Mercer Museum Front-end Evaluation Report

FRONT-END EVALUATION: Bucks County Farming Future Exhibition Prepared by: Chaya Arabia, 2020 Summer Exhibits Intern

table of contents

STUDY BACKGROUND Objectives ............................................................................................................................. 1 Key Questions ...................................................................................................................... 1 Methodology ........................................................................................................................ 1 Participants .......................................................................................................................... 2 Accessibility ......................................................................................................................... 2 Ethics....................................................................................................................................... 3 Data Analysis........................................................................................................................ 3

SURVEY FINDINGS Demographics ..................................................................................................................... 4 Associations With “Bucks County Farming” ............................................................. 6 Anticipated Images and Objects .................................................................................. 8 Interest in Potential Themes ......................................................................................... 10 Interest in and Familiarity With Topics ..................................................................... 11 Important Factors When Buying Food ....................................................................... 13 Relationship to Farming and Food Markets ............................................................ 14 Beliefs, Interests, and Concerns ................................................................................... 15 Concerns About Food Production ................................................................................ 17 Questions that the Exhibit Should Explore ............................................................. 19

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS Summary of Findings ....................................................................................................... 21

APPENDICES Appendix A: Complete Responses to Question 1 ................................................... 22 Appendix B: Complete Responses to Question 2.................................................... 25 Appendix C: Complete Responses to Question 11.................................................. 28 Appendix D: Complete Responses to Question 12.................................................. 31 Sample Survey .................................................................................................................... 34

STUDY BACKGROUND

OBJECTIVES The purpose of the front-end evaluation is to inform the development of an upcoming exhibition at the Mercer Museum that may focus on stories of invention and innovation as they relate to Bucks County farming. Through this evaluation, Mercer Museum will learn more about their audiences for this exhibition. Specifically, the front-end evaluation objectives are to explore visitors’: • Prior knowledge, experience, and interest in Bucks County farming; • Expectations about what to see, do, and experience in the exhibition; • Reactions to themes in the exhibition; and • Questions and concerns about farming and food production in Bucks County.

KEY QUESTIONS What are the Mercer Museum’s audiences interested in, familiar with, and what would they want to learn about farming in Bucks County? What do they expect to experience in this exhibition? Lastly, what are their audiences engaged in and care about?

METHODOLOGY In this first phase of the front-end evaluation, the Curatorial Team created an online survey through SurveyMonkey. This platform allows surveys to be efficiently shared and completed on a large-scale, and it allows for easy and efficient interrogation of the data and analysis of results.

Although, in-person surveying was not feasible at the time of this report, this method of surveying should be considered in the future and potentially conducted at various locations, including the Mercer Museum and external sites like local farmer’s markets.

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PARTICIPANTS A target of at least 100 survey responses was desired and reached on August 21, 2020.

The Mercer Museum distributed the online survey by the following means: • Posting the survey to the Mercer Museum’s social media websites (e.g., Facebook); • Sharing the survey to those involved with the project; and • Sharing the survey with contacts of the Food Shed Alliance.

ACCESSIBILITY Vision-impairment The online survey was created using accessible themes on SurveyMonkey and following the accessible survey checklist, with consideration for people taking the survey with a screen reader with a text-to-speech (TTS) system and screen magnifiers. The standard theme includes the right amount of color contrast and brightness to ensure the survey is accessible to most people, including people with color blindness.

Language According to the American Community Survey, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, there are over 68,000 residents of Bucks County that speak non-English languages in their home; 62% of these residents immigrated to the US. The largest non-English speaking population is Spanish speakers, totaling 34,000 residents. For this reason, the survey was also translated and made available in Spanish.

Devices It should be noted that the online surveying portion was accessible specifically to people with devices, computers, and access to the internet. It is important to consider who this leaves out in the process. In-person surveying would help circumvent this limitation in the future.

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ETHICS All survey responses are anonymous, kept confidential, and are not attached to any person’s name. Survey participants were not asked to sign an informed consent because there was no risk involved.

DATA ANALYSIS The format of the survey includes both open-ended questions (fill in) and closed-ended questions (select options); thus, data collected will be both qualitative and quantitative.

Data was analyzed through SurveyMonkey and Excel, and was not analyzed for statistical significance; instead the data was examined for trends in responses.

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SURVEY FINDINGS SURVEY FINDINGS

DEMOGRAPHICS A total of 112 people responded to the survey. Of the individual participants: • Almost all (95%) are above the age of 35.

• A little over half (52%) have visited the Mercer Museum within the last year; several participants have never visited the Mercer before.

• Most (62%) participants reside in Bucks County.

Figure 1. Pie chart displaying the percentages of participants in each age category.

Under 18: 0.0% 18-24: 0.9% 25-34: 3.7% 35-44: 14.0% 65+: 35.5%

45-54: 23.4%

55-64: 22.4%

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Figure 2. Pie chart displaying when participants last visited the Mercer.

I have never visited: 3.7% Within 6 months: 23.9%

It's been over 5 years: 18.3%

Within 5 years: 9.2%

Within 12 months: 27.5%

Within 2 years: 17.4%

Lorem ipsum

Live Outside of Bucks County: 37.7%

LOCATION OF RESIDENCE Figure 3. Pie chart showing the percentage of participants residing in Bucks County.

Reside in Bucks County: 62.3%

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ASSOCIATIONS WITH “BUCKS COUNTY FARMING” Participants were asked to provide words that come to mind when they hear the phrase “Bucks County Farming”. Several trends emerged: • Fresh produce and livestock: Forty percent of participants mentioned local, garden fresh vegetables and fruits grown in Bucks County including corn and tomatoes, apples, strawberries, wheat, grains, and beans; and livestock including horses, cows, and chickens.

• Farmlife: A little over a third of participants mentioned the bucolic rolling hills, beautiful farms in acres of open crop fields, preserved farmlands, farm houses, farm stands/markets, the smell of hay, barns, butchers and dairy farmers, and fertile soil.

• Family: A little less than a quarter of participants reported that the phrase reminds them of their ancestors who were farmers, and small, family-run farms. This phrase conjured up words like tradition, heritage, generations, and legacy.

• Seeds: A little over one-tenth mentioned seed companies like Burpee Seed Company.

• Technology/Tools: A little over one-tenth mentioned farm tools and machines including reaping hooks, plows, threshers, and tractors.

• Hard work: Several mentioned that it reminds them of the hard work involved in farming.

• Loss of farms: A few reported the loss of farmland due to housing and commercial development.

Others provided words like resilience, historic, progress, important, home, sustenance, and pride.

farmers growing

corn

farm houses

now

acres

vegetables

Burpee Seed Co fresh

dairy

fields crops

soil

food

family

farms

hard work

hay small

barns

development

Figure 4. Word cloud showing a visual representation of the 20 of the most common words and phrases from the open ended question “What words come to mind when you hear the phrase “Bucks County Farming”?”

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1957 when I came to Bucks County from Southwestern Pennsylvania, farming was “king.” Large homes, fertile soils, level ground, dairy and poultry and vegetables were the

Two things come to mind for me.

primary products produced. It was truly an

One is driving around seeing fields

agricultural society.

