Celebrating Transitions: Spring Hill Organic Farm Sprouts Sunrise Organic Farm & Eloisa Organic Farm
The progression from summer to fall recently inspired OGC to reflect on the theme of “transitions.” Supporting the next generation of organic farmers, and finding opportunities to prioritize more growers of color, are two of OGC’s priorities. While not new news to those in the Pacific Northwest’s community of growers and purveyors of organic produce, Jamie Kitzrow and wife Lisa Schwartz’s retirement from farming in 2019 and their subsequent passing of the torch from Spring Hill Farm to Sunrise and Eloisa is a lovely story to share this time of year that touches on both themes.
Jamie and Lisa, 1992
Founded in 1990 by Jamie Kitzrow and wife Lisa Schwartz, Spring Hill Farm began on 18 acres of fertile Willamette Valley land, just outside of Albany, OR. Before starting their operation, Jamie made his way to Oregon State University via upstate New York with the intent of pursuing an education in forestry. But, he soon stumbled upon a work-study job with the Horticulture Department’s experimental vegetable farm and realized his true passion lay in agriculture.
While in his 20s, Jamie worked with other familiar to the Pacific Northwest’s organic community: Denison Farms and Gathering Together Farm. The time spent with those two growers afforded him invaluable hands-on experience, as well as an introduction to OGC.
When it came time to branch off and start a farm, Jamie notes that OGC was integral in helping Spring Hill get a foot in the door through help with crop planning and finding customers for the vegetables the farm was producing.
In Spring Hill’s first ten years, the farm was staffed predominantly by college students. While there was some continuity in the team of workers, there was also a lot of turnover.
In 2000, the demand for organic produce began to increase rapidly, prompting Spring Hill to take on an additional 27 acres of leased land. Jamie describes it as Spring Hill’s second chapter, and with the turning of that page, the farm found itself in need of a more professional, year-round crew. What had traditionally been handled by a rotating crew of six to eight now demanded closer to 45 committed workers.
Spring Hill found what they were looking for within the local Hispanic community.
Paulo Martinez was Jamie’s first hire after acquiring more land. Originally from Oaxaca and just 18 years old at the time, Jamie describes Paolo as an incredibly dedicated worker who was quick to learn how to farm. Before too long, Paulo had recruited his brother, Floriberto, along with other friends and family to join him at Spring Hill.
Like Paulo and his family, Virginia Herrera originally hailed from Oaxaca and joined the Spring Hill crew, quickly becoming one of Jamie’s most dependable workers.
In time, the dedication and exceptional understanding of the needs of the farm elevated Paulo, Floriberto and Virginia into management positions. For this reason, when Jamie and Lisa decided it was time to begin transitioning into retirement, these three were amongst a group of workers that the couple encouraged to take on the mantle of ownership.
Jamie and Lisa wished to remain in their home, which sits on the 18 acres of land they own, and where much of Spring Hill’s infrastructure was built, including a packing shed and cooler. Once it was clear that Paolo and Filberto would form their own entity, and Virginia and her husband Zenon another, the three groups began formulating a financial plan that would set the two new farms up for success.
Paolo and Floriberto named Sunrise Organic Farm for the new beginning ownership inspired.
With that, Sunrise Organic Farm and Eloisa Organic Farm were named, and their paperwork put in order. The contract on the leased land was transferred to the two new farms, and the 27 acres split fifty-fifty. Jamie worked to create a contract with both farms to acquire the hoop houses and equipment from Spring Hill with terms and a repayment plan that were comfortable enough that they wouldn’t hinder either farms’ early success. Crops were divided up so each of the two farms would enjoy equal patronage from OGC and other wholesale accounts.
In the first year of farming, Sunrise and Eloisa mostly followed the crop plans that Spring Hill had in place before the transition. But, since then have begun to find areas of expertise that are helping to distinguish themselves.
Virginia and Zenon named their farm in celebration of Virginia’s mother, Eloisa.
Eloisa has begun expanding the chile peppers they grow and has found success at farmers markets and the wholesale level by increasing production on the often-sought-after Habanero pepper.
Paulo and Floriberto have taken up a particular interest in tomatoes and have increased their volume and number of varieties above what was previously planted. This year their slicing tomatoes were some of the best the two had ever tasted.
The two farms are finding their way in a region that has become accustomed to accessing some of the best organic produce a shopper can hope to find. But, it certainly has not come without challenges.
Virginia noted that because of her immigration status, Eloisa was not eligible to receive any government relief funds during the summer of 2020 when forest fires blanketed the region in smoke and ash. And, navigating all aspects of ownership and planning for a business is more difficult as a non-native speaker. Yet, despite the long hours and at times uncertainty, it's clear when listening to Virginia talk about her work that she is deeply passionate about ensuring Eloisa’s success.
Paulo and Floriberto shared that finding workers for Sunrise is a challenge for them, like so many others. But, they’re happy to employ some of the same crew they worked alongside at Spring Hill. Despite the challenges, the two couldn’t be happier to have the chance to build something as a family and are only optimistic about their future.
On the decision to help bring Eloisa and Sunrise into existence, Jamie reflected on his first ten years in farming, where he says there were many years he wasn’t sure that Spring Hill was going to make it. Helping these new farmers jump in and have a running start was the best possible way he could take his exit.