Pennsylvania's Oldest Farm Celebrates 309 Years Under 9th Generation Owners

The Miller brothers continue their family's legacy of operating the state's longest-running farm.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:10pm

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A vibrant, high-contrast silkscreen print featuring a grid of red vintage tractors, capturing the agricultural heritage and enduring spirit of the Miller family farm.The Miller brothers' collection of vintage red tractors, a symbol of their family's multi-generational farming tradition.Lancaster Today

A farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, has been in operation for 309 years, making it the oldest farm in the state. The farm was founded in 1717 by German immigrants Hans and Jacob Brubaker, and has been passed down through nine generations of the same family, including current owners Bob and Marlin Miller. Despite frequent offers from developers to sell the 62-acre property, the Miller brothers remain committed to preserving their family's agricultural legacy.

Why it matters

The Miller farm stands as a rare example of multi-generational family ownership and a testament to the perseverance of Pennsylvania's farming heritage. As urban development encroaches on rural areas, the Miller brothers' decision to maintain their ancestral farm provides a unique window into the state's agricultural history.

The details

The farm originally supported cattle and grew crops like tobacco, corn, and celery. Today, Marlin Miller oversees planting soybeans and hay, while Bob Miller maintains the property. The brothers also maintain a collection of vintage red tractors used by previous generations. A cemetery on the property holds the remains of family members dating back to the late 1700s.

  • The farm was founded in 1717 by German immigrants Hans and Jacob Brubaker.
  • The Miller name became part of the farm's history when Tobias Miller, Bob and Marlin's great-great-great-grandfather, married Elizabeth Brubaker.
  • The farm was awarded the first Tricentennial Farm Award by the PA Department of Agriculture in 2019.

The players

Bob Miller

One of the ninth-generation owners of the farm, responsible for maintaining the property.

Marlin Miller

One of the ninth-generation owners of the farm, responsible for overseeing the crops.

Hans and Jacob Brubaker

The German immigrants who founded the farm in 1717.

Tobias Miller

Bob and Marlin's great-great-great-grandfather, who married into the Brubaker family and became part of the farm's history.

Isaac Miller

The youngest of Tobias and Elizabeth's seven sons, and the father of John Miller, Bob and Marlin's father.

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What they’re saying

“They learned that land was available here in Pennsylvania from William Penn's agents or himself.”

— Bob Miller

“It's part of what was to become East Hempfield Township back in the early 1700s.”

— Marlin Miller

“We feel a little bit of a responsibility to honor that.”

— Bob Miller

“When I was 7, 8, 9 years old, watching my dad before I was old enough to safely operate tractors. I'd watch him in the fields plowing or cultivating.”

— Marlin Miller

“We're always asked by developers to sell, but we like our little oasis in this urban community, I guess you would say, to keep doing what we're doing.”

— Marlin Miller

What’s next

The Miller brothers plan to continue operating the farm and preserving their family's agricultural legacy for future generations.

The takeaway

The Miller farm's 309-year history serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving family-owned farms and honoring agricultural traditions, even as urban development encroaches on rural areas.