NEW FREEDOM, Pa. (CBS) - The owner of the nation’s oldest seed house is taking to social media in an attempt to keep the business from going under.

Located in York County and pre-dating the Constitution, the Landreth Seed Company is danger of going out of business. Barbara Melera bought the business eight years ago borrowing from friends and family, but two outside investors put up large chunks of money and now want to be paid back. Melera has taken to Facebook in an effort to raise enough money to dig herself out of the hole.

“What we’ve seen is this momentum growing and growing and growing and so the concept is can we sell a million catalogues and get out from under this financial situation.”

She says the company is turning a profit, but the recession hit harder than expected. She’s hoping to persuade the outside investors to negotiate payment schedules and allow the company to keep operating. The company, which now sells 900 seed varieties, was founded in Philadelphia.

Reported by Brad Segall, KYW Newsradio