Farming Through the Generations at Orchard View

The Columbia River Gorge is known as the end of the Oregon Trail. In the 1800's, pioneers braved the Blue Mountains to reach the magnificent river gorge, where ideal temperatures, waterfalls and fertile soils created a haven in the west. Ultimately, many of the emigrants would continue on their journey, loading their wagons onto rafts or barges headed for the Willamette Valley.

In 1923, however, when Walter and Mabel Bailey happened across the site that would become Orchard View Farms, they knew no further searching was required. They would farm the land and raise generations of the Bailey family right there, with Mount Hood on the horizon, quietly standing watch over the family's growth and prosperity.

Prior to 1940, Walter's son Don and his wife Edwina joined the family business, and eventually their sons Bob, Ken, Tom and Jon would also take an active roll on the family farm. With the generations working together, planted acreage grew to 1,600 acres by the year 2006. As the younger generations take on leadership roles in the business, Edwina Bailey watches Orchard View continue to grow and prosper, and remains a shareholder in the business.