[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 10, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H4171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CELEBRATING 90 YEARS OF KREIDER FARMS

  (Mr. Smucker of Pennsylvania was recognized to address the House for 
5 minutes.)
  Mr. SMUCKER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kreider Farms 
of Lancaster County on 90 years in business.
  Kreider Farms began in 1935 when Noah Kreider and his wife, Mary 
Hershey, bought the Hershey farm from Mary's father. Starting with 50 
chickens and a dozen cows, the following decades saw the Penn Township 
farm expand on their dairy and egg production.
  In 1972, Kreider Farms built their own processing plant and retail 
store for their milk and ice cream.
  Madam Speaker, 90 years later, Kreider Farms is the last full-scale 
egg and dairy farm in the United States. The fourth-generation business 
employs 475 people and encompasses 3,000 acres.

                              {time}  1040

  They are the largest egg producer in Pennsylvania and help make 
Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District the second-ranked egg-
producing district in the Nation.
  Kreider Farms' business practices are also noteworthy. Their focus on 
environmental responsibility and sustainability has won them numerous 
awards, and they are the first farm in the Northeast to be American 
Humane Certified.
  Kreider Farms has brought joy and nutrition to countless families 
across Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District and the Nation for an 
astounding 90 years.
  Madam Speaker, I congratulate Chairman Ron Kreider and Kreider Farms 
for their hard work and continuation of Pennsylvania's rich 
agricultural legacy. I wish them many more years of continued success.


           Congratulating Shady Maple Smorgasbord on 40 Years

  Mr. SMUCKER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Shady Maple 
Smorgasbord on 40 years in business.
  In July 1985, Marv and Miriam Weaver added on to their Shady Maple 
Farm Market and cafeteria with a new business venture, the Shady Maple 
Smorgasbord.
  Since then, Shady Maple has become the largest and one of the most 
highly rated buffets in the country. The restaurant covers 161,000 
square feet, seats nearly 1,200 customers, and employs hundreds of 
people. Specializing in authentic Pennsylvania Dutch food, the buffet 
features hundreds of food options as well as a from-scratch bakery and 
in-house smoked meats.
  Shady Maple Smorgasbord is just one part of the larger Shady Maple 
enterprise, which includes the farm market, a gift shop, and RV sales. 
The company has remained in family hands under Marv and Miriam's sons, 
CEO Lin Weaver and President Phil Weaver. The farm market and 
smorgasbord complex employ 750 people and attracts over a million 
customers a year.
  Madam Speaker, as Shady Maple celebrates 40 years in business, I 
commend the Weavers for their hard work on transforming a small 
cafeteria into a culinary destination that draws people from around the 
globe. May their success continue for the next 40 years and beyond.


               Recognizing Star Rock Farms in York County

  Mr. SMUCKER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the York County 
Agricultural Land Preservation Board for conserving the 50,000th acre 
of farmland in York County, which occurred at Star Rock Farms.
  Since its founding in 1990, the board has worked tirelessly to 
safeguard York County's rich agricultural heritage. Over the years, 
York County's farmland preservation program has become a model for 
protecting farmland from development and ensuring its availability for 
future generations.
  On August 20, 2025, the board celebrated this historic milestone with 
the preservation of Star Rock Farms in Brogue, Pennsylvania, a family-
owned, third-generation operation led by cousins Rob Barley, Abe 
Barley, Jr., and Tom Barley.
  Star Rock Farms was founded in 1932 by Abram M. Barley with the 
purchase of 12 acres in Manor Township in Lancaster County.
  Star Rock Farms has been a model operation and now raises dairy, 
beef, and swine in addition to growing crops in a sustainable manner.
  To date, 354 farms have been permanently preserved across York 
County, ensuring that our region's farming tradition continues to 
thrive.
  York County has shown how strong partnerships between government and 
landowners are necessary to protecting our Nation's farms. York County 
ranks third in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and ninth in the Nation 
in preserved farmland acreage. Together with Lancaster County, both 
located in Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District, our region 
proudly stands as a national leader in farmland preservation.
  Madam Speaker, I commend the York County Agricultural Land 
Preservation Board not only for protecting farmland but for preserving 
a way of life that sustains families, communities, and our Nation. I 
also thank Star Rock Farms for continuing to lead the way for 
agriculture in Pennsylvania's 11th District and for their efforts to 
support farmland preservation.

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