LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Ontario
Orchards in Oswego, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
achievements of those individuals and businesses which substantially
contribute to the economic vitality of their communities and the entire
Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 50th Anniversary of Ontario Orchards in Oswego, New York; and
WHEREAS, For five decades, the Ouellette Family has owned and operated
one of the most diverse enterprises in Central New York; and
WHEREAS, Back in 1952, when Dennis Ouellette was six years old, his
parents, Dennis T. Ouellette and Estelle had a chicken and pig operation
along with acres and acres of fruit trees in Sterling, New York, which
took in the cool moist breezes from nearby Lake Ontario; and
WHEREAS, As a young boy, Dennis Ouellette remembers selling apples and
strawberries on a roadside stand at State Routes 104 and 104A; and
WHEREAS, Realizing retail sales were more profitable than wholesaling
and processing, the Ouellette family set up retail operations in Fulton,
Watertown, Ogdensburg and across the road from the current store on
Route 104; they then expanded into the Regional Market in Syracuse, and
later, the farm extended its sales to Long Island, during the fall and
Christmas seasons; and
WHEREAS, Dennis Ouellette met June Shattell at Hannibal High School,
50 years ago, and they were married in 1965; this was the beginning of
their long-lasting marriage and business together; and
WHEREAS, From its inception, Dennis and June Ouellette offered more
than just apples; they also produced other fruits and vegetables, as
well as Christmas trees; and
WHEREAS, While running the business with her husband, and raising
their two daughters, June Ouellette earned her Bachelor's degree in
Science from the State University of New York at Oswego; and
WHEREAS, In 1965, the old two story horse barn was converted into the
present day store; Ontario Orchards not only sold its own fruit, vegeta-
bles and trees, but also brought produce from other local farmers; and
WHEREAS, Two farm workers, David and George, came to work on the farm
on weekends and suggested to June Ouellette that she use the apple drops
for apple pies; this is when she began making apple pies in her own
kitchen, and delivering them to Ontario Orchards; subsequently, the
Bakery was born; and
WHEREAS, Along with the Bakery, there was an expansion of the farm,
farm market, cider mill and nursery, which was a direct result from an
increase of customers; and
WHEREAS, Dennis and June Ouellette credit many of the new ideas at
Ontario Orchards to their two daughters, Kathy and Laurie and their
employees; what was the horse barn has become one of North America's
most complete, family-owned farms and farm market in the country; and
WHEREAS, On their farm in Sterling, New York, the Ouellette's grow
sweet corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, squash, pumpkins, gourds and
June's raspberries on 30 acres of land; in addition, they have 30 acres
of Christmas trees, and 90 acres of apples; and
WHEREAS, This vital business has added a Fall Jamboree, U-Pick apples
and pumpkin operations; this not only helped with profits, but brought
people out to the Farm so they could see the whole operation and learn
about where the food comes from; they have also encouraged Agri-Tourism
and school trips to help educate people in the community; and

WHEREAS, While most farm markets are open only in the summer and fall
when their crops are harvested, Ontario Orchards is open every day
except for Christmas; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, Ontario Orchards also specializes in showcasing
products made and grown in New York, which they ship year round, such as
Canales sauces, Rudy's, Honey, Maple Syrup, Hinerwadel salt potatoes,
Dinosaur Barbeque sauces, Bucks seasonings, Hofmann hotdogs and coneys,
Grandma Brown's baked beans, and Crogan Bologna, as well as New York
cheeses; and
WHEREAS, In the future, the Ouellettes plan on improving the facili-
ties, work on upgrading and promoting New York State Products on their
website, and growing the ever popular Fall Jamboree at their farm in
Sterling; and
WHEREAS, Today, Dennis and June Ouellette's grandchildren, Taylor and
Nichole, are now involved in Ontario Orchards, truly making it a multi-
generational business; and
WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowl-
edges this exceptional business and its contributions to the local and
State economies, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy the
sparkling successes it has experienced thus far; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Ontario Orchards in Oswego, New
York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Ouellette Family.