The Liepolds have been growing a variety of tasty northwestern berries on their family farm in Boring, Oregon since the 1950s. They were one of the premier vendors at the Hollywood Farmers’ Market when it opened in 1997. Marcia Liepold recalls braving the pouring rain on that first market day. She survived and has been bringing berries to the market ever since.
Liepold Farms features strawberries, raspberries, black caps (black raspberries), Marion berries, blueberries, and boysenberries. They grow three types of fall season blackberries and raspberries so they can remain at the market well into October. This year, they are introducing fall season blueberries.
Marcia Liepold explains that their farm is very family-centered and everyone in the family helps on the farm and at the market. Marcia and her husband Rod strive to be good stewards of the land so their son and daughter can eventually take over the farm and continue the legacy into future generations.
Marcia says farmers’ markets are helping keep the farm a viable business. She commented that the days of raising berries to sell to the cannery are over and that the Hollywood Farmers’ Market, along with other farmers’ markets, helps fill that gap by giving them the opportunity to sell directly to the consumer.
Many are wondering how the recent cool temperatures have affected the berry harvest. Liepold Farms made their first appearance at the Hollywood Farmers’ Market last Saturday under beautiful blue skies a few weeks later than normal. This Saturday they will have fresh picked bright red Oregon strawberries at their booth. Marcia doesn’t know quite when the next variety of berries will be ready but she is keeping an eye on the weather. She noted that the recent series of sunny days has helped give the berries the jump start they needed. So get out your canning jars and favorite berry recipes and stop by the Liepold Farms booth to get your fresh picked berries!
Written by Liz Guest, HFM Volunteer, 2008