Bluerock Valley Farm

The farm has been in the Shores family for four generations, starting with Lewis Shore who moved to Pennsylvania after World War II and began farming in 1949. Initially, the farm produced a variety of crops and livestock including ducks, horses, tomatoes, tobacco, pumpkins, dairy, goats, sheep, corn, soybeans, and chickens. Lewis was an early adopter of no-till farming and expanded the dairy herd to around 300 head. In the late 70s and early 80s, the farm transitioned to a confinement poultry laying house and primarily planted corn. As Wes, Lewis's son, approached retirement, the farm began to shift towards new practices.

The farm is in the process of converting cropland back into pasture, aiming to create a diverse poly-culture that mimics natural ecosystems. Animals such as sheep, pastured poultry, beef, and seasonal species like turkeys will be rotated onto fresh pasture without the use of antibiotics, growth hormones, or GMO feed. The farm plans to use goats and pigs to recondition wooded areas by rotating them through the underbrush. Key practices include establishing reliable clean water sources, employing water management principles, sowing a variety of grasses and legumes, setting up portable electric fencing, and deploying portable working facilities and shelters for the animals. The goal is to create soil that is vibrant, biologically active, moisture-retentive, and supportive of nutritious grasses, legumes, and forbs.

The farm encourages customers to get to know them and understand where their food comes from. They plan to process their animals at USDA inspected facilities and sell directly to consumers, offering an alternative to large-scale confinement operations and feedlots. The farm aims to provide healthy, nutrient-dense food for those concerned about the current food industry and mass food recalls.