A new initiative aims to support Centre County farmers and ag-focused businesses while encouraging exploration of the region’s agricultural heritage.
The “Fresh from the Field” digital passport trail takes users to stops around the county for everything from picking flowers from the field to farm-to-table dining and enjoying cow-to-cone ice cream to savoring gourmet local foods.
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County launched the passport trail as part of their Happy Valley Agventures program.
After downloading the passport to a mobile device, passport holders can earn points with GPS-based check-ins at trail locations. Points can be redeemed for “Fresh from the Field” branded merchandise, and many of the businesses on the trail will have special offers and discounts, according to a news release.
The passport can be downloaded at happyvalley.com/fresh-from-the-field-trail.
“Supporting Centre County’s ag-focused businesses has been the goal of Happy Valley Agventures since the initiative launched nearly five years ago,” Fritz Smith, HVAB president and CEO, said in a statement. “The Fresh from the Field trail is a fun new way to promote our agritourism offerings, while rewarding residents and visitors for doing so.”
The trail features 16 destinations:
- Rooted Farmstead
- Wasson Farm
- Way Fruit Farm
- Tait Farm Harvest Shop
- The Heirloom Farmer
- Nittany Valley Creamery
- Berkey Creamery
- Meyer Dairy
- Pine Grove Hall
- RE Farm Café
- Elk Creek Café + Aleworks
- Harner Farm
- Goot Essa
- Kinfork
- Pasto Agricultural Museum
- Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park
“The Fresh from the Field trail not only offers an adventure through the array of agritourism experiences in our region, but also cultivates economic growth right here in Centre County,” Greg Scott, CBICC President and CEO, said in a statement.
In addition to the businesses on the trail, Smith said he expects the initiative will also support awareness about all of the more than 60 Happy Valley Agventures destinations.
“The trail includes specific establishments, but Centre County’s overall agriculture and agritourism product is quite robust and ever evolving, featuring plenty of memorable, enjoyable, flavorful and educational experiences,” Smith said.
Passport users will have about a year to collect points. The Fresh from the Field trail will expire on March 1, 2025.
HVAB worked with Bandwango to develop the passport. The company’s technology “allows communities to organize things to do into experiences that integrate directly into websites,” according to the release.
