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About Capital press. (Salem, OR) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (April 14, 2017)
April 14, 2017 CapitalPress.com 5 Berry farm thrives amid growing suburbs For the Capital Press Suzanne Frary/For the Capital Press Bill Zimmerman checks the blueberry plants on his farm north of Vancouver, Wash- ington, Feb. 13. Bi-Zi Farms grows about 30 acres of berries, including around 5 acres of blueberries. Clark County. The farm, founded by the Zimmerman family in 1872, is bordered by 27 houses and a two-lane road the county plans to widen to four lanes. Bill and Peggy Zimmerman started farming full-time in 1981. Their son and daughter- devoted to strawberries, blue- berries, raspberries and black- berries. The fruit accounts for about 25 percent of the farm’s business. “Local strawberries are al- ways a hit,” Peggy Zimmerman said. “All the berries do fantastic here. It’s the perfect weather for them,” Bill Zimmerman said. He credits Southwest Wash- ington’s mild temperatures and low humidity for keeping the berries healthy. The farm grows early-, mid- and late-season varieties, har- vesting fruit from June through September. After the growing season, Bi-Zi Farms stays open with an October corn maze and pump- kin patch. It also sells Christ- mas trees and wreaths during November and December. The Zimmermans hire about 25 pickers. Many stay on through fall. About five em- ployees work in the fields year- round, tending the blackberry and raspberry canes. In the past, Bill Zimmerman didn’t have concerns about finding workers. That’s begin- ning to change. It’s too early to know the Trump administra- tion’s effect on labor. Already, though, Zimmer- man has heard talk of workers returning to Mexico because they “don’t want to put up with the harassment.” HAZELNUT FARM – SALEM, OR Crafted for Safety, Longevity, Stability and Affordability! Quality Made in the Since 1954 tallmanladders.com (541) 386-2733 (800) 354-2733 • 1.5 Acre Building Site for Home and Shop • 93.3 acres with 92.1 acres planted to Hazelnuts • 9x20’ double density planting • Water rights, pattern tiled, drip irrigation with fertilizer and chemigation system CELL: 541-979-0118 OFFICE: 541-704-2737 www.shelms.com ONV17-4/#T1D Flory Quality. For the Long Run! Flory’s full line of sweepers, harvesters and flail mowers have a heritage of superior performance all over the World. All engineered and built to deliver the highest productivity at the lowest operating cost for superior profits. For almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, figs and other types of crops. We are the one company that makes exciting, dynamic moves to the best for you. The result is Flory harvesting equipment for the long run. Start with Flory and finish sooner for optimum crop quality and profits. 33 SERIES AIR CAB SWEEPER 860 HARVESTER ONV17-7/#5 NEW 57 SERIES SWEEPER 3000 SERIES SELF-PROPELLED 480-H 8600-H HARVESTER FLAIL MOWER 9’ TO 15’ HARVESTER Chehalem Valley Orchard Equipment 24175 Dayton Ave., Newberg, OR 97132 503-538-7739 ONV17-7/#7 Bi-Zi Farms owners Bill and Peggy Zimmerman have an understanding with their neighbors. People are welcome to walk the dirt paths around the fields, but please don’t eat the berries. The farm’s fruits and veg- etables sometimes prove too tempting. Strawberries in par- ticular attract illicit pickers to the property north of Vancou- ver, Wash. “We explain that we sell what we grow. It’s how we make our living,” Bill Zimmer- man said. Zimmerman worries not only about neighbors cutting into profits, but he also worries about their health. “When people pick the ber- ries, they don’t know we have certain times when we spray,” he said. “There are mice and other mammals around, and there could be droppings. There’s a chance of E. coli.” Interlopers unfamiliar with agriculture are a challenge for the owners of the 105-acre farm in a rapidly developing area of in-law, Doug and Sadie Zim- merman, have joined them. Since 1993, they have sold their berries, flowers and veg- etables directly to customers from their roadside store. Be- fore that, the Zimmermans grew oats and clover seed. Neighbors have complained about dust and early morning noise. One neighbor said bees were “pooping” on her roof. She was placated with a quart of honey. Bill Zimmerman said they try to compromise with neigh- bors. He said there’s give-and- take when farming in a residen- tial area. Some homeowners are hap- py to have a farm next door. They’ve told the Zimmermans they prefer fields to another subdivision. When asked if there’s an upside to farming in an urban area, Peggy Zimmerman said, “Yes. 400,000 customers in the county.” “We are almost at the limit of what we can sell,” Bill Zim- merman said. Nearly every acre of the farm, plus 10 leased acres, are committed. About 30 acres are ONV17-2/#8 By SUZANNE FRARY
