An established family farm known for its signature roadside produce stands throughout this part of the state has filed for Chapter 12 bankruptcy.
Brownsville-based That message was posted on Duda’s Farm Inc.’s Facebook page on March 21. Officials there were unable to be reached for comment. The owners are brothers Mark and Andrew Duda.
Duda Farms, on the other hand, promises in that post to keep its roadside markets open throughout the upcoming season, which begins in April.
According to uscourts.gov, filing for Chapter 12 is intended for ‘family farmers’ or ‘family fishermen’ with a’regular annual income.’ It enables financially distressed family farmers and fishermen to propose and implement a repayment plan for all or part of their debts.
Unfortunately, our farm had to declare Chapter 12 bankruptcy. But we need your help now more than ever. Too many things have happened to us in the last few years to bring us to this point. COVID, weather, severe animal damage, and increased crop input costs are just a few examples.
This is a frightening and stressful time for our farm and our families.” So many sleepless nights worrying about how we’ll make ends meet. We’ll reorganize and hopefully be able to get out of this jam…. Please continue to support our farm.
The Dudas have been farming for approximately 35 years, beginning with a small roadside wagon.
More than a dozen fruits and vegetables, including the famed “super sweet corn,” are grown on their 350-acre farm and sold at roadside stands and the farm store in Brownsville.
The owners have added greenhouses where they sell flowers, hanging baskets, herbs, and other items.
In addition, Duda’s provides fall hayrides and allows customers to pick their own strawberries in June.
Last season, the farm had nine roadside locations: Washington Crown Center, Greene County Airport, Brownsville, Belle Vernon, Uniontown, Chalk Hill, West Mifflin, Morgantown, and Westover, West Virginia.
