Whitewater Ranch: Organic Blueberries and Environmental Stewardship Converge Along the McKenzie
Visitors to the McKenzie River in Oregon’s Willamette Valley soon discover why the area inspires so many to wax poetic. Both rich in stunning natural features and steeped with history, this region has served its residents since before Oregon became a state. First inhabited by the Kalapuya and Molala people, followed by settlers brought by the Oregon Trail in the mid-1800’s, the river is now home to small communities that dot its shoreline, and draws in anglers and hikers throughout the year.
The area is also home to a few agricultural families who enjoy the pristine setting. A well-loved grower-partner with OGC, Whitewater Ranch is one of those lucky few farms to call the McKenzie home.
Though the land that Whitewater Ranch now sits on has transformed numerous times since its founding, with the first recorded development dating back to the 1890s, it’s now home to a thoughtfully run organic blueberry farm with owners Jim Russell and his wife Jane Haake-Russell at the helm.
The Russells have been incredibly measured and intentional about utilizing the land and establishing their blueberry production. The right way, as they’ve found, isn’t always easy, but it’s apparent when speaking to Jim that he wouldn’t have done it any other way.
Jim shares that they’ve selected to grow challenging varieties that other producers often shy away from in favor of less demanding plants. While these varieties pose some initial difficulties, once established they ensure that Whitewater Ranch is producing their largest volume at the height of the season.
Draper, for example, is a blueberry bush susceptible to root rot but produces exceptional berries known for their size, shelf life, and sweet flavor. The delicious Liberty variety is often avoided by growers because its output comes in waves, necessitating multiple picks across the length of a season. Top Shelf, which is a cross between Draper and Liberty, grows a very small root ball and takes a few years for it to fully establish, meaning growers need to sink time and resources into those crops before they hit full production. But its size and flavor make it well worth the effort. Cargo is a variety that’s difficult to track down seeds for any more as it’s been patented, but it is known for its vigorous growth and heavy fruit set.
While many might see these choices as unnecessary trouble, Jim sees his investment in these special varieties as playing the long game, and one that’s worthwhile.
“We are knee deep in berries right now,” Jim boasts. “And we’re seeing some of the best quality, biggest berries we’ve ever produced. Each year keeps getting better.”
Planting in 2012 and again in 2017, Whitewater Ranch’s organic berry production reached 300,000 pounds in 2019, with a likely 400,000 pounds being harvested from their fields this year. Their five- to seven-year outlook estimates an impressive 800,000 pounds once their fields have come to full maturation and their harvesting practices have been perfected.
Jim attributes part of the quality of his berries to the location of their farm, noting that the soil is nutrient-dense river bottom soil and the water they irrigate the crops with is drawn directly from the crystal-clear McKenzie.
“In some respects,” Jim says, “we’re micro fertilizing every time we run water because it’s coming from an environmental water source.”
That fact alone is motivation to ensure their river-adjacent land is well taken care of. When talking with Jim, it is clear they farm with care for the natural environment. The Russells have gone to great lengths to minimize impact on native flora and fauna.
With over 80 acres of fields, Whitewater Ranch is broken into varietal blocks, each enclosed in its own fence. This acts as a barrier to keep pests away from their berries, but also ensures that there’s a clear path and wildlife corridor for forest-dwelling animals from the treeline to the river.
For the past six years, the Russells have made their land accessible to the University of Oregon’s Environmental Leadership Program. The university is working on a riparian restoration project to repair damage from a past dairy farm that destroyed the vegetation along a stream that runs through their property. The program is working to restore the habitat for pollinators, as well as cool down the stream to be more habitable by fish. The team visits the stream every Friday during the spring and documents its findings at the end of each season, producing a progress report. As an organic farmer, Jim notes, it’s a great document to share when updating certification.
The Russell’s inspiring commitment to their land and work has not gone unnoticed by OGC.
“It’s a pristine location,” shares OGC’s National Sales Manager, Nathan Johnson. “They’ve worked hard to be good stewards of the land and have invited a lot of collaboration to do so. Visiting Whitewater Ranch is always something to look forward to.”