HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS Pine Creek Seed Farm was named the recipient of the 2024 Eastern Pennsylvania Family-Owned Small Business of the Year Award by the U.S. Small Business Administration Eastern Pennsylvania District Office. In attendance were the McCracken family, owners of PCSF; friends, employees, 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; the Clinton County Commissioners; U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson; and Pa. Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding.
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.
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.
HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS Pine Creek Seed Farm was named the recipient of the 2024 Eastern Pennsylvania Family-Owned Small Business of the Year Award by the U.S. Small Business Administration Eastern Pennsylvania District Office. In attendance were the McCracken family, owners of PCSF; friends, employees, 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; the Clinton County Commissioners; U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson; and Pa. Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding.
SOUTH AVIS — Promising local business Pine Creek Seed Farm was named the recipient of the 2024 Eastern Pennsylvania Family-Owned Small Business of the Year Award by the U.S. Small Business Administration Eastern Pennsylvania District Office for exceptional contributions to the local economy and community.
The Family-Owned Small Business of the Year Award is selected annually from nominees across the 40 counties of Eastern Pennsylvania. The award is given to a family-owned business that has demonstrated exceptional growth, community involvement, innovation, sustainable practices and positive family business dynamics.
The McCracken family, owners of Pine Creek Seed Farm, LCC, (PCSF) were recognized by a slew of municipal, county, state and federal officials at their farm just outside of Jersey Shore on Monday morning for this accomplishment.
Attendees included 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 short years of operation, PCSF has distinguished itself as a leading provider of seed processing, mixing, blending and distribution services for seed producers and suppliers across 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,” said Clinton County Commissioner Jim Russo.
Originally started by Taylor A. Doebler, Sr. in 1932, the business has changed hands and names numerous times. After being split by the third generation of the Doebler family, the business was sold to two corporate seed companies and the brands were faded out.
In 2020, Doebler’s great-grandson Chris McCracken began the process of re-purchasing the farm and transitioning the business model from seed fulfillment to a hybrid of service and sales. Since then, the business has expanded and introduced its own seed corn lineup, ReGenAg Seed, hybrids specifically selected for Pennsylvania’s climate.
The success of Pine Creek Seed Farm is in part to their ongoing collaboration with SCORE and the Penn State SBDC Agricultural Center of Excellence.
The Agricultural Center of Excellence was started as a joint initiative with Penn State, Clarion University and The University of Scranton to support agriculture industries through specialized educational programming and consulting services
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 assist McCracken and his team in developing operational and financial aspects of the business, as well as forecasting the viability of future endeavors such as export markets and product differentiation.
“It’s a privilege to recognize the achievements of leading family-owned small businesses like PCSF,” said Steve Dixel, SBA Eastern Pennsylvania Director. “Chris leveraged SBA 7(a) loan programs to form a business at the same facilities his family had three generations prior. SBA and our resource partner, Penn State SBDC, are proud to play a role in helping businesses impact the economy and create good-paying jobs.”
Both at the state level and nationally, agriculture plays a critical role in the economy as one of America’s largest industries, a message driven home by Pa. Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding.
“We want to say thank you to the SBA for recognizing the family and the work that they’re doing, but also the investment that you’re making in agriculture here in Pennsylvania and America,” said Redding.
According to him, 600,000 jobs and $132 billion in economic activity come from food production, equating to 18% of Pennsylvania’s GDP. Of the farms in Pennsylvania, 97% are small businesses.
“A large majority of the supply and service and marketing companies are family owned businesses like the McCrackens here in Pine Creek. I don’t think we should discount that because that diversity of size but also the diversity of those companies is really the power of Pennsylvania agriculture,” said Redding, who called family-owned farms “our strength.”
He added, “We are grateful every day to folks who are celebrating agriculture, and we are grateful for the partnerships that have been formed overtime that allow for townships and counties and state and federal leaders to work with local communities to make sure that agriculture is here today and tomorrow.”
For the first time in 20 years, the state governor implemented an economic development strategy for the state. One of the five pillars of the plan centers on agriculture.
“For the very first time, (the budget includes) money for innovation. We can research, we can market, we can conserve, we can preserve, but we’ve never been able to make an investment in innovation and this company is about innovation,” said Redding.
Regarding the significance of family-owned farms, Representative GT Thompson — who serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture — said, “Businesses like Pine Creek Seed Farm are the cornerstone of communities throughout Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional district and play a central role in building a strong community in the commonwealth and county.”
“Pennsylvania agriculture is science, technology and innovation. Those are the three words that define it and those are the three words that help it grow,” he added, highlighting the integral role of the pursuit of innovation in the state’s agricultural sector.
He called the work of seed growers like PCSF the root of the agricultural industry.
To commemorate the accomplishment, Thompson offered remarks on the House floor recognizing Pine Creek Seed’s accomplishment, which will be preserved in the Congressional Record for perpetuity.
In further recognition of the farm’s accomplishment, Senator Bob Casey said in a statement read at the ceremony, “A business is made great by its people, and the people who make up Pine Creek Seed Farm at every level have consistently shown dedication to grow, to innovate and to expand,” a sentiment shared by many in attendance.
“Chris is most deserving of this award and recognition,” said nominator Martin Brill, Coordinator, Ag Center of Excellence, Penn State SBDC. “Pine Creek Seed Farm exemplifies the best in small business values and the American entrepreneurial spirit. The company is committed to unexcelled customer service and value-added products for the long-term sustainability of this business.”
Co-nominator Director Tim Keohane, Penn State SBDC added, “With keen insight into family dynamics and the business’s impact on the community, Chris has refocused PCSF to increased sales and profitability.”
McCracken called winning the award “surreal.”
He said, “As a 4th generation seedsman in this family business, I am grateful that we were able to purchase the entire facility and build this ag business from scratch, just as my great grandfather did,” an accomplishment only made possible by the support and tireless contributions of his wife and son, Crae.
In a proclamation written to congratulate the McCrackens, Pa. Governor Josh Shapiro said, “The selection of Pine Creek Seed Farm for this prestigious award is a testament to its excellence, I am confident that it will continue to play an indispensable role in the agricultural supply chain of our Commonwealth and our country for many years to come.”
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