Tuomala splits his time between farming, managing farmers' markets

By MATEUSZ PERKOWSKI

Capital Press

PORTLAND -- Peter Tuomala's dream of becoming an organic farmer seemed precluded by a common obstacle: He didn't have much land or the means to acquire it.

As an environmental consultant, Tuomala wanted to put his knowledge to use in farming.

Though he didn't have much property to work with, about 10 years ago Tuomala decided to maximize the agricultural potential of his quarter-acre lot in Portland.

"That year, I couldn't really see the house for the most part," he said. "I had stuff growing off the roof, growing off the walls, growing off the fence."

Neighbors who weren't as inclined toward gardening took notice of Tuomala's copious yields and asked if he could achieve similar abundance on their properties.

They worked out a deal in which Tuomala leased their yards to produce fruits and vegetables, which he'd sell at farmers' markets.

In return, the property owners were compensated with a share of the produce grown on their land.

"I kept them fed," he said. "More than enough for them to eat and give to the neighbors."

Over time, Tuomala began replicating the agreement with other property owners.

He now cultivates more than 80 acres in the Portland metropolitan area and beyond, tending to eight parcels, from Hillsboro in the west to Mosier in the east.

The geographically dispersed nature of his farm does have its disadvantages, particularly in regard to fuel use and fighting traffic.

However, Tuomala is able to benefit from the slight climate differences between the different sites, timing his harvests to have a diversity of crops available throughout the marketing season.

"The microclimates, I take extreme advantage of them," he said.

Tuomala's marketing operation has also been built up from scratch.

In his early days of selling at well-established farmers' markets, he found it difficult to gain a foothold where other producers already had similar products.

So, Tuomala opened his own market in Fairview, Ore., as an outlet for his produce. The concept caught on, so he opened another market in nearby Troutdale, Ore.

Tuomala manages six farmers' markets, with the most recent one opening in the Tanasbourne neighborhood between Hillsboro and Beaverton.

Straddling the dual role of farmer and manager of multiple markets is "unconventional," said Gina Bell, manager of a farmers' market in Forest Grove, Ore., who previously served with Tuomala on the board of directors for the Oregon Farmers' Market Association.

Tuomala does whatever works to make his agricultural venture a success, she said. "More power to him."

As the farming operation has expanded, Tuomala has minimized his consulting business.

Between running the markets and tending to his crops, Tuomala said he doesn't have much free time. He doesn't ever expect to grow rich from his entrepreneurial exploits.

Even so, Tuomala said he gains satisfaction from being his own boss and spending time outdoors, relying on traditional farming methods in a modern landscape.

"I'm not recreating the wheel," he said. "I'm just taking it back to old practices."

Peter Tuomala

Occupation: Farmer and market manager

Family: A fiancee and an adult daughter

Education: Associate degrees in art and agriculture, Cuesta College; bachelor's degree in metallurgy and psychology, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo; master's degree in environmental science, Pennsylvania State University