2 neighbors in Gaines honored as century farms
File photos by Tom Rivers – The LaMont family celebrated 200 years of farming in Gaines during a party on Aug. 15. The family was recognized on Thursday as a “Century Farm” by the New York State Agricultural Society.
GAINES – Two farms that have been neighbors for more than a century were honored by the New York State Agricultural Society during its annual meeting in Syracuse on Thursday.
The LaMont and Kast families were both recognized as “Century Farms.” The LaMonts have actually been farming for two centuries. Josias LaMont started the family farm in 1815, when he bought 140 acres at Lattin Road and West Transit Church Road.
Roger and George LaMont are the sixth generation of the family to farm. The brothers have both been industry leaders in the apple business.
The Kast family dates back to 130 years of farming in Gaines. The farm today is owned by David and Kathy Kast, and their sons John and Brett. They attended the celebration on Thursday in Syracuse with David’s father, Stanley, 98.
Kast Farms is diversified with fruit, vegetables and grain.
David said the two families, Kast and LaMont, have been long-time friends and neighbors on Densmore Road.
“It was nice to see the neighbors received awards,” Kast said this afternoon.
The NY Ag Society is expected to send photos from the event.
A 140-foot-high wind turbine for Kast Farms on Densmore Road stands tall as the sun sets last July.
