Duda’s Farm Closes Stands Amid Financial Struggles

BROWNSVILLE, Pa. A local farming legacy that has served Southwestern Pennsylvania for decades is now at risk of disappearing. Duda’s Farm, a family-owned operation based in Brownsville and known for its roadside stands and signature “super sweet corn,” has announced it will drastically reduce operations for the 2025 summer season due to severe financial struggles and ongoing challenges.

In a heartfelt post shared on Facebook, the Duda family revealed that only three roadside stands will open this year, located in Uniontown, Washington, and at the farm itself. All other locations will remain closed.

“We are having serious financial difficulties,” the post began, candidly laying out the factors contributing to the crisis. Among them are lingering effects from last year’s drought, significant crop damage from deer, a sharp rise in production costs, shrinking customer numbers, and profit margins that continue to decline. The family also mentioned the difficulty of finding reliable and consistent staff, another strain on their already limited resources.

The post went on to express just how dire the situation has become for the family. “My brother Andrew and I have not taken a pay yet this year. Not a single penny,” they shared. “Why? Because we were trying to save the farm. It’s that serious. To be honest, we are on the verge of potentially losing the farm in bankruptcy.”

Duda’s Farm has been a community fixture for 35 years. What started as a simple roadside wagon offering fresh produce has grown into a trusted name across the region. Today, the farm grows more than 25 different fruits and vegetables and has long been a summer staple for locals who look forward to its high-quality, locally grown produce.

However, the economic and environmental challenges of recent years have taken a heavy toll. In the fall of 2024, the family made the difficult decision to scale back for the upcoming season in hopes of surviving the financial downturn. Along with closing several stands, staffing will also be reduced to conserve resources.

Despite the difficult news, the family remains hopeful that the community can help turn things around. “We need you, our customers,” the post pleaded. “We need you to support us. If this doesn’t happen this year, then this will be the final year of our farm.”

The emotional appeal has resonated with many longtime customers who see Duda’s not just as a place to buy produce but as part of the fabric of their summers and their community.

Now more than ever, the future of Duda’s Farm depends on the people who have supported it for decades. As the farm enters what could be its final season, the Duda family is asking neighbors, friends, and longtime customers to help keep their legacy alive, one year of corn, and one visit, at a time