Part 5 of Spectrum News 1's series "The Year in Farming"
Pataskala, Ohio — In the center of the state, 600 acres of produce is ripe and ready to be picked. Not by farmers, but by families.
- Lynd Fruit Farm in Pataskala, is celebrating 100 years of production
- Their business model isn’t like most farms. Instead, they pair their produce with an experience
- Traditional farmers are taking notice
“We primarily grow apples, peaches, pumpkins and sweet corn. But apples is our primary crop. Peaches would be the second,” said Andy Lynd, co-owner, Lynd Fruit Farm.
For Andy Lynd— he’s watched the family farm develop first-hand.
“My father, 45 years ago, invited friends of ours from Columbus out to the farm in the fall, and at the time we did not have pick your own, but he took the Smith family and their two daughters out, and they enjoyed picking apples so much as a family, that my dad thought, hey, this might be a good idea to let families come out and pick their own apples,” said Lynd.
Now his generation is at the reins of the business.
“I tell people it’s an amazing way to make a living, because our customer base is primarily comprised of families. The parents or the grandparents were brought here by their parents or grandparents and it’s, I would say. three generations strong of family traditions being developed, coming to our orchard and picking apples, pumpkins, as you know berries, just other crops that we grow,” said Lynd.
That loyalty has traditional farmers taking notice.
“It’s not unique to agriculture, but we are seeing people really take a look at how can I provide something that those kids can look back on, remember, and then bring their kids back to our operation to do,” said Ben Brown, assistant professor of agriculture, OSU.
Ohio State Assistant Professor of Agriculture Ben Brown says sunflowers are the next big crop in agrotourism.
“Going out and taking an Instagram photo with those beautiful sunflower fields in the background, that’s an experience that this is the capitalistic market of we’re able to put a price on something that generates income for a family,” said Brown.
The Lynd Fruit Farm is already on top of that trend, and the memories are priceless.
“It’s very satisfying to know we’ve provided that for other people,” said Lynd.
As they celebrate one century, the key, he says, is dedication and commitment to the craft.
“And the fact that we’ve been able to do that for four generations, and we’re working on the fifth, is an accomplishment we’re very proud of as a family,” said Lynd.