Farm Field Trip

In mid-July of this year, Eloisa Organic Farm invited Portland Farmer Market staff and crew, along with other organizations and clients, for a farm tour and luncheon.

Eloisa Organic Farm is a family-operated, immigrant-and women-owned, led by Virginia Herrera, her husband, Zenon, and children. After working as farmworkers on the land for Spring Hill Organic Farm over two decades, Virginia and her family received the opportunity to buy the land and equipment once the previous owners retired in 2019. Thus, they became farm owners, and Eloisa Organic Farm was born, honoring the Matriarch of the family and Virginia’s mother who raised nine children alone after Virginia’s father passed away when she was six years old. The farm produces certified organic vegetables for their CSA program, farmers markets, and wholesale partners, like restaurants and other organizations on their 15 acres of land. They have been a vendor at PSU Farmers Market since 2020 and then became a year-round vendor in 2023.

Regenerative Organic Practices on the Farm

Joaquin, Virginia’s son, who manages their booth on Saturdays at the PSU market, led the tour along with her. We stopped first at their coveted specialty peppers. Their chile peppers are covered in a black netting to help with shade. Netting practices are common amongst farmers to protect and maintain their plants from the elements. The farm produces a plethora of peppers, but their favorite are their Oaxaca varieties. For Virginia and her farm, it is important to grow peppers from their culture as it preserves their cultural traditions while sharing and supporting their community at the same time.

Joaquin, Virginia’s son, showing tour group one of their fields

Chile pepper plants covered with black netting

Walking past some sprouting fennel, leeks, and some stalks of corn, we made our way to their tunnels. High tunnels protect from seasonal effects and pests while encouraging healthy soil practices that can extend farming capabilities year-round. This is the case for Eloisa, as the numerous tunnels allow for an abundance of produce to be grown all year-round. From purple sprouting broccoli and sugar snap peas in the Spring, to eggplants and okra in the Summer, to delicata squash and radicchio in the Fall and Winter.

We then strolled through rows of their sweet peppers of various colors, shapes, and sizes. One of the next tunnels housed their precious heirloom tomatoes as well as a personal favorite, sungolds. We were fortunate to snack on some juicy tomatoes right off the vine; a delectable experience!

Another regenerative technique utilized by the farm is companion planting. This is a well-known method of pairing different plants, such as a vegetable and a herb, together to support and protect the growth of the plants. As shown in the images below, in one of their tunnels, there are peppers and chamomile together, and basil and squash paired in another.

An example of companion planting with basil and squash plants together

Another tunnel pairing a pepper plant with chamomile

After exploring more peppers and tunnels, Virginia also highlighted some of the specialized tools and equipment that their workers use in the fields to maximize efficiency and adaptability. Here, she is demonstrating a mechanical transplanter that ensures seedlings are planted properly and directly. It is a versatile machine allowing for different needs such as plowing, hauling, or tilling.

Virginia demonstrating transplanter equipment

We then made our way to their fields. It was here that one could see how organized and expansive their farming operation really is, with bountiful leafy greens and vegetables spread out neatly in rows across the land. Out in the fields, there were stalks of kale, corn, and bunches of lettuce as far as the eye could see. We ventured a little further on the trail, trying to sneak a peek at the Willamette River that runs along their land, but with warm sun rays and hungry bellies, we turned back to finish off the tour.

Overlooking plants in the fields with tunnels in the background

Takeaways

Having the opportunity to visit the farm and learn more about their operation and organic produce was a true privilege. The scale of their farm and practices put a lot into perspective of the passion, quality, and cost behind their labor that makes their produce taste so good!

For Virginia and her family, they take pride in sharing their hard work and culture with community members.

Coming up

Heading into the fall season, Eloisa plans to have at market and for their CSAs squash, radicchio, carrots, and more. Below is where you can find them at the farmers markets in the fall and winter:

PSU: Saturdays, year-round
Hollywood: Every Saturday, April – December 23, 2026 ; Saturdays: 1st & 3rd Saturdays January – March 2027
Montavilla: Every Sunday, May – November 2026

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