Lyle and Ruthie McAlexander, Mt. View Orchards Inc.,
Parkdale

In 2008, Lyle and Ruthie McAlexander celebrated their 34th anniversary of life on a farm in the beautiful Hood River Valley.

Ruthie was born and raised on a farm near the couple’s current location in Parkdale. Lyle, however, was born in Santa Monica, Calif. When he was very young, his family moved up north to Oregon, first to Eugene and later to Hood River.

It was in high school in Hood River that the couple first met. Later they went to college at the University of Oregon and then taught school for seven years in Springfield. But neither of them could forget the bucolic farmland of the Hood River Valley.

So in 1974, the couple decided to leave Springfield and purchase a farm only miles from Ruthie’s childhood home. In that time, the McAlexnaders have raised a veritable cornucopia of delicious produce.

Thirty varieties of pears and apples are grown in the farm’s orchards, as well as prunes, pumpkins, corn, and grapes. The McAlexanders have grown their business to tap into the increased consumer interest of buying food directly from the people that produced it. Today the farm has a stand where visitors driving along the famed Fruit Loop can purchase homemade jams, honey, cider, dried fruit, fudge, and pie.

The McAlexanders raised four children, all of which have established their adult lives off of the farm. Though who will be the next generation to take over the family farm is uncertain for now, the McAlexanders and their operation in the Hood River Valley are still going strong after 34 years of “fruitful” productivity.

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These are authentic stories from real farmers.  Any editorial content does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of the Agri-Business Council of Oregon or our members.