Lyman Orchards

Newsroom

Welcome to the Lyman Orchards' newsroom, a resource for the media, journalists and bloggers. With more than 275 years in the Middlefield community, we invite you to join us throughout the year with a series of festivals, fundraising events and great family fun at our orchard, Apple Barrel market, golf courses, homestead and more.

Our goal is to be responsive and assist you in any way possible. Please feel free to contact us if you need more information or if you would like to speak with a Lyman Orchards representative. Thank you for your interest in Lyman Orchards and we look forward to working with you!

Media Contact

Nina Peach
Lyman Orchards
860-349-6010
npeach@lymanorchards.com

Media Kit

The Lyman Orchards Story

In their wildest dreams, colonial farmer John Lyman and his wife, Hope, could not have envisioned the complex and diverse enterprise that would evolve from their purchase in 1741 of a 37-acre parcel of land in what is now Middlefield. Now covering more than 1,100 acres of scenic farmland, Lyman Orchards is one of the most popular family attractions in New England. Through a history spanning ten generations, the Lyman family heritage was founded upon a commitment to preserve their land for future generations, using a combination of determination, innovation, and adaptation – attributes that hold true today.

Now in its 275th year, Lyman Orchards continues to evolve while maintaining its steadfast commitment to preserving the land for future generations. Today, members of the 8th and 9th generations of the family are directly involved in the business. Like their ancestors before them, preservation of the land remains central to their heritage, and the family continues to be innovative in its ways of upholding their traditions.

Leadership

John Lyman

Executive Vice President

John is Executive Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of The Lyman Farm, Inc (known as Lyman Orchards). He is a member of the eighth generation of the Lyman family that has been farming in Middlefield since 1741. John’s primary responsibilities include overseeing orchard and commercial pie operations. He works closely with company President and CEO Gary Jalbert in strategic planning and product development. John is the face of Lyman Orchards with the media and public affairs. He has done just about every job at the Farm over the years except teach golf! Like his father, Jack Lyman, and his grandfather, John Sr., John grew up on the family farm, learning from the ground up the challenges and rewards of Connecticut farming and land stewardship. A 1979 graduate of Colby College, Waterville ME., John holds a BA in American Studies. After college and before joining the family business full time in 1980, John worked on an apple and pear orchard in Holland where he claims to have received his ‘formal’ education in fruit growing. John remains actively involved in Connecticut agriculture, and his industry involvement throughout the New England region has been extensive. He is currently a Director of the New England Apple Council, and a Trustee of Red Tomato. Past appointments include serving twelve years as a Director on Farm Credit East’s Board of Directors, President of the Connecticut Agricultural Businesses Cluster, Director and Vice Chairman of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station’s Board of Control, President of the Connecticut Pomological Society, Chairman and Director of the New England McIntosh Growers Assoc., and President and Director of the New York and New England Apple Institute. John resides in Middlefield with his wife Elaine. They have 3 grown children, Adam, Sarah and Laura.

“Throughout the 35+ years that I have been active in the family business, I have been guided by some basic principles. First, the ability to keep a family business going into the next generation is contingent on economic viability—adaptation to changing market conditions is essential. Second, our agricultural heritage is central to our makeup, now and in the future. Third, agriculture in the northeast can be successful and profitable, but it has to adapt to a constantly changing customer. And finally, our success is a result of strong teamwork. I also believe that the tradition that follows a family through eight generations is extremely powerful, quite tangible, and very relevant. Thus, a working knowledge of the family history is essential. The secret is to not let your tradition unreasonably burden you. Rather, let that tradition give you confidence and be your guide as you continually search for new and exciting opportunities.”

