MEDINA, N.Y. (WKBW) — Western New York is no stranger to unpredictable weather events but when your livelihood depends on stability, the effects can be detrimental.
LynOaken Farms shared on Facebook that the family business is going through a major transition. They stated multiple detrimental weather events and the almost complete collapse of the U.S. apple market have put them in a tight spot.
That pinch has been felt across the state.
To help, Governor Hochul has signed into law a measure that allows small craft manufacturers of spirits, cider and mead to ship directly to consumers. Previously, these businesses could only sell their products in their own tasting rooms or ship them to licensed retailers through distributors.
However, even with this new legislation, LynOaken Family Farms said they are not sure it will be enough.
I headed out to Medina Wednesday evening to hear firsthand what this family farm is experiencing and spoke to two visitors who shared what the orchard farms mean to them.
Nicknamed "the Living Apple Museum," the Medina Apple Orchard will open its U-pick season starting Friday.
"Things are ripening quickly. We're running about 10 days earlier this year because we had such an early spring," LynOaken Farms and Leonard Oaks Estate Winery General Manager Wendy Oaks-Wilson said.
Regardless, Oaks-Wilson said you can expect a full amount of apples.
"This weekend, we'll have Gingergold. You might even be able to pick some Galas because everything is ripening. We'll have SweeTango in the bins. We'll have some Zestars, some Graventeins," Oaks-Wilson said. "We're just going to start the year with a bang."
There will be no cider donuts this opening weekend but they will have them starting the second week of the season.
Oaks-Wilson told me this season has come with its fair share of challenges.
"Two weeks ago, we did get hit with some minor hail," said Oaks-Wilson. "We hope we've picked most of it off so everything on the trees looks great and tastes even better."
Wednesday night was the farm's last concert of the lawn season. I caught up with Rick and Robin Boyle who are looking forward to picking from this community staple.
"I love their apples. They used to make cider and I love their cider. It's the only cider I would drink and their apples are the only apples I'd eat," Robin Boyle said.
"A lot of our family lives out of state so when they come to New York, that's what they look forward to is New York apples. Before, we used to send them cases of apples in the off-season just so they can enjoy them too because everyone loves LynOaken apples," Rick Boyle added.
Rain or shine, the orchard which is home to 350 different apples, will be available for picking.
"You never know what they're going to taste like. They might not look pretty. They might not have any apples on them because some apples grow every other year. It's just really learning about how apples are grown, what they taste like and how different it is than what you get in the grocery store," Oaks-Wilson said.
Once again, U-pick season opens August 30 and runs through November 3.
The full schedule of which apples will be available can be found below:
