Munnell Run Farm – Mercer, PA

About Us

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. Munnell Run Farm gathers its namesake from the stream, which flows through the property. 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 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 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

Click here for directions and a map to Munnell Run Farm Click here for our photo gallery.

Links

Children

Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania

Together with committed adult volunteers, who partner with girls to guide and inspire their growth and achievement, the organization builds girls of confidence, courage and character who make the world a better place.

The Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.