At Sorbello and Sons Farms, farming isn’t just an occupation—it’s a legacy that’s been passed down for more than a century. From the muck soils of Oswego County to the kitchen tables of families across the region, each onion grown carries with it generations of hard work, laughter, and love for the land.
The Sorbello story began in 1923 when Mariano “Morris” Sorbello left Catania, Italy after serving in World War I. He and his wife Rose settled in Granby, where Morris started sharecropping 15 acres of rich muck soil. With the help of his children, he grew northern yellow onions that became known for their hearty flavor and long storage life. What started as a dream for independence has grown into one of the most respected family farms in Oswego County.
Today, Sorbello and Sons is run by third-generation twin brothers David and Dana, alongside David’s sons Dylan and Rane. With the fifth generation—Dylan and Rane’s children—already showing enthusiasm for the fields, the family legacy is alive and well.
The love of farming shows up early in the Sorbello household. When Dylan and Rane were kids, they played “Onion Farm” in their sandbox, cutting cattails to plant in neat rows and pretending to be Dad or Uncle Dana as they drove toy tractors through the sand. The pair used to sleep on the floor of the parent’s bedroom so Pop couldn’t farm without them. Now, their children are carrying on that same excitement. Dylan’s son Wade couldn’t wait to join in on 
harvest this year—he laid out his farm clothes the night before, only to dissolve in tears when he realized school would keep him from walking behind the harvester to collect stray onions. “I’ve been waiting ALL YEAR for this!” he cried.
Rane’s twin girls, Amelia and Charlotte, already know their way around the tractor cab. During one ride, Charlotte snacked happily and colored on the floor while Amelia begged her dad to make another Off the Muck video for YouTube. The farm’s online following has even made its way into kindergarten classrooms—kids as young as five are fans.
And then there’s Noah, Dana’s son, who as a little boy wasn’t allowed to leave his yard; so his mother gave him a chair, and sat at the edge of the lawn to watch what was happening in the shop behind his house. Even from a distance, he stayed glued to the action.
Stories like these remind us that farming is more than crops and equipment—it’s family. It’s
children learning by watching, helping, and eventually leading. It’s the long days of harvest, the shared lunches in the field, and even the funny memories—like the time Rane insisted a cow in the woods had “barked” at him.
While traditions remain, innovation drives the farm forward. Sorbello and Sons has embraced GPS systems, modern equipment, soil health practices, and most recently, a Carbon Robotics Laser Weeder to cut down on labor and herbicide use. These efforts recently earned the farm the 2025 Business Excellence Award from Operation Oswego County, recognizing their leadership, resilience, and contributions to the region’s agricultural economy.
Still, through all the changes, the heart of the farm remains the same: growing safe, nutritious, flavorful onions with care. The Sorbellos are proud to continue the work their grandfather started, raising not only onions but also the next generation of farmers ready to carry the torch.
Because in the end, Sorbello and Sons isn’t just about onions. It’s about family, tradition, and a love for the soil that runs as deep as the muck fields where it all began.
