HDG teamed with Mackin Engineering and Allegheny Land Trust to create a vision plan for Meyer Farm; a 45.6-acre property located in South Fayette Township. The farm once belonged to Mr. Harry Meyer. He was known as a lifelong farmer and fruit grower. Harry owned and operated the farm until his passing when the land was placed into the hands of Allegheny Land Trust (ALT). ALT hoped to restore the farm to what it once was and provide additional programming space for Harry and ALT’s education focused curriculum.
The Vision Plan seeks to emphasize the connection between humans, our food, and the environment and serves to promote the growth of natural resource conservation. The Plan also seeks to equitably serve the local and regional population; to increase access to conservation and agricultural experiences of our region’s diverse natural resources. Meyer Farm Vision Plan shall direct ALT’s future educational practices, management and stewardship efforts at Meyer Fam with the goal of showcasing southwestern Pennsylvania’s agricultural heritage and food resources while maximizing and balancing ecological priorities, future restoration and passive recreational opportunities.
The 45.6-acre property is split in two parcels. The 10.2-acre parcel sits at Oakridge Road and currently houses the original fruit stand and apple orchards the farm is known for. In keeping with the farm’s aesthetic, red metal roofs and barn wood siding are featured materials on the property’s proposed structures. This includes a proposed educational pavilion to hold classes and large gatherings, a remaking of the iconic fruit stand, a combination of outdoor pavilions set beside demonstration gardens and an equipment barn to house the overflow from the existing barn that will become an farm antiquities museum. Not to forget the other features of the site, an outdoor and wooded classroom, welcome garden, pollinator meadow and apple orchard, which can all be walked to on a crushed limestone perimeter trail that connects each of the site features.
To read more about Harry Meyer’s passion for education, visit the Allegheny Land Trust’s website below.
