|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
The Farm:
Munnell Run Farm is a 163-acre working farm owned by the County of Mercer and managed by the Munnell Run Farm Foundation, Inc. with the support of the Mercer County Conservation District. It is located 1 mile north of Mercer, PA on State Route 58 West. Visitors to MRF have an opportunity to explore the interactions of agriculture and ecology in a real-world setting. Featuring outdoor, hands-on activities designed to meet PA Chapter 4 Academic Standards, Munnell Run Farm Foundation, Inc. received the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence in Education and Outreach in 2003. MRF depends on grants and donations for its educational programs, maintenance, and infrastructure improvements.
Munnell Run Farm gets its name from the stream that flows through the property. Although to date we can't verify which Munnell the stream is named after, it has been said that they occupied a farm just south of the existing Munnell Run Farm property. We will continue to look for records that indicate the name(s) of that family and would appreciate any information that anyone may have on their history. For those that enjoy history, there is an interesting account of the Battle of the Mine, Capture, and Escape to Union Lines originally written by John J. Munnell of Company F, 100 Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers. This can be viewed at the following site: http://www.100thpenn.com/munnellescape.htm |
|
|
|
|
Munnell Run Farm Today |
| |
|
|
|
|
History of the Property:
MRF is a remnant of the agricultural land that surrounded and supported the Mercer County Home and Hospital. In 2002 Munnell Run Farm Foundation, Incorporated and signed a 99-year lease and conservation easement with the Mercer County Commissioners, granting operational control of the farm to the foundation. |
|
Oats harvesting from the past at MRF |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Partnerships:
MRF collaborates with many other groups to foster conservation, education, and a sense of community. The groups include Rains Angus, the Mercer County Historical Society, Trout Unlimited, the Girl Scouts, and the Mercer County Conservation District. |
|
|
|
|
TU Nursery Stocking |
| |
|
|
|
|
Highlighting Resource Conservation & Utilization:
MRF is an active beef farm situated in the Munnell Run Watershed within Mercer County. Munnell Run is a headwater tributary of Neshannock Creek. The farm serves as a venue to protect and enhance the soil and water resources of Munnell Run Watershed while educating others about the benefits of sound rural land use. |
|
MRF Cattle |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Tour of Property:
Visit the key elements of the integrated conservation system in place at Munnell Run Farm. This includes a walk-it-yourself guide to the areas of interest at the farm. Click for printable farm guide and map.
|
|
|
|
|
Touring the Farm |
| |
|
|
|
|
Riparian Enhancement and Stewardship Forest:
Over twenty-eight acres of trees have been reestablished on once marginal pastureland. Eighteen acres are dedicated to a Stewardship Forest focusing on hardwood tree species. The remaining 10-plus acres have been planted in the riparian corridor of Munnell Run that has been fenced to limit livestock access to the stream. For more information, click here. |
|
Planting Trees |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Children’s Vegetable and Ornamental Garden:
Annual vegetable and ornamental plants are cultivated in raised beds at the farm. Young visitors explore healthy soil and small-scale organic production in this fenced garden. A large portion of the annual crop is harvested and sold at local farm markets. Income generated from the sales is used to supplement education programs at the farm. |
|
|
|
|
Children's Garden |
| |
|
|
|
Regional Food Venture at Munnell Run Farm:
The Regional Food Venture is a shared kitchen and creamery that is based on the business incubator concept. Farmers, market gardeners and other entrepreneurs can initiate a business venture by adding value to their raw commodities in a safe environment without having to invest in their own facility. The goal is to create a creamery and commercial kitchen incubator where producers from the surrounding region can add value to their milk, vegetable and fruit commodities. Cheese, yogurt, butter or other dairy products or jams, jellies, salsas, and other vegetable or fruit product will be produced, packaged, and marketed here. |
 |
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Children
|
![Click to Expand or Collapse Section]()
|
|
Staff
|
![Click to Expand or Collapse Section]()
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Contact Us - 753 Greenville Road – Mercer, PA 16137 – 724-662-2242
|
|
|