Awarded September 2013
The Wayne County Schools Career Center is proud to honor Cedar Lane Farms of Wooster as an Outstanding Business Partner. The business was nominated by Landscape & Plant Technologies instructor Gregg Gillepie.
Accepting the award was owner Tom Machamer. The business, located on Back Orrville Road east of Wooster, has been in operation since 1895, owned by the Yoder brothers of Barberton for “80-90 years,” said Tom. He bought the business, which has 300,000 square feet of production, from Richard Besancon in 1986.
At peak season, Cedar Lane has about 50 employees, growing wholesale annuals and perennials for Ohio floral shops and businesses. Cedar Lane produces many of the annuals and perennials for Lowe’s and Home Depot stores, but the poinsettias that they are growing now will go primarily to flower shops in this area, Tom said.
“Cedar Lane Farms is a business that is always available to lend a hand to the LPT program at the Career Center,” said Gregg Gillespie. “They hire students every year, serve on our advisory committee, consult when needed on new innovations in the industry, and advocate for the Career Center within the community.” Cedar Lane provides job shadowing sites, mentoring and placement for Career Center students.
We thank Cedar Lane Farms for its contributions to the Career Center and ongoing support of career-technical education.