“

Today 2020, most of the farms now grow houses and development projects. All that good level soil now under houses in

of corn. Less and less as the years

“

go by but summer always reminds me of this. Second is hearing stories that my great-grandfather,

Levittown, thousands of acres under new

grandfather, and great uncles grew

highways, dairy, poultry and vegetables are

tomatoes in Warrington that they

no longer primary crops. During the past

sold to Campbells.

60 years Bucks County citizens have moved from a rural agrarian society to an urbanized industrialized society.

“

Small family-run farms all over the

“

Open space and the smell of new

“ “

county in the past.

mown hay.

My ancestors, including my parents, were farmers. It means good, fresh food; close family relationships; hard work.

History, pride, community, origination, pioneers.

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ANTICIPATED IMAGES AND OBJECTS Participants were also asked to share images and objects they would expect to find in an exhibition on the history of farming in Bucks County. The following trends emerged: • Agricultural equipment: Almost two-thirds of participants mentioned wanting to see artifacts related to agricultural implements, tools, equipment, machinery, and technologies including plows, threshers, tractors, horse drawn equipment, rakes, watering devices, butter churners, and milk jugs. Several participants mentioned wanting to see the evolution of these tools over time in order to understand progress.

• Farms: A quarter of participants wrote that they wanted to see photos of historic farms in Bucks County, including their barns and buildings, silos, and farmers and their families.

Several participants mentioned wanting to see images of farms and farmland prior to being lost to development. One participant suggested a pictorial timeline of the amount of farmland at various points in time.

• Seeds: A little over one-tenth of participants expect to find seed packets and catalogues as artifacts in this exhibition, including Burpee and Landreth seeds. One participant suggested including history about seed companies and another participant suggested providing visitors with growing tips and tricks.

• Farm animals: A little over one-tenth of participants would like to see photos of animals that have contributed to farming, including horses, mules, cows, and goats. One participant suggested including information on breeds of livestock that are raised on farms.

• Crops: One-tenth of participants anticipate seeing images of crops grown in Bucks County, including apples, sweet corn, pumpkin, and other vegetables and produce. One participant suggested including popular plants at certain times in history.

A few people mentioned wanting to see old agricultural signs for meat, poultry, produce and dairy products. Others mentioned land and topographic maps, and aerial photographs to get a sense of the landscape prior to development. A couple of people also expected to see artwork and paintings associated with local farms and farm life like the Hick’s Twining farm paintings.

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“

Historical farms and family owners. Creative solutions developed in the county and in the area. A pictorial timeline of the amount of farmland at various points in time. How farming has become more productive.

Old farm implements, evolution of

“ “

tractors, successful and unsuccessful pictures portraying good years and bad, Burpee history.

Images of historically significant farms, histories of these farms and perhaps material culture relating to them.

Pictures and/or drawings (also paintings and advertisements) of the people and industries involved; material culture like

“

clothing, farm equipment or machinery, art and culture produced by and for the agricultural sector; newspaper articles; diaries; crop and ag. life calendars and log books.

Aerial photos (illustrating past and present/land development), items showing

“

progress from past to present (milking stool, milk can, milking machine) various farm implements (from hand operated, to horse drawn, to tractor drawn), things that show progress in how crops/products were processed and marketed.

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INTEREST IN POTENTIAL THEMES Participants were also asked to indicate whether they are interested in the following potential exhibit themes: • The innovations and inventions of Bucks County farmers since the 1700’s.

• The outcomes, challenges, and problems of agricultural innovation.

• Current practices and modern day inventions to grow food products.

• The stories of Bucks County farmers.

A large majority of participants were interested in both the stories of Bucks County farmers (90%), as well as innovations and inventions of Bucks County farmers since the 1700’s (83%). Half (51%) of participants were interested in learning about the outcomes, challenges, and problems of agricultural innovation. A little over a third (38%) of participants are interested in the current practices and modern day inventions to grow food products.

100% 80%

60% 40%

20%

The innovations

The stories of Bucks

The outcomes,

Current practices

and inventions

County farmers.

challenges,

and modern day

of Bucks County

and problems

inventions to grow

farmers since

of agricultural

food products.

the 1700’s.

innovation.

Figure 5. Graph showing percentage of participants interested in each theme. Of the four themes presented, participants were most interested in learning about the innovations and inventions of Bucks County farmers since the 1700’s, and the stories of Bucks County farmers.

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INTEREST IN AND FAMILIARITY WITH POTENTIAL TOPICS Participants were next asked to indicate their level of interest in potential exhibition topics.

A large majority of participants were either pretty interested or very interested in foods grown or raised in Bucks County (95%), changes in Bucks county farms over time (91%), supporting Bucks County farms and farmers (90%), historical farming tools and equipment (85%), and agricultural sustainability and conservation (72%).

100% 80%

Not interested

Neutral

Slightly interested

Pretty interested

Very interested

60% 40%

20%

Historical

Changes in

Foods grown

Agricultural

Supporting Bucks

farming tools

Bucks County

or raised in

sustainability

County farms

and equipment

farms over time

Bucks County

and

and farmers

conservation

Figure 6. Graph displaying the level of interest in five potential exhibit themes.

Participants were also asked to indicate their level of familiarity with the same potential topics.

Survey participants have varying levels of familiarity with these topics. Participants are most familiar with the foods grown or raised in Bucks County and supporting Bucks County farms and farmers, with 44% reporting that they are either moderately or very familiar with these topics.

In contrast, participants are least familiar with agricultural sustainability and conservation, with 48% of participants reporting that they are not at all familiar or slightly familiar with this topic.

It is worth noting that though many survey participants are not that familiar with agricultural sustainability and conservation, they weren’t as interested in learning about this topic compared to the other topics.

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100%

Not at all familiar

Somewhat familiar

80%

Slightly familiar

Moderately familiar

Very familiar

60% 40%

20%

Historical

Changes in

Foods grown

Agricultural

Supporting

farming

Bucks County

or raised in

sustainability

Bucks County

tools and

farms over

Bucks County

and

farms and

equipment

time

conservation

farmers

Figure 7. Graph displaying participants’ level of familiarity with five potential exhibit themes.

WOULD YOU ATTEND THE EXHIBIT?

No: 2.7%

Almost all participants (97%) responded yes. Four participants reported they would not attend this exhibit because they live too far away.

Figure 8. Graph displaying percentage of participants that would attend the exhibition.

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Too far away. No plane rides during Covid 19.

Yes: 97.3%

IMPORTANT FACTORS WHEN BUYING FOOD Participants next ranked important factors when buying food. Ranking questions calculate the average ranking for each factor, in order to determine which factor was most prioritized overall.

The factor with the largest average ranking is the most preferred choice.

The three top factors participants consider when buying food were local, fresh/non-processed, and grown sustainably. Survey results show that buying local is the number one priority among 42% of participants.

