The 2023 Franklin Fall Farm Fun Fest was hosted by Oakleigh Dairy Farm in Mercersburg, PA. It took place on September 23, 2023 from 10am-3pm.
Oakleigh Farm is owned and operated by Glenn & Karen Brake and Family. Originally a horse farm, they transitioned to dairy in the early 1900’s, making Glenn the 3rd generation to dairy. In 1952, Glenn’s grandfather built one of the first milking parlors in the county. The Brake family milked in that parlor until a barn fire in December 2019. Thankfully, no animals were hurt in the fire but the barn (minus the parlor) was a total loss. With the help of the local community and many generous neighbors, Oakleigh’s cows were milked at a neighboring farm for 7 months until their barn could be rebuilt. Cows returned home on July 17, 2020 and were milked in the parlor until August 31, 2020 when the milking robots were started. Today, Oakleigh Farm is one of the most automated dairies in PA, featuring 2 Lely Astronaut A5 milking robots, 2 Lely Discovery Collector manure vacuums, and the Lely Vector automated feeding system.
In total, the Brakes farm 400 acres growing corn, wheat, barley, alfalfa, soybeans, and oats; All of which are used to feed the cows. They milk 120 cows, have 25 dry cows, and 115 replacement heifers and calves. Cows have access to the milking robots 24/7 and average 2.8 milkings per day. Milk produced from Oakleigh Farm is marketed through the Maryland & Virginia Milk Co-op.
We look forward to welcoming you to the 2023 Franklin Fall Farm Fun Fest!
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The 2024 Franklin Fall Farm Fun Fest has entered the planning stages.
We look forward to having you come visit the farm on Saturday, September 28, 2024.
Please visit our Farm Fest Facebook page.
For inquiries, call Sarah Meyers, 717-658-3679 or
Denise Ocker, 717-465-4131 or email farmbureaufranklincounty@gmail.com.
Year Host Location Companion Location
1991
Hamilton Heights Dairy Farm
Hillside Poultry Farm
1992
Five Forks Fruit
Roy Biesecher Dairy
1993
Dice Statler Dairy Farm
Nibble with Gibbles
1994
Gro-Lan Dairy Farms
P & C Ostrich Ranch
1995
Pleasant Valley Jerseys
Lehman's Egg Service
1996
1997
Glenn Fisher Dairy Farm
Mount Parnell Fish Hatchery
Joseph Middour Farm
Renfrew Museum & Park and
Richard Eigenbrode Beef & Horse Farm
1998
Burk-Lea Farms
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1999
Mercer-Vu Farms
Bison Ridge Buffalo Ranch
2000
Stoner's Hijos Hill Dairy Farm
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2001
Forrester Farms
2002
Ricecrest Farms
IESU Blue Ridge Landfill
Keith Benedict's Fruit & Vegetable Farm
2003
C.V. Antique Engine & Machinery Association
Para-Dice Dairy Farm
2004
2005
2006
Arlo Farm
Ingersoll-Rand
Two-Top Holsteins Dairy Farm
Whitetail Mountain Resort
Mount Pleasant Dairy &
Duck Farm
Woodstock Market
2007
Myra-Breck Farm
St. Thomas Development Inc.
2008
Reich-Dale Farm
Appalachian Nurseries
2009
Falling Spring Farms, LLC
The Drying Shed
2010
Horst Robotic Dairy Farm
Cumberland Valley Cooperative Association
2011
C.V. Antique Engine & Machinery Association
Mark & Joyce Burkholder Farm
Year Host Location Companion Location
2012
Cedar Pine Farm
Rotz Turf Renovation LLC
2013
2014
2015
Keith E Martin Dairy Farm
Slate Ridge Dairy Farm Inc.
Cornerstone Dairy Farm
Valley Quarries Incorporated
"Premier Whitetail Genetics"
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2016
Valley View Farm
Fayetteville Contractors Inc.
2017
Burk-Lea Farms
Rosenbaum's Landscaping & Nursery
2018
2019
2020
The Musser Farm
The Beidel Brothers
Two-Top Holsteins Dairy Farm
Maplewood Farm Market
Esh's Storage Barns
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2021
Two-Top Holsteins Dairy Farm
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2022
Hollow Acres Farm LLC
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2023
Oakleigh Dairy Farm
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