Tioga Farm & Home Inc., dba Owego Agway and dba Endicott Away, local stores specializing in lawn and garden supplies and related products, are not affected by the bankruptcy filing by Agway, Inc.
 
Paul Cavataio, owner, said his and other retail stores in the Northeast that carry the Agway name as part of their identity are local, independently-owned businesses and are not part of the Agway corporate entity involved in the bankruptcy filing.
 As part of its dealership agreement, the local operation uses the Agway name to identify itself as a source of Agway-branded products now supplied primarily by Southern States, a cooperative headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Souther States acquired Agway's farm and home business in 2000.

 "We are saddened by the fact the depressed agricultural economy and Agway's related financial problems led to the bankruptcy filing," Cavataio said. "Our belief is that Agway will emerge from bankruptcy as a stronger operation. In the meantime, it's important that people understand that it's business as usual for Tioga Farm and Home and that we anticipate no changes in our operations," Cavataio said.

 Last month, Agway, Inc. announced it would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in federal district court.