Our History
The Roots Go Deep
Originally called the Swiss Rifle Club Farm, the roots of Heritage Farm go back to 1976 when an early twenty something couple met, fell in love and began to dream the dream of their lifetime. Greg and Linda’s dream included a rural lifestyle and a small farm in the mountains; a place where they could live simple lives, close to nature and in peace. After marriage in 1979 and many moves between two states, the farm became a reality in 1990 with the purchase of their second piece of land. Now they owned a worn out, run down 19th century rifle club building (converted to a house in the 1940’s) and two acres on which to raise fruit, vegetables, eggs and small livestock! Although small, it was the start that was needed. Always a family affair, in the summer of 1991 they began selling produce with their three children (two more children arrived later) at the St. Marys Farmers Market. The following year they added the Ridgway Farmers Market. At the same time the farm’s offerings increased with the addition of home ground baked goods, jams/jellies, herbs, flowers, maple syrup and more!
Their third land purchase of 25 acres was made in 1995. This greatly increased the size and scope of the whole operation and enabled them to participate in yet a third farmers market in Clarion in 1999 as well as initiate a pasture fed beef enterprise. But wait - the Burns’ family farm wasn’t finished yet! Late in 2000 the farm adjoining theirs came up for sale and the family was able to sell the old rifle club and purchase the new property. The vision continues to unfold as the family restored and enlarged their business on this 19th century farmstead which includes a house, large bank barn, two smaller barns, a workshop and 51 beautiful acres. Later, they began renting an additional 30 acres on which to raise an ever-expanding beef herd. The Burns have an on-farm market as well as pastured beef, pork and poultry exterprises in addition to the established fruit and vegetable operations. They now sell their products to several upclass restaurants in Pittsburg, to a food coop, a buying club, and a health food store, along with their original three farmer's markets and their farm store. Heritage Farm now has 13 sales locations in 6 different local communities to better provide the area with healthy, nutritious food.
Greg and Linda have home schooled their 5 children, which has been an essential for running the business. In April 2005 their oldest daughter Rebekah married Jason Oberholser and, in 2008, moved to New Mexico. There she and Jason work as Christian missionaries among the Navajo Indians along with their 2 (going on 3) children. In 2007, Greg and Linda's son Dan (25) graduated from Patrick Henry College and is now working for a Christian missionary school in Puebla, Mexico. He is engaged to be married to Florina Marcellus this summer, after which they will continue serving as Christian missionaries in Mexico. Greg and Linda have joined in partnership with their son Pete and together they manage the operation with their children, Anna and Tim. Pete, 23, apprenticed for a year several years ago at Polyface farm, owned by Joel Salatin, one of the leading sustainable farmers of our time. Pete is now the livestock head of Heritage Farm, including pasture fed beef, poultry, and pork. He graduated from Whitfield college in 2009 and now works full time on the farm as a business partner with his parents. Anna, 16, is a junior in high school, and is the farm website manager and department head of the greens production. Tim, 10, is in fourth grade, and is in charge of the cleaning and boxing of eggs. He also actively seeks employment in all departments. Linda is department head of maple syrup and the jams/jellies area. She shares charge of the vegetable production with Greg. Greg has responsibility for the tree fruit and woodlot management departments as well as being CEO and general fixer-upper/handyman for the whole place. Everyone helps out everywhere in each department, however, working together and enjoying family fellowship.
We are a committed Christian family and invite you to check out our products or just come and visit us at any of our locations. At the farmers markets look for a brown, hand carved, wooden sign hanging over the back of a pickup truck and young people that are working their hearts out. Our statement of purpose is as follows:
Heritage Farm exists to glorify God in that our family will put into practice and provide a public example of the principles of biblical lifestyle. A tool in developing virtuous character and lives pleasing to the Lord, the farm is to be a Christian witness to others both by our example of a family working together and by providing a constant supply of "clean," fresh, high quality, nutritious and healthier foods.