Local Fresh/ non-processed Grown sustainably Variety Organic Pesticide/growth hormone free Convenience/ accessibility Inexpensive

GMO/non-GMO 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Figure 9. Graph displaying the average ranking of factors when buying food. Weights are applied in reverse; a participant’s most preferred choice (which they rank on the survey as #1) has the largest weight, and their least preferred choice (which they rank in the last position) has a weight of 1.

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RELATIONSHIP TO FARMING AND FOOD MARKETS The survey also asked participants to select statements that described their relationship to farming and food markets.

A large majority of participants go to farmer’s markets (91%), and most either currently maintain or have maintained a garden (76%). Over half of participants buy directly from farmers (59%), and a little over half of participants either currently grow or have grown vegetables and/or raise animals for food (52%). Less than half participate in agri-tainment (e.g., corn mazes, hay rides) (42%). Fifteen percent (15%) of participants grew up on a farm and 6% are farmers. Lastly, less than 5% only buy food from grocery stores.

Table 1. Table showing the percent of participants that selected each statement.

STATEMENTS

% OF PARTICIPANTS

I go to farmer’s markets.

91%

I maintain or have maintained a garden.

76%

I buy directly from farmers.

59%

I grow or have grown vegetables and/or raised animals

52%

for food.

I participate in agri-tainment (e.g., corn mazes, hay rides,

42%

seasonal fairs, etc).

I grew up on a farm.

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15%

I am a farmer.

6%

I only buy food from grocery stores.

4%

BELIEFS, INTERESTS, AND CONCERNS Participants selected the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with five statements relating to their beliefs, interests, and concerns.

Figure 10. Pie chart displaying responses to the statement “Preserving farms and farming in Bucks County is important to me”.

Strongly Disagree: 0.9% Somewhat Disagree: 0.0% Neutral: 0.9% Somewhat Agree: 13.9%

Almost all (98%) participants either somewhat agree or strongly agree that preserving farms and farming in Bucks County is important to them, with 84% of participants selecting that they strongly agree with this statement.

Strongly Agree: 84.3%

Figure 11. Graph displaying responses to the statement “I am concerned about access to nutritious food for my family.”

Strongly Disagree: 0.9% Somewhat Disagree: 2.8% Neutral: 13.0%

A large majority (83%) either somewhat agree or strongly agree that they are concerned about access to nutritious food for their families, with 59% of participants selecting that they strongly agree with this statement.

Strongly Agree: 59.3%

Somewhat Agree: 24.1%

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Figure 12. Pie chart displaying responses to the statement “I would like to learn about local farming and the role it plays in the overall food system.”

Strongly Disagree: 0.0% Strongly Agree: 44.3%

Somewhat Disagree: 1.9% Neutral: 16.0%

A large majority (82%) of participants either somewhat agree or strongly agree that they would like to learn about local farming and the role it plays in the overall food system. Sixteen percent (16%) of participants feel neutral about this statement.

Somewhat Agree: 37.7%

Figure 13. Pie chart displaying responses to the statement “I would like to learn more about how to grow my own food.”

Strongly Disagree: 3.8% Strongly Agree: 30.2%

Somewhat Disagree: 6.6%

A little over half (55%) either somewhat agree or strongly agree that they would like to learn more about how to grow their own food. 34% of participants feel neutral, 7% somewhat

Neutral: 34.0%

disagree and 4% strongly disagree with this statement.

Somewhat Agree: 25.5%

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Figure 14. Pie chart displaying responses to the statement “I am concerned that young farmers do not have access to farmland.”

Strongly Disagree: 0.0% Strongly Agree: 48.6%

Somewhat Disagree: 0.0% Neutral: 11.2%

A large majority (89%) of participants either somewhat agree or strongly agree that they are concerned that young farmers do not have access to farming, and 11% of participants feel neutral about this statement.

Somewhat Agree: 40.2%

CONCERNS ABOUT FOOD PRODUCTION Participants were asked to provide some of their concerns about food production. Several trends emerged: • Chemically/Genetically Modified/Processed Foods: A little over a third of participants said that they are concerned about the use of chemicals in food and farming practices like pesticides, genetically modified foods, processed foods, the addition of preservatives, and the impact it has on quality of food.

• Local Farms/”Big Agriculture”: A little less than a quarter of participants shared that they are concerned about the dominance and over reliance on big agriculture, the lack of support for local farms, and less access to affordable, locally grown, nutritious food. One participant would like to see the creation of a sustainable “foodshed”, where the majority of food consumed by Bucks County residents are grown and sold locally.

• Loss of Farmland: A little over one-tenth of participants mentioned being concerned about the loss of farmland due to development and land availability.

• Economic Viability: A little over one-tenth of participants are concerned about the economic viability of farming, including the costs associated with farming, the low income, and price of land.

• Loss of Generational Farming: A little less than one-tenth of participants reported that they are concerned about the loss of generational farming. Current farmers may not want to pass this career down and youth may not have an interest in farming.

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• Sustainability: Several participants are concerned about sustainability in general as it relates to agriculture, and its effect on the environment.

• Soil Health: A few participants commented that they are concerned about the healthiness of soil.

It is interesting to note that one participant shared new concerns that have arisen during the pandemic: “In light of the recent pandemic and some difficulty in buying some meats and dairy products, I am concerned about maintaining safe environment for workers and suppliers.”

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Farmers who are doing traditional crop

“

I’m VERY concerned about GMO’s and their

“

For agriculture in Bucks County, I am

farming still are under various pressures to do the whole chemical input/GMO thing.

long term affect on the human body.

concerned with soil and water health.

“

If we continue to sell the farmland, there won’t be enough land to farm to raise food for our comunities.

The labor involved; the money (or lack Concerned about irresponsible “big

there of) for farm laborers; agribusiness

“

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cutting out small farmers which effects all of us economically, environmentally, and sustainably.

“

agriculture” corporations/operations and

“

Over reliance on non local food and food

their impact on quality of food and the small, local, farmer.

producing and processing corporations.

QUESTIONS THAT THE EXHIBIT SHOULD EXPLORE Participants were asked to provide any questions they would want answered in this exhibit. Their questions fell into the following themes: • History/Evolution/Future: Thirty-nine percent of participants had questions about the history of farming in Bucks County, how that has evolved over time, and how it will inform the future of farming.

In particular, participants are interested in learning about local changes in the amount of acres farmed, the number of farms, types of farms, the rate of farm disappearance, what and how food was produced, and how products and crops were marketed. One participant suggested a visual depiction of farmland loss over time throughout Bucks County and visual projection of future loss if policies are not implemented. Participants also asked in general about the future of Bucks County farming and the potential growth and resurgence of locally grown produce.

Some participants want to explore the diversity of farm workers in Bucks County historically and today. One participant would like to know if there was ever a period of more Black/Brown owned farms in Bucks County and how we can also be inclusive to BIPOC communities as we work towards getting young people access to farmland. Another participant is interested in learning about the role Native Americans played in farming.

• Supporting Local Farmers: A little over one-tenth of participants said they want to know how best they can support local farmers in Bucks County. Some participants would like to know where to buy directly from local farms and farmer’s markets, and others asked where to buy foods seasonally.

• Preserving Farmland: A little over one-tenth of participants wrote about wanting to know what policies are (or should be) in place at the state or county level to preserve farmland in Bucks County.

