples until November. Customers can pick their own or choose from the ones we have pre-picked.
Pictured: Tim Strathemeyer, Gerry's brother, and Sarah Brown of Keller-Brown.
Keller-Brown: What other local businesses do you enjoy supporting and why?
Gerry: We try to support all local businesses, especially the restaurants in downtown York. We believe as our father did: Support those who support you.
Keller-Brown: What do you enjoy most about being a Keller-Bown customer?
Gerry: We are new to the Keller- Brown family, but our experience has been nothing short of spectacular. The entire staff has been helpful and informative. We look forward to a long business and personal relationship.
Get in the fall mood at Orchard Valley Farms
Keller-Brown is excited to welcome Orchard Valley Farms into our family and we're excited to continue serving their insurance needs. Be sure to support them this fall (and throughout the year!) by visiting their fun-filled pumpkin patch or attending one of their events.
Phone number: (717) 850-0079. Call to find out what's ripe and the current field report.
Address: 8773 Yellow Church Rd, Seven Valleys, PA 17360