–John Lyman III

Fact Sheet

  • Established in 1741 when John & Hope Lyman purchased 37 acres in what is now Middlefield.
  • Recognized as the 12th oldest family-owned business in the United States.
  • Incorporated as The Lyman Farm, Inc. in 1949.
  • Members of the 8th and 9th generations are working for the company today.
  • Lyman’s Apples and Peaches are eco-certified, meaning that they are grown in ways that respect and preserve the ecology of our orchards and they are inspected and certified by the IPM Institute on North America.
  • The property consists of 1,100 acres.
    • The Golf Courses encompass 450 acres
    • The Pick Your Own Orchards utilize 350 acres
    • Apple Barrel market & Homestead complex utilize original 37 acres
  • The farm grows nearly 100 varieties of fruit from June-October.
    • 20 varieties of Apples
    • 50 varieties of Peaches/Nectarines
    • 8 varieties of Pears/Asian Pears
    • Strawberries
    • Blueberries
    • Raspberries
    • Honeyberries
    • Jostaberries
    • Squash
    • Squash Flowers
    • Pumpkins
  • Today, Lyman Orchards boasts 45 holes of golf, the Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Course built in 1969, The Gary Player Signature Course opened in 1995 and The Golf Center and Apple Nine course opened in 2012.
  • The Lyman Homestead was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1986.
  • Lyman Orchards was recognized by the Connecticut Freedom Trail in 2013.
  • Lyman’s hand-made pies were voted “Best in Connecticut” by Connecticut Magazine in 2021.
  • The Apple Nine course was rated as the top Par 3 course in Connecticut and 10th overall in New England by New England Golf Monthly magazine in 2015.
  • Lyman Orchards' Sunflower Maze is Connecticut's only Sunflower Maze.

press releases

The Salvation Army to Kickoff National Donut Day At Lyman Orchards

Connecticut – On Friday, June 2nd , The Salvation Army will be kicking off Donut Day at Lyman Orchards, located at 32 Reeds Gap Road in Middlefield, at 9:00 a.m. […]

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Lyman Orchards Donates $34,807 to American Cancer Society

Middlefield, CT – Lyman Orchards, a popular family-owned New England destination for over 280 years, is pleased to share a recent $34,807 donation made to the American Cancer Society using […]

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Lyman Orchards Donates $17,402 to Connecticut Cancer Foundation

Middlefield, CT – Lyman Orchards, a popular family-owned New England destination for over 280 years, is thrilled to share a recent $17,402 donation made to the Connecticut Cancer Foundation using […]

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Lyman Orchards Donates $8,135 to Middlesex Health Comprehensive Breast Center

Middlefield, CT — Lyman Orchards Golf is pleased to announce a recent $8,135 donation to Middlesex Health Comprehensive Breast Center for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Last October, […]

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Lyman Orchards Donates $15K to Connecticut Children’s Foundation

Middlefield, CT — Lyman Orchards, a popular family-owned New England destination for over 280 years is pleased to announce a recent $15,573 donation to Connecticut Children’s using proceeds from its […]

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Lyman Orchards Hosts Dazzling L.I.F.F.E. Lantern Festival

Middlefield, CT — —Lyman Orchards, a family-owned popular destination for over 280 years, is again hosting the Dazzling L.I.F.F.E. Lantern Festival, a holiday attraction that features more than 400 illuminated […]

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Lyman Orchards is a pet-free property. Please leave your pets at home. Service Animals Welcome.

The Apple Barrel

OPEN YEAR ROUND
Monday-Sunday: 9:00AM-6:00PM

Apple Barrel Deli
Open Daily: 9:00AM-4:00PM

32 Reeds Gap Rd
Middlefield, CT 06455
Phone: 860-349-6000

more info

Lyman Golf

OPEN YEAR ROUND

Monday-Sunday:
Sunrise-Sunset

700 Main Street
Middlefield, CT 06455
Phone: 860-349-6031

more info

1741 Pub & Grill

OPEN DAILY
Mon-Fri: 11:00AM - 9:00PM
Sat & Sun: 10:00AM - 9:00PM

70 Lyman Road
Middlefield, CT 06455
Phone: 860-349-6033

more info

Pick your own

OPEN DAILY

9:00AM - 4:30PM

105 South Street
Middlefield, CT 06455
Phone: 860-349-6015

more info
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