S & B Farms

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Gus Burkland, of Swedish ancestry, pioneered his family in the community of Cedardale.  He had made enough money during the Alaska Gold Rush in the late 1890’s to build a new farm home.  This home stands today within a mile of Skagit Valley’s Best Produce, Inc.  His grandson, Richard Smith, began his agricultural career on a full-time basis after completion of college at Washington State University with a degree in Horticulture.  He was employed as a field man for a local frozen foods company and in 1958 began farming as his sole career.  His brother, Robert Burkland, joined in the farming in the late 1960’s, thus beginning Smith and Burkland Farms.

Richard continues the farming partnership with his son, Brad Smith, the fourth generation involved in the farm.  The Smiths now raise around 1,500 acres of crops, which include wheat and spinach seed, in rotation with the potato acreage.  In 1998 the Smiths established a partnership with Morrison Farms to construct a packing facility and sell potatoes through Skagit Valley’s Best Produce.  In 2001 they restructured and formed their new company, S & B Farms Inc.  Brads wife Jennifer handles all of the office duties at the farm and helps with marketing efforts at Skagit Valley’s Best.  The 5th generation of Smiths on the farm consists of Brad’s nephew Carl who has chosen to make farming his career.

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