Lynd Fruit Farm Buys 74 Acres in Utica for $1.76 Million
The Pataskala grower plans wetland and prairie restoration across three parcels amid Licking County industrial development.
Lynd Fruit Farm has purchased 74 acres across three parcels in Utica for $1.76 million, moving to shield the rural land from commercial development and explore ecological restoration, according to public records and local reports.
The acquisition at 10503 North St. resolved an auction conducted on July 15, 2026, by Bauer Realty & Auctions, where Lynd Fruit Farm emerged as the winning bidder at $1.6 million among 13 competing entities, according to bidding records. Bidding had narrowed to a contest between Lynd and an anonymous competitor who sought only two parcels while leaving the remaining tract behind, before Lynd secured the entire property. The purchase price finalized at $1.76 million when the deed transfer officially closed on Aug. 26, 2026, according to the Licking County Auditor. While regional broadcast coverage by 10TV characterized the transaction in rounded terms as a $1.8 million deal, official auditor filings substantiate the $1.76 million total.
The 74-acre site is divided into three distinct tracts: a 63.9-acre tract of farmland and two 5-acre lots, according to auction listings and property records. One 5-acre lot was marketed as suitable for residential use, while the other contains the only structure on the land, a small ranch home constructed in 1960.
In an announcement posted Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, on Facebook, Lynd Fruit Farm clarified that it has not finalized commercial plans or an orchard expansion for the Utica site, pointing instead to high potential for wetland and prairie conservation, according to farm representatives. "The goal is to not only protect the property from development but to restore it in a way that maximizes local biodiversity," the business wrote, adding that the acreage carries educational value and can provide native seed stock to combat habitat loss, as reported by NBC4.
The purchase offers a sharp contrast to the aggressive industrial growth transforming Licking County. Following Intel's 2022 announcement of a $28 billion semiconductor manufacturing campus and the influx of data center campuses expanding from New Albany, parts of the region have been branded the "Silicon Heartland," sparking ongoing friction between large-scale commercial development and historic rural character, NBC4 reported. Founded in 1919, Lynd Fruit Farm operates three apple orchards at its primary Morse Road farm in Pataskala.
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Lynd Fruit Farm has purchased 74 acres across three parcels in Utica for $1.76 million, moving to shield the rural land from commercial development and explore ecological restoration, according to public records and local reports.
The acquisition at 10503 North St. resolved an auction conducted on July 15, 2026, by Bauer Realty & Auctions, where Lynd Fruit Farm emerged as the winning bidder at $1.6 million among 13 competing entities, according to bidding records. Bidding had narrowed to a contest between Lynd and an anonymous competitor who sought only two parcels while leaving the remaining tract behind, before Lynd secured the entire property. The purchase price finalized at $1.76 million when the deed transfer officially closed on Aug. 26, 2026, according to the Licking County Auditor. While regional broadcast coverage by 10TV characterized the transaction in rounded terms as a $1.8 million deal, official auditor filings substantiate the $1.76 million total.
The 74-acre site is divided into three distinct tracts: a 63.9-acre tract of farmland and two 5-acre lots, according to auction listings and property records. One 5-acre lot was marketed as suitable for residential use, while the other contains the only structure on the land, a small ranch home constructed in 1960.
In an announcement posted Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, on Facebook, Lynd Fruit Farm clarified that it has not finalized commercial plans or an orchard expansion for the Utica site, pointing instead to high potential for wetland and prairie conservation, according to farm representatives. "The goal is to not only protect the property from development but to restore it in a way that maximizes local biodiversity," the business wrote, adding that the acreage carries educational value and can provide native seed stock to combat habitat loss, as reported by NBC4.
The purchase offers a sharp contrast to the aggressive industrial growth transforming Licking County. Following Intel's 2022 announcement of a $28 billion semiconductor manufacturing campus and the influx of data center campuses expanding from New Albany, parts of the region have been branded the "Silicon Heartland," sparking ongoing friction between large-scale commercial development and historic rural character, NBC4 reported. Founded in 1919, Lynd Fruit Farm operates three apple orchards at its primary Morse Road farm in Pataskala.
