“Here we grow, Bedford. Here we grow."Sundreams Farm
Sundreams Farm. Trust your gut. You’ve likely seen their name before; perhaps you’ve even tasted their locally grown mushrooms on menus surrounding Bedford County. Places like the Omni Bedford Springs Resort, LIFeSTYLE Next Door, The Union, and Black Valley Provender all carry Sundreams Farm offerings.
Mushrooms are the anchor of their business. They’re grown in a controlled space, so their varieties are of excellent quality and are constantly available. Their long-term business goal is to redesign the farm using a permaculture system filled with trees, fruit, flowers, and vegetables. Permaculture combines “permanent” and “agriculture” and details a designed, edible landscape that improves and supports the local ecosystem.
Alex and Sam, co-founders and owners of Sundreams Farms moved to the area in 2018. They say that the timing of the COVID-19 pandemic and raising a toddler has made the experience of moving to the area more isolating.
Sundreams Farms caught my attention in 2019 when I spotted them at farmers’ markets and on local menus. They make farm-to-table ingredients, often an expensive luxury, accessible and affordable. As a parallel, accessibility to outdoor recreation can also be viewed as a luxury obtainable via word of mouth. Discover my exciting moments with Sam as we explored one of her most beloved local parks.
Q: What is Sundreams Farm?
SAM has two goals: 1) educating people on reconnecting to the earth and eating healthy food, and 2) providing nutrient-dense foods.
Q: What brought your family to Bedford County?
SAM: Our property is what brought us here. We were looking to start our homestead and grow organic food. The farm property fits all of our needs.
Q: Where is one of your favorite places to spend time outdoors locally?
SAM: Our property! The farm comprises 62 acres along Shaffer Creek, offering a diverse mix of rolling fields and woodlands. The hills and ravines are spotted with seasonal springs and offer many distinct microclimates and ecosystems–from the mature oaks and wild grapes on the ridges to fern-covered creek sides littered with walnuts and blackberries. When not working, we usually spend time as a family exploring the woods and conceptualizing how we will develop the "non-mushroom" parts of the farm.
Q: What micro adventure would you suggest to someone locally?
Sam: We started exploring Linn Run State Park after last year's market days at the Ligonier Country Market.
The road through the park follows a small crystal-clear creek, Linn Run. The valley walls are covered in ferns, and many patches of mature woods hold a vast diversity of wild mushroom species. The pull-off spaces along the road lead into perfect mushroom foraging along the creek. We also love the many different playgrounds for our daughter, Stella.
Q: What prep should someone consider before visiting Linn Run?
Sam: Check out Adam Falls, as it has effortless access near the park entrance and connects to many other trails if you want to make it a more extended adventure.
Q: What item do you always have on hand before heading outdoors?
Sam: Snips, boots, basket, and a mushroom knife.
Q: What is next for Sundreams Farm?
Sam: We would love to be involved in nature education and connection. There is a disconnect between people and the food they eat, and building a bridge could help close that gap. So many people suffer from a poor diet and have access to land. It is our goal to connect people back to the land. I know I can’t solve the entire problem, but I can get more involved with the community.
Haley: Linn Run is located in Westmoreland County, about 60 miles northwest of Bedford. I visited in late March, feeling the duality of an early spring as a light snowfall covered a few early blossoms. Linn Run State Forest is adjacent to the vast Forbes State Forest, with over 50,000 acres for outdoor recreation. The Park has three short trails totaling 3.15 miles. Adams Fall is a beautiful, serene waterfall that is easily accessible and was rushing during my spring visit. We hiked Adams Fall Trail, a one-mile loop. It was an obstacle course of rocks and twists and turns. I highly suggest stopping by Beam Rocks in Forbes State Park on your way home for a panoramic view above the treetops.
Sundreams Farm offers DIY grow kits and wholesale inquiries through its website. From May to September, they are also at the Ligonier Country Market or with local retail customers at Wholesome Living Marketplace.
Hikes with Haley, hosted by Bedford native and entrepreneur Haley Feaster, are monthly conversations featuring local voices to highlight the outdoor gems in Bedford, Pennsylvania (PA) and the greater surrounding region of the Southern Alleghenies. For trail recommendations and more guides, check out @hikeswithhaley on Instagram.
