A Beaver County farmer is retiring after years of serving the community. 

Don Kretschmann of Kretschmann Organic Farm in Rochester, Pennsylvania has been at it for almost 50 years.  

Kretschmann hoped that someone would have stepped up to continue his organic farm, but no one stepped up to take over the business that's provided fresh produce to businesses and families in our region. 

Kretschmann has farmed his land using methods to produce organically grown vegetables for restaurants and family tables without using chemical pesticides, fungicides or herbicides.

Surprisingly, when the demand for arugula, lettuce and vegetables from restaurants dried up due to COVID-19 mandated shutdowns -- the demand from families in the region for organic produce grew. The Kretschmann farm delivered at a drop-off location so families had one place to pick up the produce. 

With retirement plans on the horizon, Don tried for years to find someone to take the farm over. He even used a company to try and find someone to lease the property who had the same type of commitment to organic farming.

"I was hoping to find someone who wanted to continue the service of providing nutritious food to people for their health, the health of the soil, and the health of the planet," Kretschmann said. 

He began his organic family farm in the early 1970s when many people didn't know about organic produce. 

"We did not want to use the poisonous pesticides, fungicides, herbicides that have been widely used in agriculture and get more back to what nature does. I call it bringing earth to life. We use beneficial microorganisms. In addition, we can choose when we plant," Kretschmann said. 

Sadly, prior to his last harvest, no one who had an interest in organic farming stepped up to lease the land and continue the planting and harvests. It has left a void for many families and businesses who buy organic vegetables and herbs.

Kretschmann thanks his customers over almost five decades and reveals there are many possibilities after his retirement. One possibility is to help families in need learn how to grow organic vegetables and produce for their tables to sustain their families.

His daughter will continue to grow apples. During the pandemic, she began her own business.

"She will continue to grow apples for people in our region and also for hard cider as well," Kretschmann said.