History of Zanella Milling, The Mill
In 1897 Robert S. Hindman and John Kelly formed the Phoenix Milling Co., and built a new state of the art flour mill at the present site in West Sunbury. They purchased the latest flour milling equipment available from a company in Muncy Pennsylvania., Sprout-Waldron who is still in business today. The mill was originally powered by a large steam engine until the oil and gas boom developed then it was converted to a large one-cylinder gas engine and is presently powered by a large fifty horse powered electric motor. The Phoenix mill went thru many owners till it was purchased by George Wolford in early 940’s.
In 1983 the mill was purchased by John and Anita Zanella who formed Zanella Milling. The mill was closed when the Zanella’s bought the property and began to restore it and the adjoining storage building. That structure has been renovated and expanded into a general hardware and Farm Mart Store. The Mill is the last producing buckwheat flour mill in Butler County. The business carries a full Iine of buckwheat flour, corn meal, and whole wheat flour. The line of products are distributed to over one hundred different retail stores and other mills throughout Butler County, as well. as shipped all over the United States. Butler County at one time was nicknamed Buckwheat County because of the large amount of buckwheat grown to be milled into flour. A lot of farmers used to grow buckwheat to pay their fall taxes as it was the fastest growing cash crop, planted on July fourth and harvested in October.
Our Buckwheat
Despite its name, buckwheat is not related to wheat or other grasses. Cultivated for thousands of years in Asia, it became a popular crop in the United States in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Its hulled and ground seeds were used to feed both animals and people. Buckwheat flour, often mixed with other grains, probably is best known as an ingredient in sourdough pancakes. Japanese use the flour to make soba noodles. When a farmer turned over a new field, he would plant buckwheat. The plant doesn’t require much fertilizer and can thrive in soils. When buckwheat is milled the outer layer of the seed (known as the hulls) are removed and often used to fill pillows and used in animal tapping. The second shell of the seed known as the mids is highly nutritious therefore in animal feeds to increase protein levels. Finally leaving us with our finished product well processed pure buckwheat flour. Zanella Milling will process twenty-five to thirty tons of buckwheat in a single season.
Today
If a farmer who brought his crops to West Sunbury back in 1897(when the mill was built) were to return, he would find few changes. Long belts still run between floors, utilizing a single drive shaft found in the basement to transfer power to cleaners and processing machines. They also make self-rising buckwheat flour, corn meal, whole wheat flour and pancake flour. The only ingredient in Zanella’s whole wheat flour is pure whole wheat grain. In addition to its line of different ground flour Zanella Milling also produces a wide variety of custom feeds for all dog, cat, livestock, poultry, wild game and birds. In addition to carrying their own line of feeds, they carry a full line of Kalmbach , Diamond Naturals, Taste of the Wild, Purina and High Standard feeds.
John Zanella and his wife Anita both grew up on Butler County farms they have four children, Matthew, Mark, Kalani, and Tiffany.
Sons, Matthew and Mark now own the Mill as John and Anita still work there with their son’s.
Who We Are
We are northern Butler County”s local source for all of your farm supply needs. From animal health, feed, seed, and pet supplies, to fencing, farm hardware, and lawn & garden tools, we know what you need and when you need it. Each of our independently owned locations has a friendly staff dedicated to serving the needs of the community and providing you with an excellent experience every time you visit. We pride ourselves on our expertise and excellent products at great prices.
Our Testimonials What They Say
I bought the Buckwheat Flour and made buckwheat pancakes this morning. I added an egg but all the rest of the ingredients are in there. WONDERFUL! Love them. Local (Butler, PA) honey, bird seed and lots of great stuff at reasonable prices, Friendly young lady at the checkout. (I’m old. Everyone is young!) Will be back again.
Toni M. Intercourse, PA Aug 4, 2018
Reasonable prices, kind family and great location! Right in the heart of the famous Pennsylvania city, West
Sunbury, this mill offers more than just bird feed and shovels! Pig ear for your dog, plants for your garden, and free kittens for your dog to scare the heck out of! You can’t beat it.
Businessyab.com Most Recent Reviews
(April 14, 2024, 1:38 pm)
Great store out the way for me but well worth the trip loved it, friendly staff, quick service, reasonable price,
(January 18, 2024, 7:50 pm)
Well stocked. Great service.
(August 25, 2023, 5:30 pm)
Excellent service with quality local feed. Helpful employees.(December 7, 2022, 9:59 am)
A wonderful, family-owned business. Their prices are fair and their service makes you feel like you’re part of the family. Their buckwheat flour for pancakes is delicious, but we also get feed for our chickens, premium cat and dog food, and supplies for around our homestead.
(August 25, 2022, 12:36 pm)
These guys are fantastic! Always available and ready to offer advice and answer questions. Their own wild bird feed is the best. Browsing the store is like a step back in time… in the best way. I recommend them for feed, seed, hardware and all manner of sundry country supplies.
Dan F.
We try to buy as much as possible from small local businesses, and there is a lot at Zanella’s that keeps us going back – from flour to vegetable seeds and gardening tools to hardware for around the workshop. A great family store, very…
Great Place- The people are fantastic and friendly. “I have been told that they carry everything and if you can’t find it ask. ” so far I have found this to be true, nails, scews, animal feed, candy, spices, kittens and any thing else you…
We buy pet food and supplies here. They make a lot of their own feeds. Great family owned business. They remember who you are, and what you buy before you even ask! They also have a nice supply of fencing and other materials for your…
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