In 1926 Stephen D. Grover and C.C. Grover purchased the farm from Yost Byler.Ridgeview Farm has been in the Grovers family for over four generations with the fifth currently growing up on the same land.Our farm is a working farm along with an educational resource center.We host tour groups by reservation and teach them about agriculture. The farm has seen many changes since originally purchased in 1926.
Maple Syrup 1926 until 1962 Some of the woods are still being tapped today by our neighbor Peaches 1930 until 1962 Hogs 1940 until 1955 Grapes 1927 until 1956 Dairy Farm 1926 until 1969again 1973 until 1990 Finish Beef Cattle 1990 until 1995 Strawberries 1995 until present Farm Fresh Produce 1996 until present Hayrides 1996 until present Farm Market 1998 until present Educational Tours 1997 until present Amish Tours 2001 until present
Steve & Grace Grover in 1987
Steve & Sharon Grover - Current Owners
In 1995, Steven D. Grover (Farmer Steve) and Sharon Grover (The farmers wife) planted the first strawberry plants.We started by selling them under a tent in our back yard.After two years of working under a tent (having the tent blow down a few times; we knew it was time for a more permanent structure.At that point we built a small red barn to sell our fresh picked produce in. In the summer months, we grow our own strawberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, melons, black berries, red raspberries and pumpkins.Customers can pick their own strawberries and red raspberries while in season.Other fresh produce is grown by our Amish neighbor for purchase in our farm market.
In the fall our customers can enjoy a hayride through our beautiful 100 acres.It surely is a beautiful site on a fall afternoon with all the fall foliage. Our pumpkin patch is a hit.Children can come out and either pick their pumpkin out of the patch or choose one from our front yard.We grow over 5 acres of pumpkins here.The can also purchase fresh apples, winter squash, beautiful fall mums., corn stalks fall decor and more? How about getting lost in our 3 acre corn maze?Every year we have a different theme for our corn maze.It is a learning experience with a twist of skill to get thru the maize. New for 2004 was the Hayloft Learning Center is designed to teach children about Agriculture, Re-cycling, Amish Culture and the History of Ridgeview Farm. While in the Loft the children can see how the barn was constructed using timber from the farm.The barn was originally built in the mid 1800. With timber being plentiful, the first settlers used hand hewn beams with drilled wooden pegs holding the joints together.The atmosphere alone gets the children curious about what we do in the loft.We like to get the children to think outside the box.The hayloft helps us do just that. The hayloft compliments our other existing programs. We enjoy sharing our farm with other, and teaching them about farming, and how it affects all of us!God Bless and please consider visiting our farm someday soon!
Farm is open May through August 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday
