> About The Chamber

> Calendar of Events

> Programs and Services

> Membership

> Governmental Affairs

> Newsletter: Business News

> Networking Events

> Special Events

> For Members Only

Salem Chamber Ag Tour a Hit!

Friday, August 10th, 2007

Presented by:

The Salem Chamber's Ag Tour in the month of August was a new endeavor spearheaded by a group of volunteers that also coordinate the annual SAIF Agri-Business Banquet at the Salem Conference Center. Their goal was to connect businesspeople in town with the incredible food products industry in the Salem area.

There is no doubt eyes were opened with many lessons learned as the group of 45 caravanned around the outskirts of Salem to learn more about local agriculture.

The tour started at E.Z. Orchards in northeast Salem (pictured at right). From there the group headed to Willamette Valley Fruit Company which makes over 500 pies daily with all natural ingredients. The pies can be found at Roth's Fresh Markets, E.Z. Orchards, and specialty shops in the Salem area. The company works with 20 local growers who provide fresh fruits and berries for their pies.

From Willamette Valley Fruit Company, the tour group visited Kuenzi Turf and Nursery which specializes in producing rye grass turf to landscape contractors. They also produce shade trees, shade tree liners, and Japanese maples for markets across the nation. Their product is pictured at left.

NORPAC Foods also opened their doors for a rare tour of their facility off of Madrona Avenue. The company employs over 1,000 people for the wide array of value added products they package and distribute. The company is owned through a cooperative of over 250 grower families based in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. The operation they have in place gets products from the field through the processing and/or freezing process in one of their five plants in less than 4 hours. Their products include vegetable mixes, fruit toppings, pasta, stir fry, and much more under a variety of brand names including Flav-R-Pac and Santiam.

The tour wrapped up with a on-site visit to Bethel Height Vineyard outside of West Salem. Owner Ted Casteel shared his insight into the growing wine industry in the State of Oregon and the incredible amount of capital now needed to sustain a vineyard operation. Bethel Heights wines include a Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir among others.

Pictured at right are Bob Zell, Elaine Harvey, and Kevin Raschko with West Coast Bank. The Bethel Heights Vineyard includes 50 acres of vines displayed in the background.

Tour participants seemed to truly embrace the connection with agriculture as a part of this special event. Here they are in their own words:

- Alex Sheppard, The H Group