Feeding the Hungry…
Caring for the Earth…
Growing Healthy Community…
Join MFP to Walk for a Healthy Community!
The 2026 Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community comes to the Lehigh Valley on Saturday, June 13, drawing team and individual participants for a day of fun, fitness and fundraising for vital health and human service organization throughout our community. This year, the event aims to raise $140,000 in support of 16 different nonprofits — including Monocacy Farm Project — that make an impact every day for those in need in the Lehigh Valley.
The Monocacy Farm Project team is registering participants to walk with us and raise much-needed funds in support of our mission. We are hoping to raise $10,000 toward our work to feed the hungry, care for the earth, and grow health community. We welcome you to become part of our team to walk in your choice of the 5K Walk or One-Mile Walk. Can’t join us that day? No problem. You can still donate in support of MFP by visiting our official Highmark Walk page here.
Event Details: Check-in begins at 7:45 a.m., followed by the 5K Walk at 9 a.m. and a One-Mile Walk at 9:15 a.m., all at DeSales University in Center Valley, Pa. The starting point for all activities is the Conmy Tocik Parking Lot at DeSales, located at 2755 Station Avenue in Center Valley. Getting involved is easy. Register to walk with us here, then share your participation with friends and family, and encourage them to donate what they can in support of your efforts. The event is rain or shine, and pups can take part too!
2026 Pick Your Own Memberships
Make Great Easter & Mom’s Day Gifts
Our Pick Your Own (PYO) produce program welcomes all to come out to the farm and harvest their own sustainably-grown produce each week throughout the growing season, which usually runs June through October. Program memberships are just $10 and make great gifts for virtually everyone on your list. Get your own or gift one by clicking here.
2026 Spring on the Farm Promises Enthusiastic Start to Growing Season
Before you know it, it will be time to embrace spring, get outside and jumpstart the growing season! To help you do just that, our sixth annual Spring on the Farm event is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 9. The day will include a sale of a wide variety of plants direct from our greenhouse, local food and craft vendors, farm tours, and exhibitors.
Thanks to you, our 11th growing season of service and community involvement enjoyed the following successes:
Produce contributions to our emergency food system partners were solid — MFP grew and distributed nearly $30,000 worth of produce grown with care & concern for Mother Earth!
Community Garden Plots were filled to capacity again providing land access and food for local communities!
MFP’s Pick-Your-Own members were busy as ever harvesting gorgeous, healthy produce every week!
Annual appeal donations, corporate and local business contributions, and foundation and grant awards exceeded $130,000!
Emphasis on “growing relationships” led to increased engagement with local Colleges & University students and faculty as well as development of new programming at every level of learning!
All our events throughout the season were marked by a truly healthy community spirit in support of the MFP Mission!
Get Growing ‘26 kicks off our
NEXT YEAR of SERVICE!
Sow Good Seeds with MFP!
Will you help us raise $45,000 this year? Click here to donate.
Monocacy Farm Project runs on mission and the efforts of (from left) Sister Bonnie Marie Kleinschuster, project director; Eli Stogsdill, project manager; Amy Baringer, marketing and events coordinator; and Bob Drake, “manager emeritus.” Photo courtesy of Fig.
Partnering
with the Earth
Nestled on 53 acres of rolling lawns bordered by the Monocacy Creek in Bethlehem, Pa., Monocacy Farms is owned and managed by the School Sisters of St. Francis, a community of Catholic women religious. In 2013, the Sisters converted their conventionally cultivated planting fields to an agro-ecological demonstration and production farm.
Monocacy Farm Project includes an apple orchard, community gardens, production fields and demonstration gardens. The project’s Grow Healthy Community initiative provides free weekly supplies of organically-grown fruits and vegetables to area food pantries, soup kitchens and homeless shelters throughout the growing season. Throughout the year, education programs and workshops are offered for children and adults on such topics as organic gardening, ecology and healthy eating.
Hey Look! We’re Kinda Famous!
In Spring 2024, our own Eli Stogsdill was consulted for a feature by edible Lehigh Valley about native edible landscaping. Get in the know here.
In June 2023, Monocacy Farm Project was featured in the Lehigh Valley News. The article highlights our relationship with creation and the environment. Read the full feature here.
In November 2021, MFP was featured in a front-page article in The Morning Call. The story spotlights our efforts work to care for both the environment and for underprivileged families in the Lehigh Valley. Check it out here.
The Birdhouse Project
Interested in learning about birdhouses and birdhouse maintenance? One of our volunteers is extending an invite to participate in the Birdhouse Project. This includes taking inventory of existing nesting boxes at the farm, determining what repairs or replacements are needed, cleaning out old nests from the boxes, and installing new boxes if needed. The project may also include preparing an educational handout about the birds observed at the farm and along Monocacy Creek. If interested, reach out to Eli Stogsdill, our project manager, at mfp-info@monocacyfarmproject.org and he will connect you.
“Having a farm plot has taught my kids
invaluable lessons about food and ecology.”
— Jennifer W.