One participant touched on the balance between farmland, land preservation and development.

• Economic Viability/Impact: A little less than one-tenth of participants reported that they would like to know about the economic viability and impact of farming in Bucks County. In particular, participants asked about the income of farmers and whether farmers are able to sustain their livelihoods.

• Interest in Farming: A few participants want to know how many young people still want to farm in Bucks County.

• Positive Contributions of Del Valley/Burpee: A few participants are interested in learning about the positive contributions made by institutions like Delaware Valley University and Burpee Seed Company.

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Was there a period when there were

Similar to most good historical exhibits-how does the past inform the present/future?

Can the county’s past farming practices/ history give current farmers clues on how

more black/brown owned farms and

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to be the best stewards of the land they can colonial farmers were not that great at taking

church on Buckingham Mountain I

move west wasn’t some romantic calling but stewardship. The high, muddy banks on the county’s streams are due to ‘legacy sediment”

also include BIPOC folks and other

In researching the little AME

care of the soil-lots of erosion. The urge to due to their land being worn out from poor

people access to farmland can we marginalized communities?

be. ex. as referenced by Jefferson/Adams,

“

as we work towards getting young

“

learned about the large number of black farmers in the area and their relationship with the local Quakers who supported their work. I’m curious

accumulated from erosion off agricultural

about where their descendants are

land starting in the colonial era.

and why they left.

“ “ “

How can an individual help support farming in bucks county?

What is being done, or what could be done to preserve farming and farmland in Bucks County?

What are the economics of maintaining a farm?

Most farms have disappeared from Bucks County. To me that is very sad.

“

I have seen so much change in my 66 years. I want to KNOW that there are young people caring about growing healthy and affordable foods locally.

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SURVEY Summary ofFINDINGS findings

The following is a bulleted summary of overall findings: •

People are very interested in the topic of Bucks County farming. There is an interest in learning about the history and evolution of agricultural innovations in Bucks County, hearing personal stories about farmers, and finding out how they can support local farmers, beyond buying directly from local farmers or going to farmer’s markets, which a majority of participants are doing already.

•

Participants imagine this exhibit to be rich in artifacts from large equipment like tractors to smaller seed packets, and photos of historic farms, farmers, and crops and livestock.

•

Participants have varying levels of familiarity with exhibition topics, but most are either somewhat or moderately familiar with them.

•

Participants are concerned about not having access to local food, which is an important factor for them when buying food. They are also concerned about the loss of farmland, economic viability and sustainability of farming, and the younger generation’s lack of interest in farming or access to farmland.

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SURVEY FINDINGS APPENDIces

APPENDIX A. Complete list of open-ended responses to Question 1: What words come to mind when you hear the phrase “Bucks County Farming”? (unedited).

What words come to mind when you hear the phrase “Bucks County Farming”?

Del Val college. All the wonderful farms north of Doylestown when I was growing up there in the 60s My heritage Farm Houses Family, Heritage and corn Ever changing Dairy vegetables corn plowing bailing harvest grange fair tractors trucks animals barns silos farmhouses agdealerships feedmills farmers Wrightstown Farmers’ Market.

Mule, hay, silos, stone barns, hyperlocal, DelVal, quakers, historical, family farms, Lenape Early settlers need to farm to survive Barns, piles of hay, dairy cattle, chickens, 1920’s Beautiful landscapes, local food sources, historic traditions.

Log gone farms .

Tractors, barns, fields of crops and dairy cows Farming The best farmland in the world Generations of families, pastoral, dairy, huge fields of corn my grandparents Authentic direct to consumer food. rustic, antique farming equipment, old barns Rows of corn, my family farm, growing up playing in the hay mow, riding in the wagon behind the corn picker dodging ears of corn My family farm Growing up playing in the hay mow Riding in the wagon behind the corn picker dodging ears of corn Sweet corn My grandparents were farmers Fresh corn Local History Dairy farms, corn, hay, tillers.

History, tradition, way of life Few and far between.

Cows and cornfields Traditions, family, 4-H, Grange Burpee Seeds, Delaware Valley University (formerly Delaware Valley College and the National Farm School), dairy farms, roadside stands/farm markets, by-gone era, preserved farms Burpee seeds Plows, thresher, stone barns

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What words come to mind when you hear the phrase “Bucks County Farming”?

Agriculture and important.

Barns Driving by acres of farm fields Crops, animals Early implements, amazing seed packet graphics, hay trolleys, picturesque farm houses Resilience. Hard working. Underrated and unappreciated.shovel, hoe Antiquities Progress Health abundent, delicious produce Homegrown Farm fields, horses, farmer, farming equipment, plow , tractor Green pastures, Burpee Seeds, Fordhook Farm, Apples, Corn, Yerkes Delaware Valley Univ and the courses to teach future farmers.

Early times: Lemon’s “The Best Poor Man’s Country.” Modern times: Struggle with economic factors and development pressures.

Plowingplows Apple trees, beekeeping, mills - for grinding grain or processing lumber, quilting, dairy cows and chickens. bountiful lush varied historical preservec Lost. Gone forever. Toll Brothers.

My Bucks County ancestors & their beautiful farms.

Fresh produce acres of corn and other vegetables and orchards full of fruit trees Burpee, experimental farming, Del Val, None Such Farmes, Yerkes, Tanners, Solly Brothers, fields, loss of farms to housing developments Acres of open space both farmed and for the animals. small family-run farms-- all over the county in the past Burpee Seeds, Apples, Christmas Trees, Horses, Honey Hollow Watershed, Asparagus Farms in lower Bucks (now Levittown) Rural, tradition, quality reaping hooks Cows, corn, Rodale our fam GARDEN-FRESH FOOD, LOTS OF IT Honestly, the first thing that comes to mind is too much land being sold for houses. How to support BC farmers. corn, tomatoes, Bountiful Acres Fields, crops, farm houses, tractors, farm stands Fields of produce Home, important Rural/urban connection, resourceful land base, diverse, evolving corn, tomatoes, Mercer Museum tool collection, HCM’s August and October panels, tractors, horses, cultural change, technological change berry picking, making jam & jelly, harvest, Thanksgiving (thanksgobblue), neighbors chickens, pumpkins (Bucks is the first place I ever saw pumpkins growing in a field!), agritainment, horses, cows, sheep, Wonderful fresh produce - especially corn. Small farms and farm stands.

Great soil Burpee and gro and sell, farm houses, food Lost to housing and commercial development

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What words come to mind when you hear the phrase “Bucks County Farming”?

Preserved farm land Open space and the smell of new mown hay.

Disappearing 2 things come to mind for me. One is driving around seeing fields of corn. Less and less as the years go by but summer always reminds me of this. 2nd is hearing stories that my great-grandfather, grandfather and great uncles grew tomatoes in Warrington that they sold to Campbells.

My ancestors, including my parents, were farmers. It means good, fresh food;close family relationships; hard work.

German immigrants, slavery, rye, whiskey, hard work Beauty The bright green of winter wheat in early spring.

