OUR STORY
THE FARM
This farm family's roots can be traced back to 1811, when Richard and Rhoda Wilder packed their things and traveled hundreds of miles from their farm in Vermont to start a new life in Churchville, New York, with their young son Alamander in tow. The Wilders farmed in Churchville until 1854 when Alamander and his wife Jerusha Goodell moved to Charlotte, New York. Alamander was both a successful farmer and a foremost citizen of Charlotte, even serving as the President of the Village of Charlotte after it was incorporated in 1869. Alamander and Jerusha’s youngest daughter, Fannie, one of nine Wilder children, married an aspiring farmer named Harry M. Pearson in 1878. The couple carried on the family farming tradition with their four sons, Harry W., Eugene, Morley, and Edward, under the name "H.M. Pearson & Sons."
Harry and Fannie operated the family farm in Charlotte until their sons took over the business and aptly named it “Pearson Brothers Farm.” Edward, the youngest brother, married in 1925. With his wife, Wilma, he expanded the farm to include property in the Town of Greece. Their son, Jack Wilder Pearson, operated the 300-acre farm on English Road in Greece (now Pearson Lane and Orchard Creek Lane) before eventually establishing what is now known as “Green Acre Farm” on Latta Road in 1964.
In 1972, Jack’s daughter Kathy joined the family business, and the family opened the farm to the public for the first time for pick-your-own apples. In 1983, Kathy married Craig Michaloski, and together they began expanding the varieties of fruits offered for pick-your-own. By 1985, the farm would expand again to include property on Manitou Road. Originally used for wholesale only, the Manitou Road farm opened to the public for pick-your-own strawberries in 2001 and was named Green Acres’ West Wind Farm.
Today, Kathy and Craig’s daughter Jill and her husband, Jeremy Wolf, operate the family farms and continue the legacy that began more than two centuries ago. In 2017, the couple expanded the farm once again, delving into the hard cider industry with the establishment of Blue Barn Cidery at the West Wind Farm.
THE PRESENT
The Tasting Room at Blue Barn Cidery held its Grand Opening on October 7, 2017. The Tasting Room features homegrown ciders, made from apples grown exclusively on Green Acre and West Wind fruit farms. In addition, Blue Barn features other local ciders, beers, wines, and liquors made from New York State-grown ingredients.
Blue Barn Cidery is a licensed Farm Winery and serves only products that are made with New York State-grown ingredients.
We believe in buying locally. We believe in supporting family farms. We believe in knowing where your food comes from. And we believe it's time the beverage industry adopted these values too.
In 2019, the company expanded with the opening of Pomona at Blue Barn - a beautiful, modern wedding venue set adjacent to the Cidery.
In 2021, Blue Barn hit a milestone achievement when it entered the distribution world. It released its first-ever canned products, Westcider and Jostaberry Jam in March, followed by the release of Blueberry Jam in July.
In 2022, the company started the year off strong after undergoing construction and renovations during the month of January. When Blue Barn re-opened it was operating a full kitchen with expanded hours. Blue Barn also continued to make a way in the distribution world expanding into the Buffalo market with a plan to release 4 new canned products by year's end.
Opening - 2017
5-Year Anniversary - 2022
Holiday Party 2021
Team Building 2022
THE FUTURE
We are always planning for the future and ways to better our Farm and business. A few things you can look forward to in the future from West Wind Farm and Blue Barn Cidery are:
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New varieties of pick your own apples
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Extended picking season for picking your own apricots
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Fresh-picked produce available for sale in the Blue Barn retail space
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Return of pick your own gooseberries, currants, and Fall raspberries
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Seasonal changes on our draft list and our food menu