Leroy M. Sensenig was born on July 25, 1909, and grew up on a small farm near Blue Ball in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. As one of ten children, he was no stranger to hard work. He spent his early years working on several different farms as hired help, gaining hands-on experience in agriculture from a young age.
At 19, Leroy began working at Trupe’s Feed Mill near Terre Hill. That job opened the door to what would become a lifelong path. In 1936, a friend of Leroy’s father offered him the opportunity to manage a small feed mill. Leroy accepted—and that move laid the foundation for his future in the feed business.
After managing the mill for nine years, Leroy made the decision to strike out on his own. In 1945, he purchased the Hinkletown Feed Mill from Earl Sauder. With that purchase, “Sensenig’s Feed Mill” officially began.
In 1959, Leroy’s son Ken joined the business. Like his father, Ken had grown up working on various farms, so stepping into the family trade came naturally. Two years later, in 1961, Leroy shifted his focus to restoring an old gristmill near Red Run Campground, handing over the day-to-day operations at the Hinkletown mill to Ken.
By 1969, Ken became part of the newly incorporated Leroy M. Sensenig Inc. The following year, the company purchased Martin’s Feed Mill in Ephrata to support the growth happening at the Hinkletown location.
The third generation of Sensenig’s joined the business over the next decade. Mike came onboard in 1979, followed by Scott in 1984, and Karl in 1987. Each son took on a role in the growing operation, continuing the family tradition.
In 1985, the business moved again—this time to New Holland—when the family purchased the Earl Sauder Feed Mill. That’s where Sensenig’s Feed Mill remains today.
Ken retired in 2003. After his retirement, Mike, Scott, and Karl took over leadership of the company and continued building on what their father and grandfather had started.
Today, Mike and his sons, Kyle and Kurt, continue to lead the feed mill “Great Grandpa Leroy” started back in 1945—carrying the legacy forward with pride and purpose.
