PHOTO PROVIDED Today Farm & Market in Muncy shared the above photo on social media.

The pumpkins are bright orange, the mums in bloom and at the Today Farm & Market, the owners are welcoming the crowds to see a real-life working farm.

The Today Farm & Market, 215 Shady Lane, is a working farm in historic Muncy.

“We bought the property in January 2023, held our grand opening in May 2023, and in a little over two years have welcomed thousands of people to enjoy what we offer at the farm,” said Barbara Andreassen, the farm and market co-owner with Josh Leidhecker, also a farm and market co-owner.

The goal was to create a family-friendly destination, one where all are welcome to visit and experience a working farm, learn where their food comes from, and to enjoy quality time outdoors with friends and family – “while also strengthening and supporting our local food systems.”

“In doing so we moved away from conventional farming to work towards a more sustainable agricultural model that incorporates agritourism and regenerative farming practices,” Andreassen said.

“We raise pastured beef, pork, lamb, and goats, butcher them locally, and offer the meat for sale as shares (half or whole), and in our on-site farm store.”

The farm store is stocked with locally made goods and provisions from this farm, and by small batch makers and farmers from all throughout Pennsylvania.

“We also sell chicken eggs in our store,” she said. “Our chickens are not only free-range, they are also part of our regenerative farming practice: as we move our cows through our rotational pasture grazing system, the mobile chicken coop tags along, the chickens spread the cow manure, which literally lays the groundwork for a sustainable, healthy pasture.”

In addition to farming, Today Farm & Market provides a wide-range of agritourism activities, education, outdoor recreation and entertainment.

It serves as host for a variety of farm-to-table dining experiences, special events, live music, petting zoo activities, and annual festivals – such as the annual Sunflower Festival every August, and Oktoberfest, which is coming up on Oct. 4 from noon to 4 p.m.

“As we move into spooky season, we have a special Halloween event coming up for kids, called Tiny Terrors, on Oct. 11 from 3 to 6 p.m., and preparations are ongoing for our annual Today Farm of Terror; a multi-night haunted event created by Jennie & Patrick Melloy – not to be missed!” Andreaseen said.

Field trips are offered, too, to groups of all ages, which has brought at least 200 children to the farm last year to meet and learn about the farm’s animals, take part in a seed and herb planting workshop, and enjoy a haywagon tour around the property to learn about how this farm works.

The Today Farm & Market offers rentals for birthday parties, gatherings, and special events. That includes state Senator Gene Yaw’s Annual Breakfast Meeting, where the host serves up a wonderful farmer’s breakfast for all of the farm’s guests – farmers and friends from throughout the state and region.

“Our mantra is Buy & Support Local, and our farm is built on many local relationships and collaborations,” Andreassen said.

For those who love pollinators, Today Farm & Market is happy to also be home to Pidcoe Farms’ honey bees. “In our pasture (guests can see their colorful hives as they walk through the gate and can purchase their honey in the farm store!,” she said.

Among the other delights available at the farm include the Bullfrog Brewery’s on-site taproom, and Today Farm & Market’s rotational grazing partner, T&K Farms.