The Kiyokawa Family Orchards is located in Hood River Oregon, along the Columbia River Gorge. The Kiyokawa Family Orchard grows many fruits and provides many ways to engage with the orchards. This video was put together by the Oregon State University and they have done a wonderful job of capturing the natural health and beauty of what an Oregon Orchard can provide. Read details about the Kiyokawa Family Orchard below.
The Kiyokawa family has been farming in the Hood River Valley since 1911. A third-generation orchardist, Randy took over the orchard from his father in 1988.
“I kind of knew in the back of my mind this was what I would do, but as a kid I wanted to be a policeman or a DJ,” Randy says.
Instead, he studied agricultural engineering at Oregon State University, and worked in Portland for several years before it was time for him to come back home and take over the farm.
Under Randy’s leadership, the orchard has focused on direct marketing to customers through fruit stands, farmers markets and U-pick orchards. He says that direct marketing saved the orchard when the apple market collapsed and his business was struggling.
“The farm-direct side has really taken off. I love dealing with the customers,” he says. “The local and sustainable movement has been a big plus.”
SRC: Watch another video featuring the Kiyokawa Family Orchards at: sites.oregonstate.edu/beaver-nation/everywhere/gorge/
Looking for lodging near the Columbia River Gorge? Check out Lodging Here