Bizarre Cow Accident Leads to Sale of Glasbern Inn Farmland

Written By Tom De Martini

A recent federal court verdict of more than $4 million against the Glasbern Inn is forcing owner Al Granger to scale back farm operations and sell much of his 130 acres in Upper Macungie Township.

Granger broke the news to patrons Tuesday on the Glasbern Inn's Facebook page.  

Granger, 78, and a retired U.S. Marine, said he plans to sell 100 acres. Granger is getting the land appraised this week and has not yet set an asking price.

"We're not taking donations," Granger said. "The business is profitable. But you can't borrow money off of vacant land."

The Glasbern Inn, a bed-and-breakfast located on Packhouse Road in Fogelsville, features a restaurant, hotel and pasture-raised animals including cattle and lambs. The animals on the working farm were used for restaurant meals. 

Granger said that on June 13, 2010, a Glasbern worker was hit by a 1,200-pound cow and paralyzed, prompting lawsuits.

Granger confirmed that the Zenith Insurance Company was awarded damages against Glasbern Inc. and himself by a Philadelphia-based federal court. Those damages may exceed $4 million. 

"The verdict was based upon the assertion by the insurance company that it didn’t know that a farm was associated with the inn – this despite the very public contents of our web page, and the PA Compensation Rating Bureau classification that the farm was an incidental operation of the inn. As a result, it will be necessary to raise $2.4 million to post a bond for the appeal of the judgment," the Facebook page reads. Granger confirmed the accuracy of the posting.

Glasbern is offering its farm animals for sale and plans to procure meats from local farmers who use sustainable practices. They will continue to grow vegetables and raise free-range chickens that provide eggs.

Here's a sampling of comments from Glasbern Inn's Facebook page:

Brenda Isamoyer said: "My family farmed that land while the Kerschner family still owned it, up until the time that Glasbern Inn bought it. I'm really sorry to see more of that land go to development. I understand the situation, but it's still sad to see more land lost and to see this happen to your Inn."

Nicki Reimert said: This is such sad, sad news. We live right behind the Glasbern and one of our absolute favorite things about living here is watching the cattle and the sheep. You will continue to have our full support. I'm wishing you the best and hoping for goodness to prevail through all of this.

William B. Good said: The Inn's property is so nice & it would really (stink) to look out the window & see a housing development! Good luck with all you do. We still love it there!

Chuck Thomas said: Have you approached the Township to see if they can purchase as farmland preservation and then lease it back to you to farm for $1?