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Larry Thompson
Boring, Oregon
SUMMARY
 43
fruit and vegetable crops on 140 acres
Direct-marketing
through farmstand, farmers markets, pick-your-own
Educational
seasonal events for school children, families
BACKGROUND
Larry Thompson's parents,
Victor and Betty, began raising raspberries, strawberries and broccoli in the
rolling hills southeast of Portland in 1947. They sold their produce to local
processors, where agents for the canneries always set the purchase price. In
1983, Larry took over the main responsibility of operating the farm and sought
more profitable channels.
After Larry started
working on the 140-acre farm, he quickly grasped that selling to the canneries
failed to cover production expenses. The family flung open the farm gate to
the suburban Portland community. They began by offering pick- your-own berries
and selling the fruit at a stand they built at the farm. Strawberry sales were
so strong, Thompson decided to plant new varieties to extend the season.
The Thompsons soon attracted
a loyal following, primarily from Portland 20 miles away. They began selling
at area farmers markets, too. Today, the family and 23 employees raise 43 crops
and sell them at six markets, two farm stands and through on-farm activities
such as farm tours and pump-kin picking.
PROFITABILITY
To Thompson, profitability means that at year's end, he has earned more money
than he spent. "I reach that level consistently," he says.
As ruler of his destiny,
rather than the more passive role the family once took with processors, Thompson
makes sure he earns a profit. He figures the cost of planting, raising and harvesting
each crop, then doubles it in his asking price. His most profitable crop, consistently,
is strawberries.
Retaining different
marketing channels gives Thompson a chance to cross-promote.
ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES
Thompson is a dedicated advocate of crop rotations and planting a succession
of flowering species to control pests without pesticides. He relies on cover
crops to control weeds and provide habitat for beneficial insects.
Thompson allows native
grasses and dandelions to grow between his berry rows. The dandelion blossoms
attract bees, efficient berry pollinators. The mixed vegetation provides an
alluring habitat that, along with flowering fruit and vegetable plants, draws
insects that prey on pests. Late in the year, Thompson doesn't mow broccoli
stubble. Instead, he lets side shoots bloom, creating a long-term nectar source
for bees into early winter.
Runoff used to be a
major problem at Thompson Farms, which sits on erodible soils. Thanks to cover
crops and other soil cover, virtually no soil leaves the farm anymore.
COMMUNITY, OUTREACH,
QUALITY OF LIFE
Thompson was a finalist for SARE's 2002 Patrick Madden Award for Sustainable
Agriculture. Many call him a pro at "relationship" marketing, forming
bonds with customers who see a value in local produce raised with few chemicals.
Thompson regularly offers tours - to students, other farmers, researchers and
visiting international delegations - to show off his holistic pest management
strategies and bounty of colorful crops. As a result, the farm attracts people
by the busload for educational seasonal events.
"Instead of seeing
my farm as a secluded hideaway, I am getting the community involved, bringing
them to see our principles in action," Thompson said.
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