Meet Stan Urmann
Riley Creek Blueberry Farm
Laclede, Idaho
urmann@wildblue.net
Stan Urmann has an eight-acre blueberry farm
in Laclede, Idaho. Stan and his family founded Riley Creek Farm in 1994
after spending 15 years as a coach and high school teacher in California.
Before Stan and his family moved to Northern
Idaho, he already had his plan together. "I wanted to do blueberries. I knew
the qualities I was looking for in the layout of the land and the soil
content needed for growing berries. I found the land that we have now,
cashed out my retirement, and bought it."
Stan planted his first blueberry bushes in
1994 and had his first harvest in 1997. He started out selling at the
Farmers Market at Sandpoint and at the Kootenai County Farmers Market in
Coeur d'Alene.
Over the years, as he expanded his growing
area, his sales have expanded to include on-farm and u-pick sales as well as
direct to retail outlets in Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, and Sandpoint. Riley
Creek Farm has expanded to include a line of value added products that
include Blueberry jellies, jams, vinegars, and syrups.
Apprentice living quarters available are a
small camp trailer apart from the main house.
