McCracken, along with his wife Jenni, started Pine Creek Seed Farm in 2021 after a few years of planning.

“I was working with a corporate company and didn’t necessarily agree with their ideals,” McCracken said about the decision to start his own seed business.

McCracken, a seedsman with years of experience in the industry, purchased the property at 204 Tiadaghton Ave., Jersey Shore — the same spot where his great-grandfather, Taylor “TA” Doebler, Sr. started his business in 1932. In fact, his relative’s name can still be seen on the large warehouse behind Pine Creek Seed’s business office.

“This location is where my great-grandfather, Taylor Doebler, Sr., started his business. It was originally called Pine Creek Seeds,” McCracken said.

PHOTO PROVIDED The 1950s entrance sign is pictured.

Later, in the 1940s, Pine Creek Seeds would be incorporated into TA Doebler Farm. Through the years, as other relatives took over the business, it would shift and change name — while still centering its business on seed corn and other crops.

McCracken noted, the property next door to Pine Creek, will soon be purchased by Pine Creek Seed — meaning the business will be in the same footprint as TA Doebler’s decades before.

Pine Creek Seed is a bit different than the original business started during the Great Depression.

“There’s an opportunity here and in the east in the grasses and small seed business,” McCracken said.

So, Pine Creek Seed focuses less on seed corn and more on a variety of other products. The business offers 73 different species of their product including alfalfa, clovers, various peas and “every type of grass you can imagine,” McCracken said.

PHOTO PROVIDED TA Doebler, Sr. takes inventory in an old photo.

Pine Creek Seed has also dipped into cereal grains like wheat and barley too.

Almost all of these products were on display last year behind W&W Body Shop at the intersection of East Central Avenue and Tiadaghton Avenue in South Avis.

“Last year we had every species in those plots,” he said. “We’ve been bringing in a variety.”

Pine Creek Seed has even helped on a national scale in its short life.

McCracken explained that the pacific northwest had a terrible drought last year, among other challenges, which made it difficult to grow or produce crops. Add to it the shipping crisis on the West coast, and farmers in that area were unable to get the seeds they needed.

“I had relationship in a previous life with some businesses in Europe. So we brought in product from the Eastern ports,” he said.

In the end, about 4,000 pounds of seed was shipped to Pine Creek Seed. It was then repackaged and shipped out west for the farmers in need in that area of the country.

McCracken said this process utilized local rail ways, including the tracks which run near property. At the time, Pine Creek Seed picked up the seed near Jersey Shore Steel. However, he said they plan to install a railroad spur closer to the property next year so the product can be shipped closer.

Although Pine Creek Seed has been making its mark on a national level, McCracken also has his sights set on partnerships in the Clinton/Lycoming area too.

“We’re trying to work with local businesses and diversify,” he said. “We brought in molted barley for Bald Birds Brewery… and we’re growing a specialty corn for their distillery.”

McCracken hopes to continue to build those relationships as Pine Creek Seed grows.

Local homeowners who may need to re-seed their front lawn can also look to Pine Creek Seed.

“We sell directly to the consumer here… we’re actually looking to put a storefront in and going back to that type of operation,” McCracken said.

A storefront would be installed on the property next door, which Pine Creek Seed will be closing on in August.

“I hope to have that a year from now and bring in local community goods like honey, produce and other products,” he said.

Anyone who would be interested in purchasing from Pine Creek Seed can do so by calling 570-599-6949 or by visiting www.pinecreekseed.com.

Pine Creek Seed isn’t simply in the sale business. Last year, the McCrackens decided to start a new local tradition — a large corn maze behind W&W Autobody.

“Last year we thought maybe we’d get a couple hundred people in a weekend. We thought it would be a good way to introduce ourselves to the community,” McCracken said. “We ended up with a couple thousand in a weekend.”

This year, Pine Creek Seed’s corn maze and events will be bigger.

Jenni and Tyler Rae Laub, Pine Creek Seeds marketing and designer — who came up with the corn maze in 2021 — have been hard at work coming up with new designs and other exciting things.

The corn maze will be open for business each weekend from Sept. 30 to Oct. 30. This year, Jenni and Tyler Rae decided to expand the event.

If all goes to plan their will be two mazes — the large multi-acre maze at the cross roads and a smaller one across from Pine Creek Seed for children. Each will have the theme of the “Pine Creek Valley.”

McCracken noted that with current dry conditions, the smaller maze might not be able to grow in time for the maze, but is hopeful it can still happen.

“Parents would be able to watch from the bank above as their kids make their way through the maze. It’ll be shorter and easier for kids to navigate,” he said.

McCracken said last year’s corn maze only had one major challenge, parking.

With the purchase of the property next door, McCracken said weekend events will begin there. Pine Creek seed has purchased a trolley that can transport people to the large corn maze.

Easier parking won’t be the only perk either. Each weekend will be packed with music, food and drink, games, a pumpkin patch and much more.

Laub said they’re working on creating themed weekends. So far the following are planned for this year:

— A Cruise in Car Weekend on Oct. 7-9 featuring live music by The Heartstrings and food from The Mad Griller, Bart’s Pizzeria, Caribbean Touch and CB’s Bites. Floating Feathers Brewing Co. will also be on site.

— Troy Love is expected to perform on the weekend of Oct. 14-16. Food from Harter’s Hearth Woodfired Oven and CB’s Bites are also planning to be onsite.

— Oct. 21-23 will see a craft show weekend. Laub said about 20 vendors are signed up for the event so far. Food from Harter’s Hearth Wood Fired Oven and The Mad Griller will also be available.

— During the final weekend, Oct. 28-30, Pine Creek Seed will partner with Spook Haven to hold a haunted maze after dark. The weekend will feature Real Taste Taqueria, Bart’s Pizzeria and harter’s Hearth Wood Fired Oven too.

Laub noted these events and vendors may be subject to change as October gets closer. Visit Pine Creek Seed’s website or their Facebook page, “Pine Creek Seed Farm” for the most up-to-date information regarding the events.

McCracken noted each weekend Pine Creek Seed hopes to work with local nonprofits. The nonprofits, such as the Jersey Shore Lionesses, Jersey Shore Wrestling and others volunteer their time at the event and a portion of profits from the corn maze and events will go toward their organization, McCrackent said.

With the continued growth of Pine Creek Seed, McCracken and his wife are thrilled their hard work is paying off.

“I’m so happy to have everything back together again. And to have the corn maze,” Jenni said

McCracken said he and his family are glad to fill a void this area had.

“I’ve been in the seed business most of my life. We saw an opportunity and a void here in the east. My son, Crae, was showing an interest in the business so it made sense,” he said.

For McCracken, much like when his great-grandfather started TA way back when, it’s a family business. His oldest son Cody, although owning his own HVAC company, still assists on weekends. And many of the employees at Pine Creek Seed have worked with McCracken over the years.

“It really is a family business,” he said.