Liepold Farms: A Berry Sweet Legacy
Nestled in the foothills of Mount Hood lies a family berry operation that has thrived for generations. Liepold Farms buzzes to life each spring as rows upon rows of berries flourish under the watchful eyes of three generations of the Liepold family.
OGC is excited to offer Liepold’s certified organic berries, starting now with strawberries featuring Albion, Mary’s Peak and Hood varieties. The first harvests are rich in sweet flavor and deep red in color. Liepold is a season-long source for strawberries, with acres of lush green plants loaded with blossoms promising a bountiful yield.
During a recent farm visit, Jeff Liepold steered a bouncing tractor past blooming raspberries, while nearby acres of ripening strawberries and Marionberries basked in the spring sun. Here, eight types of berries mingle with rotational fields of wheat and clover, totaling around 250 acres in this marvelously fertile land.
"There's always something to do," Jeff remarks, reflecting on the never-ending cycle of planting, tending and harvesting that defines farm life.
The farm's history dates back to 1952 when John and Elsa Liepold settled in Oregon and started what would become a legacy. Their son Rod and his wife Marcia took the reins in 1985 and still work the fields today alongside their children, son Jeff and his wife Jen, and daughter Michelle and her husband Paul. Now, with grandchildren like Brandon, who has been actively involved ever since he could talk, the farm truly embodies a multi-generational operation.
The brother-sister team of Jeff and Michelle capture the hands-on spirit of their parents and grandparents, coordinating the bustling activity of the farm. A crew of seasonal workers, many returning year after year, help hand-pick strawberries and harvest other varieties all summer. Fresh berries go from farm to customer within a day, guaranteeing peak flavor and shelf life.
Liepold Farms isn’t just about producing berries; it’s about farming sustainably. The farm is proudly certified organic and holds USDA Organic and GlobalGAP certifications, showing its commitment to quality and environmental responsibility.
"You have to be good stewards of the land, take care of your team and be diversified to be viable," Michelle says. This ethos has kept the land thriving and the family business robust.
Michelle is passionate about using the farm to educate. Besides their commercial berry operation, she tends to a teaching garden and events that educate visitors about organic farming, pollinators and river conservation. She also organizes an annual fall festival, hosting local school groups and families for a fun farm experience.
Despite the impact of challenges like summertime fires, which can fill the air with smoke and halt fieldwork, the Liepold family remains resilient with dedicated sourcing partners like OGC and Burgerville restaurants. They’re also experimenting with new berry varieties and forming international collaborations with the health community, safeguarding their farm's evolution and future.
Daily harvests and deliveries set the farm’s rhythm. Morning harvests are swiftly followed by afternoon deliveries to the OGC’s Portland hub, making sure customers enjoy the freshest berries within 24 hours of picking.
Liepold Farms is all about family, history and the everlasting appeal of fresh, organically grown berries. It's a place where the past and present merge, caring for the land and the community, one sweet berry at a time.
Create farmer's market excitement in your produce department by carrying open pint and half pint options. Talk to your OGC Account Representative about ordering flats of organic strawberries and watch for other berries from Liepold Farms all summer long.