2025 Farmer Neighbor Event

Woodlawn Farm Named
2025 Livingston County Farm of the Year

Linwood, NY – [2/28/2025] – Livingston County Chamber of Commerce, along with Livingston County Farm Bureau and Cornell Cooperative Extension is pleased to announce Woodlawn Farms and the Morgan family as the 2025 Livingston County Farm of the Year.
 
This prestigious award recognizes the Morgan family’s exceptional contributions to agriculture, community involvement, and land stewardship. They will be honored at the annual Farmer Neighbor Dinner on Friday, April 4th, at the Genesee River Hotel and Reception Center.
 
Woodlawn Farms, a fourth-generation family farm located in York, has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to sustainable agriculture and innovation. Owned and operated by John and Kaye Morgan, and their son Matt, the farm has evolved from its origins as a dairy farm to a diverse operation producing high-quality beef and crops, including corn, wheat, soybeans, and specialty grains.
 
“The Morgan family exemplifies the spirit of Livingston County agriculture,” said Laura Lane, chamber president. “Their dedication to preserving farmland, adopting sustainable practices, and diversifying their operation and creating value add through Woodlawn Distilling makes them truly deserving of this honor.”
 
The award highlights several key achievements:

• Farmland Preservation: The Morgan family, in collaboration with the Genesee Valley Conservancy, recently protected over 530 acres of prime farmland, ensuring its availability for agricultural use in perpetuity. An additional 150 acres are in the process of being protected.
• Sustainable Practices: Woodlawn Farms utilizes advanced technologies and techniques, including GPS-guided precision planting and fertilization, minimal tillage, and cover cropping, to enhance soil health and reduce environmental impact.
• Innovative Agri-Business: The establishment of Woodlawn Distilling in 2021, led by the farm’s fourth generation, siblings, Matt and Jaclyn Morgan, has added significant value to the farm’s products, creating a direct-to-consumer market for their specialty spirits.
• Community Involvement: The farm’s long-standing presence and the distillery’s tasting room have become integral parts of the local community, contributing to the economic vitality of Livingston County.

 
The Farmer Neighbor Dinner, scheduled for Friday, April 4th, at the Genesee River Hotel and Reception Center, will provide an opportunity for the community to celebrate the Morgan family’s achievements and recognize the importance of agriculture in Livingston County. The Chamber encourages members of the community to join us for the dinner. This is a special event designed to not only celebrate and recognize the Farm of the Year, but also and opportunity for the farming and non-farming communities to come together and learn from each other.
 
Tickets for the event are available by calling The Chamber at 585-243-2222 or reserve online at www.livingstoncountychamber.com.
 
The Farmer Neighbor Event is sponsored by Farm Credit East, Tompkins Community Bank, Livingston County Farm Bureau, Genesee Valley Conservancy and Voyptka Farms.  Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact The Chamber for more information.

 
The Livingston County Area Chamber of Commerce is the largest business focused organization in the county providing a voice for businesses as they work to create a vibrant and sustainable business environment by fulfilling their mission of fostering business development and providing opportunities for their members to grow. To learn more, please contact the Chamber at (585) 243-2222 or visit online at www.livingstoncountychamber.com.