Lycoming County to hold farm complex open house Sept. 18; sale of adjacent house to fund repairs and demolition

Lycoming County commissioners announced plans for a public open house at the county farm complex on Sept. 18 and approved demolition and other repairs at the farm that county leaders said will be funded in part by the sale of a house adjacent to the site.

Commissioner Collins, who described spending time with Little League and local families, said the farm committee of local farmers has prepared the event to showcase the farm and local vendors. “If anybody can make it there Sept. 18, it's gonna be a full, first first time,” Collins said. County staff said the farm open house will include more than 30 vendors and may be billed as “Farm to Table Night.”

The board voted to approve a contract with Steiningbacher Enterprises, Inc., for $9,253 to demolish and remove material from a six-bay garage at the farm. County staff said proceeds from the sale of the house next to the farm will be used to pay toward that demolition and other repairs, including roof and barn maintenance.

Commissioners described the project as an effort to convert the farm complex into a more active educational and community facility; among proposals discussed were small-scale educational uses such as apiary (hive) demonstrations and school partnerships. Commissioners said the county plans to subdivide the property next to the farm to return parcels to the tax rolls and potentially create additional residential lots.

The board approved the demolition contract and related actions; staff will manage the sale and apply proceeds to repairs and demolition as discussed.