CNY Apple Orchard Adapts and Conquers in Tough Economic Times

You make hay when the sun shines, lemonade when the world gives you lemons, and when the apple market struggles you make cannabis products. Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards in Lafayette has been learning and adapting with the times since 1911.

Over the course of 109 years, Beak and Skiff has done plenty of adapting. From the 40's and 50's era, when they found innovative ways to fight frost, cold, and weather conditions to increase apple production and preservation to the 70's when they opened a country store and began making cider. It didn't stop there, they added hard cider in 2001 and added distilling vodka and gin in 2010. In the most recent decade they've added a tasting room and tavern.

As we roll into the decade of 2020's, company owners are creating a new division, Beak and Skiff Research. The division will oversee a move into the world of cannabis and hemp products. The timing of the move during the current COVID-19 pandemic, is merely coincidental say company owners. Although they did convert the distillery production into hand sanitizers at the beginning of the coronavirus.

In a story first reported by Syracuse.com, Beak and Skiff will plant 20 or more acres of hemp in an attempt to create a line of oils and salves. The site will also house a processing plant for their use as well as other area hemp growers. Their biggest challenge may be navigating New York's confusing laws and unclear mandates as they add the product to their line. An experiment with a small plot last year led them to create beverages with CBD oil, but it was found to be illegal in the state. Hopes of getting a clearer picture on New York laws regarding hemp and it's by-products went on hold as the state dealt with the coronavirus.

Read more on the company's plans at Syracuse.com and view more on their 109 year history at Beak and Skiff.com