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by
Karen Fetter
A perfect family outing in
the fall is a visit to
Schramm Farms and Orchard.
Located on 400 acres in Penn
Township, Westmoreland
County, this farm doesn’t
just have produce to offer -
there is so much more!
The Schramm family has
created a themed celebration
called Fall Fest, which
begins the last weekend in
September and goes through
the end of October.
There are a variety of
things to do at this family
friendly event. The
fields are loaded with
pumpkins so families can
walk through and load up a
wagon of homegrown pumpkins.
For children there is a corn
maze and play hay that is
free of charge. Not to
mention the amazing displays
which are created using
pumpkins, gourds, and
scarecrows that offer
delights for everyone.
In the past, characters have
included the cast from the
Wizard of Oz, the Three
Little Pigs, Bert and Ernie,
and other nursery rhyme
characters.
“Our Fall Fest is a good
time for the entire family.
It’s kids entertainment so
there is nothing scary,”
said Kate Schramm.
“It’s a great way to enjoy
the fall season.”
On weekends and week nights
there are also hayrides and
pony rides available for
just $2 per person.
Taking a ride always gives
the ultimate Fall Fest
experience because you can
see the newly fallen leaves
and smell the autumn air.
And be sure to enjoy fresh
apple cider made from the
homegrown apples at Schramm
Farms. In addition to
the cider there are a
variety of refreshments that
include popcorn, hot dogs,
cotton candy, and caramel
and candy apples!
Inside the market you can
select from a wide selection
of fresh produce and
Fall-specific items such as
Indian corn, apple cider,
and gourds. And you
can’t leave without stopping
in Grandma’s Country Oven
Baked Shoppe for a pumpkin
pie!
Schramm Farms and Orchard
also offers Fall Fest field
trips for children through
school, church, and activity
groups. Scheduling for
Fall Fest field trips begins
after Labor Day. Each
field trip includes a
hayride, the opportunity to
walk through the pumpkin
patch, the chance to pick a
pumpkin, and enjoy a
complimentary refreshment.
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Schramm Farms and Orchard is
open year round and grows
over 20 different fruits and
vegetables. Selections
change from season to
season. Produce for
Fall include apples, green
peppers, hot peppers, sweet
peppers, zucchini, squash,
broccoli, cauliflower,
tomatoes, concord and
Niagara grapes, and peaches.
Grapes are sold in bulk for
wine making. Schramm
Farms also takes orders for
apple trays, fruit baskets,
and locally grown turkeys.
The Schramm Orchard began in
1981. The orchard
covers 15 acres along
Boxcartown Road. The
orchard produces 15
varieties of apples
including Golden & Red
Delicious, Cortland, Stayman
& MacIntosh, Gala, Fuji, and
Gingergold. The
Schramm family tries to
produce apples that both
grow well in the area and
suit people’s tastes.
Varieties change, but the
quality always remains the
same. Schramm Farms
also uses their apples to
make fresh apple cider to be
sold by the gallon in the
fall and winter seasons.
Apples can be purchased by
the pound and in larger
quantities such as a peck,
half a bushel, and a bushel.
Many people may ask why it
is better to buy locally
grown produce instead of
from a grocery store.
The answer is that there are
no preservative waxes added
because the produce does not
need to be shipped or stored
for long periods of time.
And nothing is added to
maintain color or force it
to ripen because all of the
produce is stored in natural
conditions.
What is better than fresh
fruit? How about fresh
baked goods made with
Schramm’s homegrown fruit?
Customers do not have to
look any further than
Grandma’s Country Oven Bake
Shoppe, which is attached to
the market. Kathy
(Schramm) Young, the owner,
and her family create high
quality baked goods made
from scratch. Items
include cakes, pies, breads,
rolls, tarts, cookies, and
cheesecakes. In the
fall the store features
pumpkin pies, tarts, and
rolls. Grandma’s
Country Oven Bake Shoppe is
known for its wedding cakes
as well. Any event can
be accommodated. Call to
order a cookie tray, event
cake, holiday pies, breads,
or buns.
Schramm Farms and Orchard
was originally started in
1864. It was located
on McKnight Road in
Pittsburgh. The farm
moved to its present
location in 1981.
Three brothers and one
sister own the Schramm Farms
and Orchard. Their
children plan to continue
operating the business for
years and years to come.
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