Lynd Fruit Farm is expanding its footprint in Central Ohio, but don’t expect a new apple orchard to pop up on this property. The family-owned farm has purchased 74 acres in Utica with plans to protect the land from development and explore its potential for wetland and prairie restoration.
The property at 10503 North St. sold for $1.76 million in August, according to the Licking County Auditor. Lynd won the bid at a July auction hosted by Bauer Realty & Auctions, beating out at least a dozen other interested buyers.
In a Facebook post announcing the purchase, the farm shared that co-owner Alex first spotted the property this spring and saw an opportunity to restore its natural habitat. When the land went up for auction a few months later, he convinced his fellow co-owners to bid on it. Apparently, it didn’t take much convincing. According to the farm, the decision was unanimous.
“The goal is to not only protect the property from development but to restore it in a way that maximizes local biodiversity,” the farm wrote.
The family also hopes the property can become an educational resource and provide seeds and other materials to help restore habitats elsewhere. More details are expected this winter as restoration plans get underway.
It’s an interesting move in a part of Ohio where land is increasingly in demand.
Licking County has become a major hub for development, with data centers expanding around New Albany and Intel’s planned semiconductor manufacturing campus bringing even more attention to the region. That growth has also sparked plenty of debate about how to balance new development with the rural landscapes that have long defined the area.
The 74-acre property includes nearly 64 acres of farmland and two smaller five-acre parcels. One of those parcels contains a ranch-style home built in 1960.
Lynd Fruit Farm has been part of Central Ohio’s fall traditions since 1919. Its main farm on Morse Road in Pataskala operates three apple orchards and draws plenty of visitors each year for apple picking and other seasonal activities.
For now, the family is focused on getting this year’s apple harvest across the finish line. But once the season winds down, it will have a new project on its hands, one that could help give native plants, wildlife, and local habitats a little more room to thrive.
