UNION COUNTY — Small family farms in Union County have felt the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, in good and bad ways. Although day-to-day operations remain mostly unchanged, many farms reported adapting sales and customer interactions to fit with the coronavirus safety mandates and maintain business.

Adjusting to a new normal in farming

For Evergreen Family Farms at 62402 Evergreen Road, La Grande, the pandemic has had varied effects. Although the business has lost sales from festivals and from visitors, owner Sarah Fischer said the La Grande Farmers Market and the farm’s subscription boxes have helped keep the operating going.

“We are adapting and changing our operations while also keeping it financially successful,” Fischer said. “The good news is the pandemic has renewed and sparked interest in locally grown food as a safer option.”

Fischer said 40 people have signed up to have a box of produce delivered to their home, or available for pick up at the farm. She said the boxes provide a safe way to get good food without going to the grocery store.

The Platz Family Farm at 1624 N. First St. in Union has made adjustments to keep employees safe. Becky Platz, co-owner of the farm, said the pandemic has improved business as more people want to can and freeze their food. The farm also provides fresh fruits and vegetables that employees pick.

“When we have to be close together to pick, we wear masks,” Platz said. “But the beauty of being outdoors is it is easier to stay farther apart.”

Platz said the pandemic has also prompted her to offer more services, including delivery and pick-up options.

“With the pandemic, we made adjustments,” Platz said. “We had to be creative and keep going, but in a way so everyone is still safe.”

Nella Mae’s farmstand at 1006 Antlers Lane in Cove remains open, and employees are doing everything they can to stay safe while they pick up produce.

“I think people feel safe going to a stand,” owner Nella Mae Parks said. “You only have one person there at a time usually, and it can be self-serve.”

The family of farmers and a few employees all wear masks while out picking, and Parks closed the farm to visitors as an added precaution.

“I value my employees and I want them to feel safe,” Parks said. “We reviewed and increased our sanitation regime. We asked what more could we do to make this place safer for everyone, including the community.”

Parks said around 30% of her sales are to local restaurants, but because the restaurants closed at the start of the pandemic she has lost some revenue. Every year, Parks said, a bunch of basil is planted so restaurants can make plenty of pesto. This year, Parks has posted tutorial videos on the farm’s Facebook page to help get people interested in cooking at home, including making her own pesto recipe video.

“It has been difficult, and the pandemic has had an impact on sales,” Parks said. “But I’ve hustled and tried to sell all of the produce I was expecting to sell. We are figuring out other avenues to get our food to people.”

It is not all good news

Folly Farms at 67364 Squire Loop in Cove lost many of its spring and summer visitors, according to co-owner Cindy Edwards. Sales were also down as festivals were canceled.

“Without the festivals, sales are lower than last year,” Edwards said. “Until a few weeks ago, we had zero visitors, which is unusual.”

Parks said farmers market sales at her booth are also down because people still don’t feel comfortable going to the market yet.

Don Boothman, of Boothman Ranch near Hot Lake Lane in La Grande, said his ranch has not done as well in the pandemic as some. Boothman said prices have dropped for produce because people aren’t buying directly from the farm as often as in past years.

Farmers said it is too early in the season to determine how much the pandemic has financially impacted them for certain. Fischer said the unique nature of this year will make comparing previous years difficult.

However, all of the farmers agreed this year has left its mark on the industry.