Munnell Run Farm
Integrating Agriculture & Ecology Education
747 Greenville Road, Mercer, PA 16137
Phone:(724) 662- 2242
Fax: (724) 662-3905
E-Mail: mercerccd@verizon.net
About Munnell Run Farm
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
TU Nursery Stocking
Girl Scout Garden
NOTE: Some of the links on this and other pages are in PDF format and require Acrobat Reader to open. If you do not have it, you can download it FREE by clicking here.
Children's Garden
MRF Cattle
Touring the Farm
Oats harvesting from the past at MRF
Munnell Run Farm Today
Visit our Gallery Page for more farm pictures
Planting Trees
