By Michael Aaron Gallagher

Candy Morse of Beak & Skiff Apple Farms

With 100 years of tradition behind them, the folks at Beak & Skiff Apple Farms, Inc., have become an established part of the harvest season in Central New York.

After five generations as a family owned and operated farm, they have expanded their facilities in LaFayette and introduced a variety of new products including apple wine and vodka.

“It’s a beautiful piece of Central New York,” said co-owner Candy Morse, who heads up the retail operations for the company. “It’s a beautiful location. Anybody who’s been here – they know the view is lovely.”

Morse, who grew up on Syracuse’s south side and attended Onondaga Valley Academy, majored in English literature at St. Lawrence University as she considered a career in teaching. When her father offered her the opportunity to return to CNY and work on the family farm, she decided to leave her position at a large corporation and begin working part-time. The flexibility allowed her to spend more time raising her girls.

Over the years, she worked her way up to full-time and eventually took over the responsibilities of their three retail venues (they currently operate a distillery, a winery and a country store).

“My favorite part of the job is getting to know the people who have made Beak & Skiff a tradition,” Morse said. “We have people that came here as children that now are bringing their children, grandparents that came with their kids that are bringing their grandkids. And hearing them walk in the door and say, ‘I love this place.’ That’s my favorite part.”

You can find Beak & Skiff apples in local Wegmans and Tops grocery stores. Overseas their apples are distributed in the United Kingdom.