The History of Everything Way-Har Farms
A little about the farm...
Our farm has been family owned for generations, since 1952. It started at 190 acres and has since then been expanded. We have recently added a barn to help with our growing needs. Along with our milking and show cows we grow all the nutritional needs for the cows. Foods such as corn, hay, wheat, rye, barley and alfalfa are all foods you can find on our farm.
TOURS
How to sign up
Contact us at 610-488-1281 to schedule a date and time for your tour! Sign Up Now!
It is $7.00 per child; which includes a complimentary cup with a lid and a kiddie cone. Through the tour you will see our cows, manufacturing facility, and shop. You will get the chance to see how the milk and ice cream are made and how they are transported to the store.
OUR PRIZE WINNING COWS
We enjoy exhibiting our registered cattle at local fairs and shows in addition to national shows across the country. This allows us to showcase our herd of cows and meet other great dairymen that share our passion for raising high quality cattle. You can find our Holsteins, Jerseys, Milking Shorthorns, and Brown Swiss at the following shows.
Reading Fair - Reading, PA
Kutztown Fair - Kutztown, PA
Pennsylvania Southeast Championship Show - Lebanon, PA
All American Dairy Show - Harrisburg, PA
World Dairy Expo - Madison, WI
Come visit our “show ladies” at the fair and get to see where Way-Har milk comes from!
About the Family, Store & Farm
The Lesher family has lived in the Upper Tulpehocken township area for 6 generations. These German descendants spoke fluent Pennsylvania Dutch, worked the land and were members of the local church. In 1952, the Lesher family purchased the current farm. This original farm was 190 acres and as the years past, the family added additional acreage.
In 1968, the herd of cows moved from an old German style bank barn to a modern 105 stall free-stall barn. Then in 2016, the Lesher’s made another major improvement and built a new free-stall barn that provide greater cow comfort along with better ventilation.
The family grows all of the nutritional needs for the animals on the farm. Growing corn, hay, wheat, rye, barley and alfalfa allows the cows to eat a special diet made just for them by the farm’s own nutritionist.
Preserving their resources is important to the family because they are committed to farming long term.
Farm Market & Dairy Store
Way-Har Farm Market is a third generation family-owned country store. The doors opened in 1970 as a dairy retail store selling milk from their farm-raised cows. The Lesher Family has processed and packaged their milk on the store premises; providing wholesome, super fresh milk and chocolate milk to the customers.
The retail store started in 1970 as the vision of Wayne Lesher and his brother Harold. The brothers wanted to bring their farm fresh milk directly to consumers and decided to make the bold move into retail sales. The farm market opened at a time when there were no convenience stores along Route 183 and initial sales were brisk. In 1979, they added on to the original facility.
As consumer wishes shifted and new convenience stores popped up in the area, the focus of the farm market shifted slightly. Milk was still king, but ice cream, and then later baked goods, crept up the ladder of prominence in store sales.
Today, ice cream, milk and homemade baked goods work together to bring a unique taste and product line to the loyal customers of Way-Har. The ice cream wagon is an additional source where delicious ice cream and milkshakes can be made and purchased. Additionally, you can find locally hand crafted baskets and other items displayed on the back wall. Whether you're from Berks, Lebanon or Schuylkill Counties, you won't find anything quite like Way Har!