Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Gonzales.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hiatt Farm was first started by my parents, Trish and Mark Hiatt. I grew up on this farm where we ran a u-pick blueberry field for many, many years as well as raising a small group of beef cattle and chickens for eggs. Over time Trish’s love of baking and preserving grew into a small farmstand where our current building sits. They designed and built much of the bakery on their own and created the foundation of what is now Hiatt Farm Bakery. I was able to come and help with jams and other processes during those early days. Josh, my husband and co-owner, was able to help with construction.
Covid (march 2020) is when we really took a leap and began seeing the farmstand as a full time business. We had 3 small children at the time (4 year old Tanner and 1 year old twins Hattie and Madeline) and we are so thankful that we were able to move closer to family and the farm. Josh had worked in aerospace manufacturing for several years and was laid off due to covid. Our son had just undergone surgery for a brain tumor that March and we were navigating many challenges due to his operation, along with 2 toddlers. Being able to work with family, and as a family, to build the foundation of this business has been a wonderful experience for us and we are so thankful for the support of our neighbors and customers.
We started with the delicious fresh fruit pies, savory hand pies, Jams and our top sellers cinnamon rolls that began the farm. We planted our high tunnel with row crops of tomatoes, squash, hot peppers and more. We joined the Philomath Farmer’s Market in its first year and it has become a highlight of each season to spend Sundays with our fellow farmers and community members in town. We have relied on word of mouth and donations to local businesses and events to promote our business and have kept the core value of building community relationships at the front and center. Several groups of cyclists, including the Mid-Valley Bike Club have made our stand a weekly destination for their rides and our friends further south at the Bellfountain Country Store stop by on Saturdays to pick up cinnamon rolls to sell at their store. We Began selling our beef and eggs in the farmstand and love to be a source for neighbors to sell their fresh flowers, produce and use those ingredients in seasonal baked goods.
This year has been yet another wonderful spring of growth, opportunity and change for the farm. We have been able to add more outdoor seating, lawn games, increase our catering options and employ more people. We look forward to what comes to Hiatt Farm in the future.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
During the past 7 years that we have been able to work the farm as our full time jobs there have been years of trial and error for planting crops, having sufficient water and purchasing cattle at record prices. Throughout all of these challenges we have had consistent support from our community. We have settled into a dynamic where we are able to be creative and try new things as well as provide a solid foundation for quality ingredients and products.
Personally the flexibility the business offers is invaluable to our us as we navigate raising our family.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Hiatt Farm is a family owned farmstand and bakery in the Willamette Valley. We are open seasonally and specialize in using local ingredients to create made from scratch baked goods. We make all our own offerings in house and collaborate with local farmers and producers to promote the economy. We are known for our giant sweet rolls in several flavors (classic cinnamon rolls, orange rolls, pecan rolls and even more seasonal flavors). We use real, fresh ingredients four our savory hand pies and pot pies. We handmake all of our fruit pies with fresh fruit during its growing season. We are proud of our commitment to the community and providing a place for people in the country to gather with their neighbors, sell their goods and feel connection. We are currently open seasonally Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from April-December.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We love to meet our neighbors! If you have produce to sell, artwork to display or an event to promote we are eager to work together. Think of us for catering on your next event, we offer options for many settings. Most importantly spread the word, we love to hear people who come out for the first time because their friend, neighbor, librarian, or acquaintance told them about Hiatt Farm.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hiattfarm.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiatt_farm/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HiattFarm
