Co-op Member Spotlight: Country Heritage Farms

Pieper Sweeney, Country Heritage Farms, LLC

Growing up in the city of Salem, row crops, grass seed and orchards were likely the furthest thing from Pieper Sweeney’s mind. That all changed when she met her husband Tom, 37 years ago, both students at Oregon State University. Tom, a third-generation farmer from Dayton studying Ag Business and Pieper working towards a communication degree, were married in 1989 and returned to Country Heritage Farms, LLC, where Tom grew up. Fast forward three decades later and farming is second nature to Pieper.

“What I appreciate about farming is that the drive to keep going is internal,” Pieper said. “We have been blessed with good years, but we’ve also had really tough years, and we keep farming because it’s just who we are. Sometimes we’re asked when we’ll retire, but the truth is that when farming is in your blood, I don’t know that you could ever fully retire,” Pieper added. At Country Heritage Farms that love of farming dates back to 1923. The farm was started by Tom’s grandparents who immigrated to Oregon in 1923 from Walla Walla. His parents, Sam and Nancy, grew it to be a robust row crop farm, producing over 10 fruit and vegetable crops at a time, including strawberries, green beans, sweet corn, broccoli and cauliflower to name a few. That shifted when their local cooperative dissolved. They had to switch gears and decided to diversify into nuts and grass. Today, their farm focuses on grass seed and hazelnuts, but they also grow Marionberries, wheat and clover. Sam is still involved with sales and seed cleaning, and is a great sounding board for new ideas. Sam served as Palmer Creek Water District Secretary/Treasurer and is currently on the Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation Board. He is also instrumental in maintaining and passing on the history of Country Heritage Farms to his grandchildren, all 9 of whom could tell you the story of the miracle strawberry field that once saved the farm.

While Tom oversees the operations of the farm, he says he farms “because ski season ends in April.” Pieper manages the farm books and handles agency compliance duties. Serving their community is also a priority for the Sweeney’s. Pieper has served on the Yamhill County Farm Bureau Board and Oregon Farm Bureau labor committee, the local Planning Commission and currently serves on the Dayton School Board.

After celebrating 100 years of farming last year, it’s the family aspect of farming that Pieper recognizes as the best part of what they do. “I love the seasonality of farming and that you put your blood, sweat and tears into it,” Pieper said. “But more than anything, I love that it’s a family business. I love that Sam and Nancy were a great team and showed Tom and I what that partnership could look like. I love that Tom and his sisters built their childhood memories on this farm and that my kids did the same. I love that my granddaughter is getting that experience as my daughter farms with her husband on their family farm. There just really isn’t anything quite like it.”

The Sweeney’s have been members of Wilco for many years. They utilize the services of Valley Ag and value the accessibility of the Wilco Farm Stores. “When we purchase from Wilco it feels like we’re a part of it all,” Pieper said. “We’ve gotten tremendous service from Wilco over the years.”