4-H, Penn State Extension office, USDA, Granges You should check with these organization. small, family run, fertile land The farmers & the want to be farmers in my family. Great grandfather, grandfather, daughter Small, family farms A largely forgotten past Primitive Wilson Seed Company Are there still working farms in Bucks County? All I see are developments where there used to be farms.

1957 when I came to Bucks County from Southwestern Pennsylvania, farming was “king.” Large homes, fertile soils, level ground, dairy and poultry and vegetables were the primary products produced. It was truly an agricultural society. Today 2020, most of the farms now grow houses and development projects.

All that good level soil now under houses in Levittown, thousands of acres under new highways, dairy, poultry and vegetables are no longer primary crops. During the past 60 years Bucks County citizens have moved from a rural agrarian society to an urbanized industrialized society. stone barns, small hay and crop fields, deer pressure, Fordhook research station and Burpee Fruit and vegetables, agronomist crops.Market Gardening History, pride, community, origination, pioneers Sweet corn. Hay bales.

A few things: bucolic rolling hills, bountiful harvests, but also the people and industries involved in the history of Bucks County farming (indentured labor, enslaved labor, farm workers, farm owners, families, businesses) barns, mowing hay Burpee seeds, Bountiful acres, corn, orchards. Also the agricultural works, Del Val farm school Hard work by many deeply-rooted families in this county.

Growing up on a farm in Bucks Prior to Toll brothers McMansions and commuters moving in from New York.

Landreth Seed Co. Fresh Fruits and Veggies. Heritage Delaware Valley University, Burpee, rolling hills & farmland, local butchers & dairies, and milk in glass bottles.

Wheat and other early cash crops Farms, farming tools, Seed Companies, Burpee.

Strawberries , corn, and tomatoes Fordhook Farm, Burpee Co. Preserved farms and low development livestock, food, vegetables, grain, beans, hay, machines, family, hard work.

Dairy and horticulture

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APPENDIX B. Complete list of open-ended responses to Question 2: What images and artifacts might you expect to find in an exhibition on the history of farming in Bucks County? If none come to mind, write “none”. (unedited).

What images and artifacts might you expect to find in an exhibition on the history of farming in Bucks County? If none come to mind, write “none”.

Any one of the farm buildings and silos in bucks county.

Old photos and stories of the farmers and fields and who they sold their products to Tools, machines, pictures of past farms and farmhouses, then and now pictures pictures of locals plowing, old farming equipment and signage Farm implements, Indian artifacts unearthed such as arrowheads etc. Non electric tools, large equipment., various types of farming memorabilia.

Maps pictures real tools and machines story’s statistics then and now 4H life Dr. Lettie Smith, 1st female doctor in Newtown, “invented a machine to churn butter and received a patent for her butter worker in 1853, marketing them at area agricultural fairs.”

Mules on towpath, stone barns, hay fields, historical family farmers, Lenape Indians, Native American artifacts found while farming, Plows and other horse-drawn equipment Sickle bar sharpener, (farm tools),milk jugs, chicken layer boxes, draft horse’s, plows, cookware.

Fields with crops, animals, farmhouses, barns, silos, windmills, tractors, other farm machinery and equipment.

Farmer’s stand . Muss being able to buy fresh produce . ephemera, milk jugs and cans from the dairies, Del Val College when it was the farm school. Families that still farm. Stories from those that grew up in farming families Photos of farms, seed packets, catalogs, and tools.

Rook Brothers Tractor Old plows, tools used - signs butter churner, scythe, etc. ohh so many. would love to see hand held tools as well as machines as they develop over time to show innovations and improvements cows Aerial photos (illustrating past and present/land development), items showing progress from past to present (milking stool, milk can, milking machine) various farm implements (from hand operated, to horse drawn, to tractor drawn), things that show progress in how crops/products were processed and marketed.

Photos of farms and farmers old farm equipment Farm tools, implements and machinery Items related to milking cows, and processing the milk. Hay trolleys, bailers, horse plows.

Photos: farmers, fields, crops Tools. Historical aerial views.

Pictures of barns. Vintage and antique farm implements Antique tools and farming implements, old photos, old maps of the area, relics from old farms Farming equipment and local farming family history.

Old farm equipment....BARNS! Old hand tools from colonial times to present.

Images of historically significant farms, histories of these farms and perhaps material culture relating to them implements, personal narratives, photos, videos, statistics over time, glass bottles found in the ground, old animal images, houseware items used for making food from the grown grains etc..

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What images and artifacts might you expect to find in an exhibition on the history of farming in Bucks County? If none come to mind, write “none”.

Farm implements, pics of barns Dairy equipment and seeds Shovel, how, horse and plow, manure.

Thresher machinery Mill stones horse drawn plows. the farmhousekitchen.

Old tractors bailing equipment, tractors, barn tools, farm hand tools Pictures of barns, fields, farmhouses of wood or stone, silo’s, signs like ‘Fresh Eggs’, ‘Produce’, Seeds packages, bill heads from farm or supply stores in BC. list of Preserved Farms with owner’s name, date and total acreage of preserved farms.

Images of lost farms before and after. Stories of life on BC farms Hicks' Twining Farm paintings.

Plows, harrows,wagons,takes,pitchforks,tractors,mowers, I would like to see the roles both women and animals contributed to farming. pictures of farm in area both still standung and also demolished. links to present day. underground railroad link?

Old photos. Farm tools & implement Old seed catalogs, seed packets, historical photos, innovative and regionally-specific farming tools farm implements, seed packages and catalogs, esp. from Landreth and Burpee; models of PA barns, complete with PA German hex signs, I know from your fraktur collection that there was a large German community in Bucks Co.; info on breeds of livestock raised; lots of photos Farm tools, photographs, signs, seeds, families reocrds/journals, related businesses and their info.

All the old hand tools and explain what the were used for. farm equipment, barns, farm animals Old maps and photos to show what the landscape used to be, before all the development hoes, shovels, rakes, watering devices (hoses, watering cans, sprayers) Photos, stories, maybe some farming equipment. I would love to see price comparisons of products to today. old farm implements, evolution of tractors, successful and unsuccessful pictures portraying good years and bad, Burpee history Pictures of people working in the field. pictures of barns, list of names of farmers in Bucks County through the years, list and pictures of crops grown.

Smith plow, nursery tool(s), clover mill, limestone kiln, Penn notebook (earmarks), Del Val University, county farm, apple varieties, spring house, milk can, seed companies dinner horn; barns; flax breaks; querns; threshing floors and how they work(ed); comparisons of old and new tools, some of which haven’t changed much (eg: rakes, shovels, hoes, etc) and some of which have (eg: dinner horn/cell phone; gold pocket watch/digital wrist watch. And don’t forget the ladies’ tools such as cooking tools, pots and pans, canning and preserving artifacts, stoves themselves, ovens and baking. The animals themselves have changed and that would make for interesting comparisons.....

Antique machinery, tools, feed bags, farms, harvests Agricultural implements, salesman sample implements, patent models, images of seed manufacturers and implement manufacturers Garden rakes, seed packets, catalogs. Who were field hands women, children , prisoners? ag/farming technologies/methods from precolonial (indigenous tribes), colonial days to the present. Images and historical records on farm labor conditions and ethnic makeup etc. Where was the best land in the county and who farmed/controlled it?

