There are thousands of people that come up to tour the Hood River Fruit Loop each and every year in the Summer and Autumn months. We are so grateful to be apart of this group of amazing farms and wineries. We meet so many kind people from all over the world and it is our pleasure to share the fruits of our labor forward with everyone who finds their way to our small family farm. Though I am thankful for these one time visitors I am compelled to write today about the tried and true friends of our farm that come every few weeks to stock up on fruit for their families. Our Loyal customers are really who have kept our farm going strong through the decades and I couldn't be more grateful for their continued loyalty and friendship of Mt. View Orchards.
I am always touched to see friends of our farm come back and mention to myself or my parents that "This is our farm." They proudly share that they have made a commitment to back us up and to get their local fruit farm direct. We have people who continue to come purchase fruit since the beginning when parents first starting selling from their farm stand in the late 1960's. Sometimes 3 generations of families and friends will come for a peach or apple picking day on the farm. This is such a huge honor and pleasure for us as farmers to know we have been feeding and nurturing these family members for almost 50 years.
Farming is about thriving. When the soil thrives, my family and my community thrive. My hope is that the lives after ours will thrive. It's simple, but, to quote Wendell Berry, "This is no paradisal dream. Its hardship is its possibility. There are many reasons why I got into farming. It is my way forward in addressing all of the things I care about- environmental, social, and economic issues- it nurtures my creative side, and I love to spend my days working amongst our trees and flowers. And there is the joy of sitting in the field at dusk eating the most delicious, sun-warmed peaches.
If you live in the Columbia River Gorge, Willamette Valley, Idaho, Southern Washington or Hood River Valley I want to personally invite you to come and visit our farm this season. We encourage sampling and open up our farm like a large living room for all to enjoy. We love your kids, dogs on a leash and questions about our farming practices or preserving fruit for colder months. We appreciate everyone who wants to come and pick their own fruit. We love all the social media shout outs/pictures and when people bring their neighbors for the first time. It really is a Win/Win for us both. There is one particular customer we love in her 90's who comes to purchase fruit every two weeks from across the river. She always comes with her family and my mother expresses how grateful she feels to see this woman come every time to our small family farm to back us up.
We care deeply about growing food for our community and want you to know who we are and to enjoy the 2016 abundant harvest season at Mt. View Orchards. We love hyperlocal friends of our farm including our neighbors on trout creek and those who drive as far each month from Boise, Idaho. When the friends of Mt. View Orchards show up it makes our farmers hearts smile. xox your grateful farmer, Trina
Frequently asked questions about visiting the farm
1. Does it cost to visit your farm and enjoy the day there? Its FREE so pack a picnic and bring your boxes and bags because we have peach and apple picking for days.
2. What days are you open? Currently 7 days a week until November.
3. Do you have any after hours if I work while you are Open? Yes we have self serve hours in the early mornings and evenings and in November and December
4. How do we join your CSA so you can bring me fruit to my neighborhood in Portland? Check out this link for the 2017 season. Our CSA rocks!
5. I want to know more about having my birthday, family reunion, wedding or special event on your farm. Please email us at mtvieworchards@gmail.com to learn more
6. Whats available for pick your own? check out our Facebook page or website to know what we are picking fresh each week guys. (Red box at the top at www.mtvieworchards.com)
7. Can I buy a whole bin of fruit from you guys for a cider party? Yes email a week before you need it at mtvieworchards@gmail.com to see if we have one to reserve.
8. Do you bring in fruit to local restaurants? Yes On Mondays and Fridays.
9. We want to do a fundraiser? Yes we do fundraisers with schools, scouts, non profits and more email us learn more about it. mtvieworchards@gmail.com
10. When is Swiss day? Every 4th Saturday of October
11. When do hayrides start? We start them when we have the man power to run them so Saturdays in October this year.
12. When do you start the Golden Delicious Milage apples? We started this program to thank our loyal costumers for coming many times. End of September
13. When are the later apples ready/the keeper apples? We will be picking them end of the month(September). (The ones that keep until Spring are Fugis, Grannies, Romes, Braeburns, Pippins, etc)
14. Do you ship? We don't at this point. We used to and the fruit arrived so banged up that it wasn't representing our farm well. We prefer to source locally. If you want to ship to a friend you may but you have to wrap up the apples and pears well and let them know they may arrive a little weathered from their journey. (We don't recommend stone fruits too delicate/peaches etc)
15. What day to do have apple cider glazed donuts? Every Saturday and Sunday and Monday Holidays in September and October
16. Do you do school tours or international tours on your farm? Yes we do so email us about it mtvieworchards@gmail.com
17. When is the next farm to table dinner fundraiser? Oct 2nd visit www.gorgegrown.com for tickets
18. Are you hiring? Yes email us your resume at mtvieworchards.com to inquire we love a wide range of ages and skills.
19. Do you sell hard cider? Yes