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Logo of Lesser Farms featuring a stylized barn and cow illustration, emphasizing sustainable farming and agricultural practices.

About Us

Our Story

Lesser Farms and Orchard is owned by brothers Dale and Tom Lesser. Other family members involved include their mother, Carol Lesser; Brother, David Lesser and Tom’s son Albert, who is the 5th generation of Lessers to farm the family farm that began with Dale and Tom’s great-grandfather, August; grandfather Ezra; and father Norwin.

The orchard has been on the land for a long time, but it was in 1962 when our family began selling the “nice apples” by the roadside. From there, that part of the operation grew over the years and eventually led to making (unpasteurized) cider. To this day our family still presses cider in the same manner as we did when we pressed our first gallon.

What We Offer

ENTERED IN JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW

Among the six 4-H club members in Washtenaw county who are feeding livestock for entry in the Junior show at Detroit is Mary Lesser, 14, shown above with her Aberdeen Angus steer. She is in the eighth grade of the Spiegelberg school, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Lesser, who live five miles west of Dexter.

Published In Ann Arbor News, November 18, 1936 | Learn More

History of the Dexter Mill

In November of 1919, approximately 50 farmers met at the Dexter Opera House and formed the Dexter Agriculture Association. They opened for business on January 1, 1920. The co-operative idea quickly caught on and within two months there were 94 members, contributing $20,000 to the treasury. In 1921, they began selling coal and shipping livestock for the members, charging only the cost of the shipping. August Lesser (2nd generation) became the manager during this time. Learn More

Black and white dairy cows grazing in a lush green pasture under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds, featuring a foreground cow standing near a fallen tree branch.
Bags and crates filled with various types of apples, including red and green varieties, arranged in a storage area. The image showcases the organized display of fresh produce, highlighting the abundance of apples ready for sale or distribution.
Colorful assortment of pumpkins and gourds displayed in rustic wooden crates, featuring vibrant orange pumpkins, white pumpkins, and various decorative gourds, surrounded by bright orange marigold flowers in a garden setting.
A herd of black and white Holstein cows grazing in a grassy field under a blue sky with wispy clouds, surrounded by a wooden fence and trees in the background.
Close-up of a black and white dairy cow's head peeking through a wooden barn wall, featuring an ear tag labeled
Herd of black and white Holstein cows grazing in a lush green pasture surrounded by trees, showcasing healthy livestock in a natural farming environment.
Lesser Farms sign displaying apple picking, along with offerings of beef, cider, honey, plums, and pumpkins, surrounded by vibrant flowers and greenery.
White agricultural truck positioned between two large harvesting machines on a sunny day, with clear blue skies and a field of harvested crops in the background.
Industrial machinery in a processing room, featuring a conveyor system with a motorized component, alongside a white container and a brown cloth. The setup suggests operations related to manufacturing or food processing.