Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Iverson.
Hi Emily, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am the third generation of family members on our farm. My grandparents purchased the property in 1950, and we are slowly transitioning from the 2nd to 3rd generation of Iverson’s now. I was born and raised on the family farm. Helping label tulip pots and selling lemonade at a very early age.
We have a family requirement of a four-year degree and two years off the farm to come back and be an owner. I received a degree from OSU in 2020 and returning to the farm in the beginning of 2023. Since then, I oversee all operations in the tourism side of our business including the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival and Summer Flower event. We farm over 1,000 acres of commodity crops, with 40 designated for tulips every year. Our farm brings in over 150,000 people every spring to see our flowers. Over the years we have grown the operation from a small roadside stand in the 80’s to an annual spring celebration. We also started growing tulips in 1974.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Every road comes with bumps. We are very fortunate and proud of how we have worked through challenges. It has not been easy, especially in agriculture. From the tulip side, we have had many low years and shifting to different markets to try to be successful. We started with wholesale bulbs, cut flowers, greenhouse production, u-pick. All failed or contracts were cut. Margins were so thin it was shocking. Since shifting to an experience and opening our farm to the public, we have grown our operation.
2020 was also a very difficult year. We were two weeks from opening our festival. That year was a struggle, but we were able to shift. We opened a senior flower delivery service, delivering to over 100 senior homes that year. It also shifted us to online ticketing. This was a saving grace for us, eliminating traffic, allowing better guest experience, and building a better relationship with our community.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
In 1974, we started growing tulips for Dr. Clyde Homan from Indiana. He had grown tulips in the beautiful Willamette Valley for decades because of our perfect climate. Our season is about two weeks ahead of Holland’s and by growing the tulips here, he could force the tulips to bloom for the Christmas season.
When he retired in 1980, the farm bought his bulb stock and went into the wholesale bulb business. It was a very competitive market with thin margins so wanting to help the farm, the sisters (Barb & Karen) and sisters-in-law started a small retail mail order company called Wooden Shoe Bulb Company to sell direct to the public.
This had limited success until we opened the field to the public in 1985 to sell bulbs and cut flowers. People came, and over the years, more people came to enjoy the beauty.
We now attract people from all across the country and all over the world who want to experience the beauty of the Willamette Valley.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
For us, getting involved in local organizations. We are in close contact with our cities, DMO’s, Farm Bureau, Association of Nurseries, local telcom, fire department, etc.
Our family focuses heavy on giving back and getting involved.
Pricing:
- Tickets online only. Prices range based on the date and time you are looking to visit. Anywhere from $12-25.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://woodenshoe.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woodenshoefarm/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodenshoetulipfarm/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wooden-shoe-tulip-farm-woodburn-3
