Our Family History
In 1842, our ancestor James Madison Townsend arrived from his long journey up from South Carolina and across the Oregon Trail.
When he first saw the rich, fertile soil of the Willamette Valley, he knew he’d found the ideal region to produce the best crops for years to come. In the early 1900s, James’ grandson, John “Jack” W. Townsend moved his family to the Farm’s current location nestled in the Columbia Gorge. The temperate climate and sandy, loamy terrain continue to provide the consummate environment for abundant fruit harvests rife with texture and flavor.
Grandpa Jack’s great-grandson, Mike, currently oversees the family business today, along with his wife Margaret, daughter Heidi, and son Billy, supported by four generations of Townsends and a professional office and farm staff. We’ve expanded from our Columbia Gorge land to encompass like-minded family farms across the U.S. and around the world, but we never forget our roots. As Townsend Farms continues to evolve, we remain a faith and family-centric operation, with a deep integrity for the land and a commitment to provide the highest quality product and service for our customers.
