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Bergman Orchards 4562 East Bayshore Rd Port Clinton , OH 43452 (419) 734-4272
Left: Gail Bergman and her father, John, receive a proclamation from Ohio Agriculture Director Fred Dailey for their participation in the department's OHIO PROUD media tour. |
Background. John Bergman started a family tradition in 1946 when he opened his first farm market with a goal to provide quality fruits and vegetables to customers. Today, this tradition has grown to include three farm markets, which feature 550 acres of fruits, vegetables and other crops, run by members of the family. Currently, the orchard includes 80 acres of fruit crops including apples, peaches, plums, and cherries and 125 acres of vegetables such as cabbage, cantaloupe, sweet corn, pumpkins, and watermelons.
Ag Advancement. Since 1946 several things on the farm have changed to satisfy the needs of customers. The number of people who can fruits and vegetables has decreased dramatically, and home gardening has also dwindled. The Bergmans know customers want products that are one step away from being ready to eat. They have started selling more harvested and cleaned products, versus the customer picking their own. Also, they are always looking for new varieties of peaches to grow and have started using a drip irrigation system to improve the taste and quality.
Benefit to the farm. Always looking for ways to better serve the customers has allowed the Bergmans to continue something that was started over a half a century ago. By implementing drip irrigation and planting the latest varieties of fruits and vegetables, the Bergmans market produce is ripe with flavor.
Farming Philosophy. Bergman Orchards' philosophy on farming is to provide a quality product to the customer.
Benefits to the community. Bergman Orchards is a place for the community. Customers enjoy the fact that they can come back year after year and week after week to the same faces and receive a consistent product. Many local customers visit the farm market as a source of therapy, a place to relax and enjoy friendly conversation. The family also provides educational tours to children in the area.
Quotable Quote. “We love what we do, plain and simple.” – Gail Bergman
This Ag Advancements profile was written by Lucy Bowen.