Peter Salerno receives 2018 PVGA Young Grower Award
The winner of 2018 PVGA Young Grower Award is Peter Salerno III in Lehighton, Carbon County. This award is designed to recognize outstanding young growers in the vegetable, potato or berry industries.
Peter, or PJ as his family calls him, attended Kutztown University where he majored in Criminal Justice. In January of 2015, PJ made the decision to leave Kutztown and follow his passion and become a farmer. He enrolled in an apprentice program at the Seed Farm in Emmaus and in October, our family purchased a 76 acre Christmas tree farm in Lehighton. In December of 2016, PJ, with the assistance of the USDA, purchased an additional 32 acre parcel nearby. In total, he now operates a 108 acre farm known as Foothill Farm.
Christmas trees are still a big part of Foothill Farm and 2017 was PJ’s third Christmas season. The farm dedicates approximately 55 acres to growing 6 varieties of trees. As of today, there are approximately 24,000 trees planted on the farm. PJ plants approximately 6,000 trees each year and plans to be at full capacity (60,000 trees) in 7 years.
The spring of 2016 was PJ’s first vegetable season. Following organic principles, he grew a variety of vegetables that were offered for sale at his roadside stand. In addition, he operated a 13 member CSA. In 2017 PJ’s vegetable production continued to grow. His CSA membership doubled to 26 members and in addition to his roadside stand, he produced enough vegetables to sell at two area farmer’s markets. All of the vegetables were grown from seeds which he started in his 1000 square foot greenhouse. Fall was an exciting time for PJ as he started a fall festival with a 5 acre corn maze and a 1 acre pumpkin patch. Next fall he plans to increase his pumpkin production and grow his own mums.
2018 looks to be a big year for PJ as he is adding a 3 bay, 300’ x 75’ high tunnel to the farm. He will also be taking over production of a neighboring 1/4 acre blueberry patch. Foothill Farm has also entered into an agreement with Delaware Valley University’s Organic Farming Program to host students for their farm practicums. Finally, PJ will serve on the Penn State Extension Carbon County Council.
PVGA Young Grower Award recipients must be PVGA members who are 35 years old or younger, who have been successfully growing vegetables, potatoes or berries for less than five years and who have contributed to advancing or promoting the Pennsylvania vegetable, potato or berry industries.