Since 1987, Gathering Together Farm in Philomath, Oregon, has been growing a seemingly endless variety of vegetables, says Tom Hopkins, Produce Field Merchandiser for Market of Choice. “We grow 60 to 70 different types of vegetables,” says Joey Staub, Farm Manager at Gathering Together Farm. “That’s roughly 200 to 300 varieties of those vegetables.” Among the many vegetables grown at Gathering Together Farm are carrots, beets, leeks, tomatoes, herbs, cucumbers, fava beans, garlic, broccoli and many different types of salad greens. “We are known for the diversity of our production,” says farm co-owner John Eveland. “Diversity to the point of chaos sometimes.” Gathering Together Farm focuses on supporting the local community and providing folks with the freshest possible product, getting its food from the farm to the consumer in the shortest possible window of time.

You might say business is mushrooming at The Mushroomery farm in the foothills of the Cascades in Lebanon, Oregon. Since Jennifer Macone and Dustin Olsen started their business in 2004, they’ve seen interest grow in mushrooms and their company’s wide variety of tasty morsels. “Dustin and I met through the love of mushrooms,” Jennifer says. “When we started our farm, mushrooms weren’t being cultivated as much for the varieties we’re growing, so I wanted to provide those to people because I consider them not only delicious, but extremely healthy.” Mushrooms are prized not only for a rich, earthy flavor that many enjoy but for their medicinal properties, as well. They’re also a good source of B vitamins, and studies have shown they have anti-inflammatory effects.