Kreher Family Farms receives 2025 Century Farm Award at NYS Agricultural Society

New York State Agricultural Society recently recognized Kreher Family Farms with the 2025 Century Farm Award.

Kreher Family Farms, which has locations in the Town of Newstead and other places in New York State, began with the purchase of an 18-acre plot in Amherst, NY in May 1924 by Henry J. Kreher and his wife, Wilhelmina.

One-hundred years later, this diversified, Erie County based family operation, has grown to include over 5,000 acres of farmland, three thriving egg farms, a rapidly growing compost and fertilizer business, and a floral and vegetable enterprise.

“We know my great grandfather’s dream of becoming a farmer could never capture what we’ve grown into today!” said Jeannette Kreher Heberling. “He was proud of his two sons joining him in his passion. He couldn’t have foreseen that seven brothers and cousins would encompass the third generation. And now 100 years later, we have four generations represented with five great-grandchildren!”

The farm was passed down to Henry and Wilhelmina’s sons, Henry (wife Lois) and Don (wife Marge) Kreher in 1957. In 1962, the first chicken house — Townline Barn — was constructed, named after the road between two towns. The barn increased their hen count to 45,000. In 1964, they built a second barn —Townline 2 — and added cages, increasing their bird population to 70,000. In the late 60s and early 70s expansion continued by “contracting” with other formally independent egg producers to care for Kreher chickens without investing in new facilities. Feed was produced at the Kreher feed mill, delivered to each farm, and a load of “nest run” eggs would be backhauled for washing, candling, and grading at their Main Steet packing room.

Grandsons, Donald Kreher Jr. and Kurt Kreher became partners in the business in 1978, followed by their cousins Scott and Neal Kreher, and Dave Root in 1986. Six years later, more members of the third generation came on board — Hal and Brett Kreher. Beginning in 2015, members of the fourth generation became partners in the business including Jeannette Kreher Heberling, Michael Kreher, Natalie Kreher Held, and Brian Kreher. Nathan Kreher joined the owner leadership in 2023.

With each generation, the farm has continued to expand. They became one of the first Eggland’s Best franchise owners, which is a network of USDA-inspected farms providing a patented, nutritionally enhanced diet for egg production. Wegmans’ egg farm in Wayne County was purchased in 2007, doubling egg production and their crop acreage.

Responding to requests from Wegmans for cage free and organic eggs, Krehers built Sunrise Farm in Genesee County in 2009. Presently, Krehers is a mid-size commercial egg laying farm with 2.3 million hens and ranked in the top 35 of U.S. producers.

From 1989 through 1997, Krehers became a Snapple distributor to optimize hauling costs and to support smaller storefronts. In 2021, they partnered with WD Henry, a fifth-generation farm based in Eden, NY, to grow flowers and vegetables for wholesale markets.

Today, Kreher Family Farms is one of the largest organic crop farms in NY with over 2,000 acres in production.

The Kreher family is very active in their community. Family members serve and have served on multiple boards including Farm Bureau, Farm Credit East, American Egg Board, and United Egg Producers. Off the farm, family members have received numerous awards for their work by Meals on Wheels, church, Toastmasters, and more.  They support local businesses and are involved in local service organizations including Rotary, the Historical Society, and others.

NYS Agricultural Society congratulates Kreher Family Farms on reaching the 100-year milestone —” an amazing achievement!” As Jeannette says, “Together we are Kreher Family Farms! We grow for tomorrow!”