$200,000 loan will help LynOaken Farms update packing line
Press Release, Orleans Economic Development Agency
ALBION – The Orleans County Economic Development Agency secured $200,000 in GAIN (Growing the Agriculture Industry Now) loan proceeds for LynOaken Farms of Lyndonville through the agency’s Orleans Land Restoration Corporation.
LynOaken Farms will use the funds to update a packing line through the purchase of machinery and equipment, allowing the company to meet upcoming USDA, FDA and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) requirements, increasing efficiencies and adding new markets and product streams.
“We’re thrilled to be making this investment in local agriculture and for the assistance from the Orleans County Economic Development Agency,” said Wendy Oakes Wilson, general manager of LynOaken. “It will enable us to grow and expand our markets for years to come.”
The overall project includes the construction of a pole barn to house the new packing line and refrigerated finished storage, an internal build out of office administrative space and a pallet racking system at the Ridge Road location in Medina.
“The expansion of LynOaken is an outstanding example of an Orleans County farm business that has successfully grown, over the past 99 years, and diversified to actively compete in the marketplace,” said Jim Whipple, chief executive officer of the EDA. “Our agency was eager to support this newest expansion project through OLRC and the GAIN program.”
Apple growers in Orleans County since 1919, LynOaken Farms is a 250-plus acre diversified family farm operation that has consistently expanded to adapt and meet changes in the industry. They currently operate with 27 full-time, year around, employees supported by 50-60 seasonal employees; additional employment is projected over the next 3 years. The orchard operation began on Platten Road in Lyndonville and now includes a sales, u-pick, packing and storage operation on Ridge Road in Medina, New York.
