Hurd Orchards gets state recognition for long history in Holley

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Assemblyman Steve Hawley presents a proclamation to Amy Machamer during a luncheon Friday celebrating Hurd Orchards inclusion on the State Historic Business Preservation Registry. County Legislator Ed Morgan is at right.

HOLLEY – Hurd Orchards, a seventh-generation family farm going back more than 200 years, was presented with a proclamation by Assemblyman Steve Hawley on Friday during a luncheon celebrating Hurd’s inclusion in the State Historic Business Preservation Registry.

Amy Machamer, who owns Hurd Orchards with her mother Susan Hurd Machamer, said they had already planned a special luncheon featuring rhubarb when they learned of their historic designation.

Holley mayor Mark Bower added his congratulations to Amy Machamer on being included in the State Historic Preservation Registry, after presenting her with a proclamation from the village.

“Our guests will be surprised to learn about our honor,” Machamer said.

The State Historic Business Preservation Registry recognizes business that are at least 50 years old, according to Hawley.

Hurd Orchards was established by Luther Hurd in 1825 and has evolved into a thriving fruit-growing enterprise. It is now in its eighth generation.

“From a pioneer farm, they have changed and thrived with the times, yet kept their historical significance and maintained conservation practices,” Hawley said. “It is extraordinary in this day and age for an agricultural business to last this long.”

Hawley presented Amy with a proclamation from the New York State Assembly, while Ed Morgan presented one from the Orleans County Legislature and another came from Holley mayor Mark Bower.

Amy, who has been in business with her mother since 1985, is the seventh-generation Hurd to run the farm, and when her daughter joins the operation, she will become the eighth-generation.

“I love all that goes into it,” Amy said.

She was not only honored by Hawley’s bestowing such an honor (which she called cool) on the farm, but praised him for supporting farms. She cited this spring when they needed water desperately, which they get from the canal, and was told it would be six weeks before the canal was filled. She contacted Hawley and their state senator, and within 24 hours, there was water in the canal.

Luncheons, such as Friday’s, have become a tradition in the family’s 200-year-old barn. Each one focuses on a different theme found on the farm, from Friday’s rhubarb to chives on June 3. Peonies, strawberries and roses will be featured in upcoming June luncheons.

Amy welcomed a full room of guests to Friday’s lunch, first sharing a little history of the family farm, then explaining about rhubarb. The menu included rhubarb/raspberry jam cookies rolled in paprika, rhubarb muffins, herb bread hot out of the oven, ham with a rhubarb sauce and for dessert, rhubarb pie (also known as pie plant), brown sugar rhubarb cookies and rhubarb custard cake.

“We are contributing in a very special way to the heritage of Western New York,” Amy said.

Hurd Orchards is the fourth Holley area business to be included on the Historic Business Preservation Registry, following Kirby’s Farm Market (just across the Orleans/Monroe County line), who was recognized last year, and Stockham Lumber and Holley Cold Storage, both in Holley, which were announced a week ago.

Honored businesses were identified after Orleans County historian Catherine Cooper compiled a list for Hawley, showing companies in business more than 50 years.

Prior to receiving a proclamation from Assemblyman Stave Hawley, Amy Machamer described the benefits of rhubarb to guests gathered for lunch Friday at Hurd Orchards.