New York Orchard & Cider Company Expanding Into CBD, Cannabis

A century-old apple orchard in upstate New York is taking on a new business, one you might not expect. And it could be much more lucrative than the farm's many other enterprises.

Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards in LaFayette, NY, has a couple of Airbnbs on property for weekend getaways, a distillery, where all those apples are transformed into spirits, including vodka, gin and hard cider, and plenty of areas to taste test all of them.

The orchard has been in the Beak and Skiff family since 1911. But now President Eddie Brennan is taking a bite out of a very different business: Cannabis. "For us, diversifying outside of apples was really important,” he says. “And we felt like we could implement vertical integration similar to what we've done with the apple business."

The farm can only grow one acre of cannabis under the current law, but that’s expected to change when New York state revises its restrictions. Right now, only CBD products manufactured from the cannabis are legal. Beek & Skiff is making oils, balms, even CBD flavored seltzer water.

CBD is big business and it’s only growing higher. Vantage Market Research estimates market growth will increase from nearly $5 billion last year to $47 billion by 2028.

Not everyone in the community supports Brennan’s new venture, and he’s been hearing about it. “Anything from, ‘Oh you’re a drug dealer,’ to ‘Why would you do this? I’m not going to come to Beak & Skiff anymore,’” he says. “And for us it’s all about coming back with a positive response.” Brennan tells customers small doses of cannabis have helped him minimize anxiety and improve sleep.

Brennan hopes marijuana will eventually boost the appeal of a visit to Beak & Skiff, just like alcohol.

Marijuana for recreational use has been legalized in 19 states and Washington DC. It’s also on midterm ballots in five states.