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Lynd Fruit Farm purchases 74-acre site in Licking County
Supporting evidence (2)
Lynd Fruit Farm has purchased 74 acres across three parcels in Utica for $1.76 million, moving to shield the rural land from commercial development and explore ecological restoration, according to public records and local reports.
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Lynd Fruit Farm, a central Ohio family-owned apple orchard, has purchased a 74-acre site in Licking County.
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https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/lynd-fruit-farm-purchases-74-153000361.html
Supporting evidence (9)
The acquisition at 10503 North St. resolved an auction conducted on July 15, 2026, by Bauer Realty & Auctions, where Lynd Fruit Farm emerged as the winning bidder at $1.6 million among 13 competing entities, according to bidding records.
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According to bidding records, at least 13 entities bid on the project, with Lynd Fruit Farm winning the bid at $1.6 million. Property records show the final sale, for $1.76 million, completed on Aug. 26.
Bidding had narrowed to a contest between Lynd and an anonymous competitor who sought only two parcels while leaving the remaining tract behind, before Lynd secured the entire property.
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The sale went back and forth between Lynd's and another bidder, who only wanted to buy two of the parcels, leaving behind 5 acres with the only building on the property.
The purchase price finalized at $1.76 million when the deed transfer officially closed on Aug. 26, 2026, according to the Licking County Auditor.
Read supporting passage
The business bought the property at 10503 North St. in Utica for $1.76 million in August, according to the Licking County Auditor. The purchase followed a July auction by Bauer Realty & Auctions, where Lynd Fruit Farm was the highest bidder.
The 74-acre site is divided into three distinct tracts: a 63.9-acre tract of farmland and two 5-acre lots, according to auction listings and property records.
Read supporting passage
The property is divided into three parcels: a 63.9-acre stretch of farmland and two 5-acre sites, one with the only building on the property – a small ranch home built in 1960 – and another described as ideal for residential use by Bauer Realty & Auctions.
In an announcement posted Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, on Facebook, Lynd Fruit Farm clarified that it has not finalized commercial plans or an orchard expansion for the Utica site, pointing instead to high potential for wetland and prairie conservation, according to farm representatives.
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The family farm announced the purchase in a Facebook post on Friday. It did not confirm any specific plans for the site but said it has high potential for wetland and prairie restoration.
"The goal is to not only protect the property from development but to restore it in a way that maximizes local biodiversity," the business wrote, adding that the acreage carries educational value and can provide native seed stock to combat habitat loss, as reported by NBC4.
Read supporting passage
"The goal is to not only protect the property from development but to restore it in a way that maximizes local biodiversity," the business wrote. "It will be a site that has high education potential and can supply others with the resources and seed needed to help fight habitat destruction."
Following Intel's 2022 announcement of a $28 billion semiconductor manufacturing campus and the influx of data center campuses expanding from New Albany, parts of the region have been branded the "Silicon Heartland," sparking ongoing friction between large-scale commercial development and historic rural character, NBC4 reported.
Read supporting passage
Acreage in Licking County has become enticing in recent years for development. With dozens of data centers in New Albany and after Intel announced a $28 billion chip manufacturing project in Licking County in 2022, the area has been dubbed a "Silicon Heartland." The desire for big tech development like data centers has often clashed with the county's rural character, and commenters celebrated Lynd getting the bid over a hypothetical developer.
Founded in 1919, Lynd Fruit Farm operates three apple orchards at its primary Morse Road farm in Pataskala.
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Lynd Fruit Farm, founded in 1919, operates three apple orchards at its main farm on Morse Road in Pataskala.
Retained video evidence
Lynd Fruit Farm buys 74 acres in Licking County
Supporting evidence (2)
While regional broadcast coverage by 10TV characterized the transaction in rounded terms as a $1.8 million deal, official auditor filings substantiate the $1.76 million total.
Read supporting passage
The farm bought 74 acres of land for $1.8 million dollars in Utica.
Retained video evidence