Pine Creek Seed Farm Awarded SBA Eastern Pennsylvania’s 2024 Family-Owned Small Business of the Year

PINE CREEK TOWNSHIP  – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Eastern Pennsylvania District Office this week recognized Pine Creek Seed Farm, LLC, located in Pine Creek Township, Clinton County, PA, as the recipient of its Eastern Pennsylvania Family-Owned Small Business of the Year Award for 2024.

A number of dignitaries were on hand to recognize the business and tour the Seed Farm operation. Guests included Steve Dixel, District Director of the SBA’s Eastern Pennsylvania District Office; Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding; U.S. Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson; Tim Keohane, Director of the Penn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC); Martin Brill, Coordinator of the SBDC’s Agricultural Center of Excellence; and Kara Ricciona, SBDC Director of Agricultural Business Development.

Dignitaries also included Clinton County Commissioners Jim Russo, Jeff Snyder and Angela Harding; Pine Creek Township Supervisor Dave Winkleman, Jr.; Liz Cooper representing U.S. Senator Bob Casey’s office; Brandy Reiter with State Senator Cris Dush’s office; Ernest Greene with State Rep. Stephanie Borowicz’s office; and Deb Rudy representing State Senator Gene Yaw’s office.

Now in its fourth year of business, Pine Creek Seed Farm (PCSF) offers a full range of seed processing, mixing/blending and distribution services for seed producers and suppliers across North America. Originally established in 1932 by Taylor A. Doebler, Sr., the business changed hands and names over the next 70 years before the third generation split the business. Over time the two businesses were sold to corporate seed companies and the brands were faded out, until Doebler’s great-grandson, Chris McCracken, re-purchased the businesses in 2020 to become a full-service wholesaler and distributor of a large variety of agricultural seeds, turf seeds, cover crop seeds and wildlife seeds. 

PCSF has grown from a startup to a profitable, multi-million-dollar business with 19 employees and a 41% annual growth rate. The business transitioned from seed fulfillment to a hybrid of service and sales and introduced its own seed corn lineup, ReGenAg Seed, hybrids specifically chosen for Pennsylvania. 

McCracken and his team, which includes his son, Crae, work with SCORE and the Penn State Small Business Development Center’s Agricultural Center of Excellence. These programs assist the PCSF team in developing operational and financial aspects of the business, as well as forecasting future endeavors such as export markets and product differentiation.

McCracken has been in the seed industry since childhood: through detasseling corn as a youngster to assisting with hybrid corn research and developing sales programs as an adult. With SBA’s 7(a) loan program, McCracken purchased back the family business and used an SBA Capital Line of Credit for inventory.

“It’s a privilege to recognize the achievements of leading family-owned small businesses like PCSF,” said Steve Dixel, SBA Eastern Pennsylvania Director. “Chris leveraged SBA 7(a) loan programs to form a business at the same facilities his family had three generations prior. SBA and our resource partner, Penn State SBDC, are proud to play a role in helping businesses impact the economy and create good-paying jobs.”

“Chris is most deserving for this award and recognition,” said nominator Martin Brill, Coordinator, Penn State SBCD Ag Center of Excellence. “Pine Creek Seed Farm exemplifies the best in small business values and the American entrepreneurial spirit.  The company is committed to unparalleled customer service and value-added products for the long-term sustainability of this business.”

“With keen insight into family dynamics and the business’s impact on the community, Chris has refocused PCSF to increase sales and profitability,” said co-nominator Tim Keohane, Director, Penn State SBDC.

Secretary Redding called the story of the McCracken family “extraordinary.”

“Plant genetics are essential to our future…to the future of agriculture and to the success of agriculture,” said Redding.

“Pine Creek Seed Farm has built a really strong business,” added Congressman Glenn Thompson. “I’m also proud of the SBA and what they do, providing great resources and standing shoulder to shoulder with our small businesses.”

“It’s an honor to be named SBA’s Eastern Pennsylvania Family-Owned Small Business of the Year,” said Chris McCracken, Pine Creek Seed Farm Owner and President. “I am a 4th generation seedsman in this family business. I’m grateful that I was able to purchase the entire facility and built this ag business from scratch, just as my great grandfather did. I see my sons, granddaughter and twin grandsons in line for subsequent generations to continue this venture which would not have been possible without SBA financing, counseling from SCORE and Penn State SBDC’s Ag Center for Excellence.”

McCracken credited his family and PCSF employees with overcoming the many challenges small business start-ups face, and he noted the emphasis they place on supporting the local community.

Pine Creek Seed Farm hosts one of the largest corn mazes in the state. Each October a local non-profit receives a large share of the event proceeds. The company also donated a silo rescue kit and provided a training area for local fire company members. 

McCracken is active in the agricultural community. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, past Vice President of the Clinton County Board of Advisors, and serves on the Clinton County Agricultural Preservation Board. 

The Pennsylvania SBDC Agriculture Center of Excellence serves agriculture industries across Pennsylvania. A joint initiative with Penn State, Clarion University and The University of Scranton, it helps agriculture businesses sustain operations and stabilize food supply chains affected by the pandemic. Leveraging host institution resources and partnerships, the Center supports agriculture industries through specialized educational programming and consulting services. Funding for the initiative was provided by the SBA and the CARES Act. 

The Penn State SBDC is a public/private partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and 15 universities and colleges helping businesses in Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, and Mifflin counties start, grow, and prosper.

SBA’s Eastern Pennsylvania Family-Owned Small Business of the Year is selected annually from nominees across the 40 counties of eastern Pennsylvania. The award, announced annually as part of Small Business Week, recognizes the small business community’s contribution to the American economy. Learn more at www.sba.gov/NSBW.