Enterprise Program seeds Sodus market

Strengthening existing farm operations, encouraging new agricultural enterprises, and helping families transition farm businesses to the next generation are the main goals of the Wayne County Agribusiness Micro-Enterprise Program.

The program provides business planning assistance and loans to qualified agribusinesses. The latest success story seeded by the Wayne County Agribusiness Micro-Enterprise Program is the Lagoner family's new farm market project in Williamson.

This farm market project strengthens a farming operation that has been in place since Mark Lagoner's great grandfather bought 50 acres for a family subsistence farm in 1909. Over the years fruit has become the focus of the operation, and produce has been supplied to several fresh packers and fruit processors, including Sun Orchards packers and the Cadbury-Schwepp's processing plant just a half-mile away from the farm.

Mark and wife Diana gradually bought adjacent land and purchased the home farm in 1987. About 80 percent of their 150 acres is planted as apple orchards. They also grow Bartlett and Bosc pears, sour and sweet cherries, peaches, nectarines, strawberries, and prunes.

'We had thought about adding a farm market to the operation for a long time, but felt we did not have the personnel to run one. Now that our children are interested in working on the farm, the decision to expand was easier to make with thoughts of possibly one day transitioning the farm to the next generation,' Mark explains.

The program helped them look at a multitude of considerations, most importantly financing, and the business planning assistance from the FarmNet advisors gave a perspective without emotion.

'The business planning process of the Micro-Enterprise Program helps farm owners identify their goals, strengths, and opportunities,' says County Ag Development Specialist Ora Rothfuss. 'Opening a retail market is a natural expansion of the Lagoner's farm, which has adapted its operation over the past 94 years to meet family and consumer needs.'

The Lagoners are currently constructing a 54 x 72 farm market at their 6895 Lake Avenue (Route 21) farm. A loan from the Micro-Enterprise Program will help purchase equipment and inventory. The Lagoners will sell the apples and other fruits they grow with additional produce purchased from neighboring farms.

A special craft area will offer visitors the opportunity to observe a working pottery wheel and to reserve space for crafts classes. Handicapped-accessible restrooms will be installed in preparation to welcome tours as part of the Lagoner's long-range business plan.

Growing the Family Farm Combined, Mark and Diana, their son Jacob, daughter Valerie, and son-in-law Jeremy Dysinger have degrees in business, accounting, communications, and fine arts. The family's horticulture knowledge has passed down from three previous generations.

With their children returning to the farm, there are three generations of Lagoners working together again.

'We envision a fun and attractive place where visitors can learn about farming, enjoy crafts, and buy fresh fruits and value-added products,' says Diana, who will use her artistic skills to create attractive product displays and signage. 'We'd like to eventually tie in our activities with regional events that draw people to the lakeshore and we're looking forward to offering field-to-table educational tours.'

Tourism Motorcoach Tour Coordinator Joan Delaro says, 'Lagoner's Farm Market is located right in the middle of the Locks to Lake travel corridor, heading north to Lake Ontario and the Seaway Trail. The market will be conveniently located to add to Wayne County's rural countryside tourism experience and to our wonderful variety of farm markets, each offering a unique farm adventure.'

The Wayne County Agribusiness Micro-Enterprise Program is made possible in part by a grant from the New York State Governor's Office for Small Cities Community Development Block Grants Program.

The Lagoner Farm now consists of 150 acres, 80% growing apples. It began with purchase of 50 acres by Anthony Lagoner in 1909. Fruits currently grown on the Lagoner Farm include apples, cherries (sweet and sour), Bartlett and Bosc pears, peaches, nectarines, strawberries, prunes.

A self-serve roadside stand selling cherries and strawberries has been on the Lagoner Farm for the past 10 years.

A Wayne County Agribusiness Micro-Enterprise Program loan will help purchase equipment and inventory for the Lagoner's farm market.

A feature of the Lagoner's Farm Market will be crafts corner, where people can make reservations to try a pottery wheel and other craft media.

Call Lagoners, 589.9534, or e-mail mlagoner@rochester.rr.com

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