Crop fields, farm buildings, working animals, how grain and feed were delivered and crops transported to the city and surrounding areas

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What images and artifacts might you expect to find in an exhibition on the history of farming in Bucks County? If none come to mind, write “none”.

Photos of farms, farming tools & machines Historical farms and family owners. Creative solutions developed in the county and in the area. A pictorial timeline of the amount of farmland at various points in time. How farming has become more productive.

The Slack farm Farming implements shown as they are meant to be used.

Farmer’s produce stands, sweet corn, pumpkin patches Old farm equipment, maybe old newspaper stories that discuss farming.

Photos of local farmers and farms from the 1600s through the present day. Artifacts: plows, hand tools, how a farm was self-contained in the early days, i.e. a farmer had to be a bit of a blacksmith, horse shoe-er, mechanic, weatherman, vet, cobbler, reader to know what the latest plant, disease, etc. was.

Plows, kitchens, root cellars Old farm equipment; photos Horse drawn plow. Corn crib filled with bright yellow dried corn.

Farmers and families, barns, crops, 4H clubs, grange halls, animals artifacts - antique tools, equipment. images - processes, barns, pastures Tractors, plows & tools Conestoga-looking wagons pulled by hoses, then tractors. Long pig pens. Silos. Horses led down the incline in back of a barn pulling bales of hay on a pullover rope into the lofts. Milk houses. Truck patches of vegetables.

Cook houses separate from living quarters. Manure piles. Chicken houses. Dirt roads. Rail fences. Goats.

Burpee’s Seeds, Hobensacks, Doylestown Agricultural Works, Quakertown tobacco products, Grange Fairs Tools , bucolic Advertising for their business Old photographs and machinery. horse drawn equipment equipment; maps of farm ownership and use; narratives of crop production changes, photos of buildings, equipment, farmers and produce, Equipment, packaging, farmer images Centuries old farming tools and equipment, sepia tinted photos Thresher. Bailer. Corn stalk binder.

Pictures and/or drawings (also paintings and advertisements) of the people and industries involved; material culture like clothing, farm equipment or machinery, art and culture produced by and for the agricultural sector; newspaper articles; diaries; crop and ag. life calendars and log books farming equipment Seeds, etc Photos of farms that were and are; farming implements; pictures of longtime farmers. I have photos to contribute!

Land maps, topo maps, horse history, inventions, building/farm photos, tools of the trade for the time.

Old farming equipment drawn by horses and tractors.

Horse/Mule drawn farm equipment Seed Catalogues, growing tips and tricks, marketing materials, tools, popular plants at certain times Paintings of local farms and/or farm life by local artists, aerial photography, old signs/prices for meat, poultry, produce & dairy products, and commonly used agricultural-related tools.

Farming equipment and images of early farming activities Farming tools, action photos of farming progress. Seed companies and production of seeds. Success of farming industry.

Levittown before homes were built, I believe it was farmland but I don’t remember what was growing

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APPENDIX C. Complete list of open-ended responses to Question 11: What are some of your concerns, if any, about food production? (unedited).

What are some of your concerns, if any, about food production?

The prevalence of large industrial food farming GMO and pesticides That our local farmers are being brought out buy people that want to build luxurious homes.

Family farms are becoming obsolete because Families cannot earn enough to sustain them. Governmental restrictions and laws.

Less farms. Restrictions education I am more concerned about the education of young people about food as it will have an impact on corporations that produce far too much “junk” food and foods with poor nutritional quality.

Access to nutritious, local food. Fair farmer wages and costs to farmers for organic food production. Land access and affordability.

Too much comes from out of the country That corporate controls what the farmers can do. By that I mean they control prices by starving or flooding the market. that we are going to run out of land and need other ways to grow food, like hydroponics. That most people don’t understand how much farming is needed.

Food distribution and access to grocery deserts Most food is over processed and not organic Too processed, pesticides Access to land for new farmers and diversity in farming and food production In a few years there will be no farms with all the housing developments.

The effect of chemicals used, and how it relates to our health.

Too much processed foods Disease passed on to humans.

Too many farms are being lost to high property taxes in the county and as more housing is built the amount of usable land for farming is diminishing.

The monoculture system of large farms and effect on the environment.

The food supply chain in general.

Why is ecoli so prevalent now? the affect of processed food and meat on the environment DDT, pesticide use and water contamination & soil erosion prevention. food that has been altered from its original state. example:carrotts were not all orange Pesticides i am more concerned about disalearence of historical farms and farmlands. I am concerned about irresponsible changes to the landscapes. the process and any harmful chemicals 1. Some farmers don’t have children who want to continue farming and young people who would like to farm can’t afford land. 2. Farmers who are doing traditional crop farming still are under various pressures to do the whole chemical input/GMO thing.

Pesticides, farmers not earning a living wage, youth not interested in sustainable food production too much processed chemically treated food on the market Not produced locally the fewer pesticides and GMOs the better If we contniue to sell the farmland, there won’t be enough land to farm to raise food for our comunities. Kids no longer grow gardens.

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What are some of your concerns, if any, about food production?

Fewer local farms mean less access to locally grown food Safe crops yield solid, long-lasting friendships.

Sustainability. contamination Farm Land being taken by developers.

Costs associated with farming to enable it to be a consistent and adequate income for the farmer Making sure agriculture remains an integral part of Bucks County, for the benefit of both for those raising the products and those nurtured by those crops, physically and emotionally.

Food needs to be healthy -- I don’t always go for organic, mostly because it is more expensive, but I do look for additives. I love to cook so how it looks is as important as how it tastes. I get really annoyed when I go to the store and I’m not sure where the produce is grown, especially right now in the middle of the growing season. I get REALLY ANNOYED by California cows advertising in PA when PA is a major dairy producer; Old varieties being phased out. The availability of Silver Queen corn used to be on every roadside stand and now you can barely locate it. The supermarketalways carries the bicolor corn from Florida. It is not my preferred variety. It was the best pleasure stopping by the local farmer sled to buy fruit n veg growing up.

It has to many things in the contents that I can not pronounce.

Some food cannot be grown locally. We use up resources to get these foods to our markets. We should have more hot house gardening and hydroponics Support is needed for creation of a sustainable “foodshed” where the majority of foodstuffs (from grains to fruit) that are consumed by the area’s residents are grown and sold locally. Too much of the county’s agricultural land is used to grow row crops (soy/corn) in an unsustainable way for animals rather than people.

Too much preservatives We need less (or none) hormones in animal meat and less (or none) pesticides in the field crops. Further, if farmers would deep plow and not do no-till it would help all the way around.

Our aging farmers and not enough young people going into small / local farming Pesticides and added junk that make us sick Not distributed in poorer neighborhoods. too much processing loss of farmland to development, oligopoly of producers, inability to meet population growth Sustainability, dominance of “big ag” Cruelty to animals, sustainability How can young people economically afford to become involved in food production in Bucks County without having off-farm employment to have sufficient funds to support his/her family?

Economic viability Climate impact, quality of the food (processing) The labor involved; the money (or lack there of) for farm laborers; agribusiness cutting out small farmers which effects all of us economically, environmentally, and sustainably.

Hopefully the farms will continue from generation to generation!

I’m VERY concerned about GMO’s and their long term affect on the human body. I’m VERY concerned about keeping the ground healthy and pure.

Processing and cleanliness, soil nutrition, land availability and cost The using of pest control.

Sale of farmland to developers; in particular, quid pro quo agreements with local governments to re-zone farmland for sale to developers. Need a more aggressive open space plan similar to Buckingham and Upper Makefield. Concerned about the state of the Dairy industry and this no longer being sustainable to the small farmer. Concerned about irresponsible “big agriculture” corporations/operations and their impact on quality of food and the small, local, farmer.

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What are some of your concerns, if any, about food production?

Pesticides, GMOs Imports. New bugs.

Safety in mass processing of produce. The support of our local farmers.

Over reliance on non local food and food producing and processing corporations For agriculture in Bucks County, I am concerned with soil and water health and the lack of diversity in farm ownership and management. We need to encourage our STEM students to study and work in agriculture to solve future challenges the climate change is bringing and we need everyone, not just white folks interested in working on solution. For global ag production I’m concerned with wide scale crop failure, famine and human migration away from regions near the equator that will no longer support agriculture as we know it. In general, increasing biodiversity in agriculture and getting growers (farmers or home gardeners) access to genetically diverse seed varieties that fit their growing objectives and local climate. The dissociation of produce and animal production has potential to mess up the nutrient balance of farming. For example we end up with too much manure and nowhere to spread it so it ends up polluting the water rather than nourishing plants (Chesapeake Bay). However specialization in ag. production allows for scaling up and potentially more efficient production. How can this be done sustainably? Most farm owners are white and many farm laborers are people of color? https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/Highlights/2019/2017Census_Farm_Producers.pdf Are the people tending the land the owners with intent to pass it onto their kids and/or are they incentivised for long term soil and water health, if they are just leasing? What are the benefits and drawbacks to eating locally and seasonally rather than importing fresh produce from regions where it grows abundantly such as CA and Chile?

In light of the recent pandemic and some difficulty in buying some meats and dairy products , I am cocerned about maintaining safe environment for workers and suppliers.

Pesticides Appropriate/minimal use of man-made chemicals in the food chain.

Quality of farming and processing I have concerns that less of our food is produced locally. when they take out the germ....Castle Valley Mill really educated me on this. They would be a HUGE asset to this.

The loss of it due to land development Access and quality

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APPENDIX D. Complete list of open-ended responses to Question 12: What questions would you like our exhibit to answer about farming in Bucks County? (unedited).

What questions would you like our exhibit to answer about farming in Bucks County?

What became of the many working farms in BC? How can we get more farmland preserved? How can we keep developers from developing so much farm land?

Local farmers all around the area.

How farming can continue on in an area that continues to become more and more urbanized.

History and future Interested in the history of the production of beer, cyder and spirits in Bucks Co and the temperance movement.

Where is all the soy and corn produced in Bucks county being processed and sold? What is the history of bucks county farmlands? What is the median wage of an organic Bucks County farmer? How can Organic Bucks County farmers economically survive? What market outlets best serve bucks county (farmers markets, delivery, etc.)?

How can bucks county farmers compete with amazon, big grocery store prices, etc.?

How it was done back in the day and how it is being done currently Questions relating to historical information about farms and farming in Bucks County, examples of current farms and farming, and the future of farms and farming.

Future what else can I do besides buy local to help the farming community?

Why are so many preserved properties not farmed?

What are some of the oldest farms run by the same family and how did they adapt to the increase of housing development over the years agricultural land preservation How to access more farm markets Where is there enough land to farm?

How small family farms shaped the community and schools and access to food, how farming influenced traditions and local history How they have said farming is one of the main contributing factors to the Delaware river flooding issues....true or false?

History of what farmland gets lost to development.

How will farmers sustain their livelihood I am interested to know what was native to this area What were some of the earliest recorded struggles that our farmers faced that were not weather related.

Locations is it still profitable? Are farmers likely to sel their property to the buikler than cultivate it. How quickly are farms disappearing?

Interested in learning more about Burpee as a company. It has been in our area for a long time and there is a guy named Tim Adamski that posts stuff on facebook that seems interesting. Also many local people worked at Burpee and their stories always seem interesting. There also was a picture of the Seed House that Tim said they used to dry seeds in. It looked like a big barn but with lots of windows. I also would like to learn more about the Ag Works.

What does the state do for municipalities to sustain and preserve farms (i.e. financial, grants, laws)-- and has this increased over the past 3 or 5 or 10 years?

Where we go from here?

How can an individual help support farming in bucks county. Homesteading workshops

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What questions would you like our exhibit to answer about farming in Bucks County? history and future.

I am interested in educating & showing what historic farming was like & how the Bucks County farming villages created a social network. The role of each family member should be discussed. I would love to see a future exhibit on Bucks County's forgotten villages...Brownsburg, Taylorsville, Dolington, etc. People drive by them, unaware that there was a village there.

I wonder how many people still want to farm in Bucks Co? How has it changed and how is it the same?

What various types of farms existed in Bucks over the centuries? What did the various barns and animal enclosures look like over the years?

What can we do about the many fields that have been left unfarmed?

How to support local farmers. economic impact over time as a proportion of county economy How do farmers survive in today’s economy. How can we help our local. Farms thrive. how has farming changed in Bucks County? Where are the local farms and farmer's markets located from which to purchase directly?

Help to strengthen residents' connection to the land and the community (present and historical), through farming.

History, material and vernacular culture, stories about farms in bucks Is there a potential for growth and resurgence of locally grown produce?

History. How much acreage is available now. What are the economics of maintaining a farm.

Similar to most good historical exhibits-how does the past inform the present/future? Can the county's past farming practices/history give current farmers clues on how to be the best stewards of the land they can be. ex. as referenced by Jefferson/Adams, colonial farmers were not that great at taking care of the soil-lots of erosion. The urge to move west wasn't some romantic calling but due to their land being worn out from poor stewardship. The high, muddy banks on the county's streams are due to 'legacy sediment" accumulated from erosion off agricultural land starting in the colonial era.

I would also like to see something about wholesale distribution of food. Does food grown in the county get shipped elsewhere? Does it reach markets in Philly? Who are the local produce companies?

I'd like to see the transition - particularly in the 20th Century - from farmland to housing developments.

How were enslaved people used on Bucks Countyfarms & the prevalence of enslaved people Differences in how things are grown and why How much farmland have we lost in the county due to development? How can we entice local farmland to stay farmland beyond the current policies?

Balance between farmland, land preservation and development.

What is the future role of food production in Bucks County vs. the past food production practices.

Was there a period when there were more black/brown owned farms and as we work towards getting young people access to farmland can we also include BIPOC folks and other marginalized communities? In Bucks Co. how do we support farmers, not just the image of farms? How has Bucks County and the surrounding region contributed to genetic resources (preserved seed varieties) which are used and maintained today? Maybe early Burpee or other seed companies or crop wild relatives have contributed.

Importance of agriculture to local community. Magnitude of ag. historically What can we do to create a more sustainable food system? How do we raise awareness on the benefits of farming - from eating good, wholesome food to the ways in which it offsets climate damage.

To explore the diversity of farm workers throughout history Most farms have disappeared from Bucks County. To me that is very sad. I have seen so much change in my 66 years. I want to KNOW that there are young people caring about growing healthy and affordable foods locally.

Really just a well-rounded history. I’m not sure what role if any and to what extent Native Americans played locally. If they did, spare us identity politics please.

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What questions would you like our exhibit to answer about farming in Bucks County?

The decline/ if the county is doing anything to stop the housing industry from destroying open land.

1) What is being done, or what could be done to preserve farming and farmland in Bucks County? 2) Would like to see visual depiction of farmland loss overtime throughout the county and visual “projection” of future loss, over time, if changes/new policies are not addressed/implemented. 3) Would like to see something about the positive contributions that have been made by institutions such as Delaware Valley University and Burpee seed company. 4) What can we, as residents/citizens, do to help?

Tips and tricks for modern farming from our past.

History and future of farming in Bucks County.

In researching the little AME church on Buckingham Mountain I learned about the large number of black farmers in the area and their relationship with the local Quakers who supported their work. I'm curious about where their descendants are and why they left.

Perhaps the role native Americans also played in the county’s history of farming hmmm...I would like to understand the changes overtime in the levels of agricultural output as compared to the population (of the US, PA & Bucks Co). How much food is produced in Bucks Co as a percentage of food consumed over time. Related: how many people are farming now.

How do we support local farmers best? Where to buy certain foods throughout the seasons How agriculture has changed over the years (from the amount of acres being farmed to the number of farms, along with changes in how food is produced and changes in how products and crops are marketed) Explain the range of agriculture Most farms have disappeared from Bucks County. To me that is very sad. I have seen so much change in my 66 years. I want to KNOW that there are young people caring about growing healthy and affordable foods locally.

Really just a well-rounded history. I’m not sure what role if any and to what extent Native Americans played locally. If they did, spare us identity politics please.

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Future Bucks County Farming Exhibit: Community Survey The Mercer Museum needs your help to shape the content of an upcoming exhibition!

The exhibition will focus on the agricultural innovations and inventions of Bucks County farmers and growers over time.

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. We look forward to seeing your ideas come to life!

1. What words come to mind when you hear the phrase “Bucks County Farming�?

2. What images and artifacts might you expect to find in an exhibition on the history of farming in Bucks County? If none come to mind, write "none".

3. What exhibition themes interest you most? Select all that apply.

The innovations and inventions of Bucks County farmers since the 1700's.

The outcomes, challenges, and problems of agricultural innovation.

Current practices and modern day inventions to grow food products today.

The stories of Bucks County farmers.

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Future Bucks County Farming Exhibit: Community Survey The Mercer Museum needs your help to shape the content of an upcoming exhibition!

The exhibition will focus on the agricultural innovations and inventions of Bucks County farmers and growers over time.

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. We look forward to seeing your ideas come to life!

1. What words come to mind when you hear the phrase “Bucks County Farming�?

2. What images and artifacts might you expect to find in an exhibition on the history of farming in Bucks County? If none come to mind, write "none".

3. What exhibition themes interest you most? Select all that apply.

The innovations and inventions of Bucks County farmers since the 1700's.

The outcomes, challenges, and problems of agricultural innovation.

Current practices and modern day inventions to grow food products today.

The stories of Bucks County farmers.

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4. Please select a response based on your interest in the following topics: Not interested at all Slightly interested

Neutral

Pretty interested

Very interested

Historical farming tools and equipment Changes in Bucks County farms over time Foods grown or raised in Bucks County Agricultural sustainability and conservation Supporting Bucks County farms and farmers

5. Please select a response based on your familiarity with the following topics:

Not at all familiar

Historical farming tools and equipment Changes in Bucks County farms over time Foods grown or raised in Bucks County Agricultural sustainability and conservation Supporting Bucks County farms and farmers

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Slightly familiar

Somewhat familiar

Moderately familiar

Very familiar

6. Would you attend an exhibit that showcases the history and practice of farming in Bucks County?

Yes No

7. If you would not attend this exhibit, why not?

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8. Please rank the items below in order of most important to least important when buying food (1 being most important) ´

Organic ´

Grown sustainably ´

Local ´

Inexpensive ´

Variety ´

Pesticide/growth hormone free ´

GMO/Non-GMO ´

Fresh/non-processed ´

Convenience/accessibility

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9. Please select any and all the statements below that describe your relationship to farming and food markets.

I am a farmer.

I grew up on a farm.

I grow/or have grown vegetables and/or raise animals for food.

I maintain/or have maintained a garden.

I buy directly from farmers.

I go to farmer's markets.

I participate in agri-tainment (e.g., corn mazes, hay rides, seasonal fairs).

I only buy food from grocery stores.

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10. Please select the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements:

Strongly disagree

Somewhat disagree

Neither agree nor disagree Somewhat agree

Strongly agree

Preserving farms and farming in Bucks County is important to me.

I am concerned about access to nutritious food for my family.

I would like to learn about local farming and the role it plays in the overall food system.

I would like to learn how to grow some of my own food.

I am concerned that young farmers do not have access to farmland.

11. What are some of your concerns, if any, about food production?

12. What questions would you like our exhibit to answer about farming in Bucks County?

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Future Bucks County Farming Exhibit: Community Survey 13. What is your age?

Under 18 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ Prefer not to say

14. When did you last visit the Mercer Museum Within 6 months Within 12 months Within 2 years Within 5 years It's been over 5 years I have never visited

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15. Do you reside in Bucks County?

Yes No Prefer not to say

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IMAGE CREDITS Cover Page

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/20618110769266855/

Page 7

https://jooinn.com/corn-field-4.html

Page 8

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/old-farm-tools-jerry-editor.html

Page 9

https://www.etsy.com/listing/597464697/watlee-burpee-co-burpees-seeds1893-a4?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_ campaign=shopping_us_low-low_d-art_and_collectibles-printsgiclee&utm_custom1=833291d5-09a8-47d6-986b-17a2836839a9&utm_ content=go_6723177821_83065245761_388321021804_pla354814757658_c__597464697&utm_custom2=6723177821&gclid=CjwKCAj w4MP5BRBtEiwASfwAL0-TigSrN3KFimylYJ43vEsYi24wVp706OGiWniO2rhLSy Gz_cKM_hoC7c0QAvD_BwE

Page 14

https://humaninterests.seattle.gov/2016/04/15/low-income-seniors-cannow-apply-for-farmers-market-produce-checks/

Page 18

https://www.ehf.org.il/en/Pesticides

Page 20

https://www.landsofamerica.com/property/4.64-acres-in-Bucks-CountyPennsylvania/6897976/

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