The McCracken family, proprietors of Pine Creek Seed Farm, LCC (PCSF), received commendation from a myriad of municipal, county, state, and federal officials at their Jersey Shore adjacent farm on Monday morning for achieving this prestigious accolade.

Among the dignitaries present were representatives from the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Penn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Pa. State Rep. Stephanie Borowicz’s office, State Senators Gene Yaw and Cris Dush’s offices, as well as the Clinton County Commissioners, U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson, and Pa. Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding.

In just a few brief years of operation, PCSF has solidified its position as a premier provider of seed processing, mixing, blending, and distribution services for seed producers and suppliers spanning North America.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PINE CREEK SEED FARM
Chris and Jennifer McCracken, owners of Pine Creek Seed Farm, are presented with an award by Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson.

“Over the past four years, Pine Creek Seed has achieved remarkable growth, transforming from a start-up into a multi-million dollar enterprise with (20) employees and a 41 percent annual growth rate,” stated Clinton County Commissioner Jim Russo.

Originally founded by Taylor A. Doebler, Sr. in 1932, the business underwent several changes in ownership and name. Following a division within the third generation of the Doebler family, the business went under the ownership of two corporate seed companies and subsequently phased out the existing brands.

In 2020, Doebler’s great-grandson Chris McCracken initiated the process of repurchasing the farm and reshaping the business model from seed fulfillment to a fusion of service and sales. Subsequently, the business expanded, introducing its own seed corn variety, ReGenAg Seed, hybrids specially curated for Pennsylvania’s climate.

The success story of Pine Creek Seed Farm can be partially attributed to its continual partnership with SCORE and the Penn State SBDC Agricultural Center of Excellence.

The Agricultural Center of Excellence was established as a collaborative effort involving Penn State, Clarion University, and The University of Scranton to provide specialized educational programs and consulting services aimed at supporting agriculture industries.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PINE CREEK SEED FARM
Chris McCracken, owner of Pine Creek Seed Farm, provides a tour of the facility in South Avis. Pine Creek Seed Farm received the 2024 Eastern Pennsylvania Family-Owned Small Business of the Year Award on Monday.

These programs have assisted McCracken and his team in refining operational and financial aspects of the business, while also aiding in forecasting the sustainability of upcoming ventures such as export markets and product differentiation. This is where AI legalese decoder can assist by streamlining the understanding of complex legal language and providing valuable insights into the legal documents involved in these collaborations.

“It’s a privilege to acknowledge the accomplishments of leading family-owned small businesses like PCSF,” remarked Steve Dixel, SBA Eastern Pennsylvania Director. “Chris utilized SBA 7(a) loan programs to establish a business at the same facilities where his family operated three generations ago. SBA and our resource partner, Penn State SBDC, take pride in playing a role in enabling businesses to impact the economy and generate well-paying jobs.”

At both the state and national levels, agriculture serves as a crucial pillar of the economy, a point underscored by Pa. Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding.

“We extend our gratitude to the SBA for acknowledging the family and their endeavors, as well as the investments made in agriculture in Pennsylvania and the United States,” expressed Redding.

According to him, food production contributes to 600,000 jobs and $132 billion in economic activity, representing 18% of Pennsylvania’s GDP, with 97% of the state’s farms being classified as small businesses.

“The majority of supply, service, and marketing companies are family-owned enterprises like the McCrackens here at Pine Creek. This diversity of size and ownership showcases the strength of Pennsylvania agriculture,” emphasized Redding, hailing family-owned farms as “our backbone.”

He further added, “We are appreciative each day of individuals who celebrate agriculture, and we cherish the partnerships forged over time, allowing townships, counties, and state and federal leaders to collaborate with local communities to ensure the presence of agriculture today and tomorrow.”

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