Flinchbaugh’s Orchard
Farm Fresh Produce Straight from the Source
Ever since the dawn of the industrial revolution,
it’s been increasingly difficult to keep the
next generation on the farm. But Sonia and Ritchie
Flinchbaugh have managed to do it with sons Michael
and Andrew and daughter Julie.
The Flinchbaugh family features three generations
of farmers; each holds an agriculture or horticulture
degree from Penn State University and plans a
future maintaining the family farm tradition.
“There’s room enough for all of us on the farm.
We all have our niche, our role to fill,” patriarch Ritchie says.
Julie is the farm market manager.
Sonia handles accounting.
Michael and Andrew grow hay
and Ritchie maintains the orchards.
Grandmother Louise is a
fixture at the family’s on-site
farm market where she
helps customers.
“I always wanted to be a farmer my whole life.
We all have,” Andrew says. “There’s something
really gratifying about growing things. And our
parents have grown the business so there’d be
something here for us when we were ready.”
The Flinchbaugh children started their careers
when they were in grade school. Ritchie set aside
an acre and they grew pumpkins that they sold at
the farm.
“It was very gradual. We took on responsibility and
made decisions here and there. They gave us those
chances to learn,” Michael says.
The Flinchbaughs are always improving their techniques,
always looking for a better way to get their
jobs done. They also support area farmers like the
nearby Dietz family’s produce farm and the Perrydell
family’s dairy. The three families sell each
other’s fruits and vegetables, ice cream and milk at
their respective retail operations.
“Our philosophy is to work really hard at what
you’re good at,” Sonia says. “And build good relationships
with your neighbors.”
Click here for other farm market listings.
|
