Columbia Farmers Market

the farmers behind the market

Next Market Date: 
March 30
 
9:00 AM
-
12:00 PM

Wisdom Valley Farms: “Behind every successful farm is a strong woman”

Nestled in the rolling hills north of California in Cooper County, Wisdom Valley Farms is “built on 100 picturesque acres on our family soil, sweat, and love,” Mose Hershberger said.

From a young age, Mose, who was born in Ohio, had a lifelong dream of growing produce.

For some time, Mose had been growing produce using conventional methods, including pesticides, to supply a nearby auction. In 2017, when it was time to renew his pesticide license, he had a change of heart. 

“I realized I didn’t want to do that,” said Mose, who with wife Rachel, has 10 children, four of whom have special needs. “Utilizing natural growing practices has made me very aware that we need to change our current food chain. I wanted to do my part to change that.”

“It was worth the business risk to feed my family all-natural foods and share the bounty with my neighbors, rather than haul my produce to a distant auction as we had done for more than a decade,” he said.

Wisdom Valley offers a cornucopia of options for market customers, including strawberries, tomatoes, lettuce, greens, peaches, apples, melons, green beans, cole crops, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplants, onions, potatoes, okra, peppers, zucchini, winter squash, garlic, flowers, eggs, honey, and non-GMO beef. His cattle are born and raised on the farm without hormones or medications.

Mose credits Rachel for holding the family and farm together.

“It takes a lot for a wife to raise children, keep a home in order, assist with preparations for the farmers market, and see customers at the farm stand five days a week. Of all things I have heard in my life, one phrase rings the truest: ‘Behind every successful man is a strong woman.’ ”

The Wisdom Valley workforce is aided by family and neighbors. “My father and marketing assistant Anita Wyman are a big help, but I have to give the most credit to my wife for making this endeavor work,” Mose said. 

The farm offers a CSA share. He invites customers to discuss the details with him at the market or call him at 573-796-3012 ext. 3.

“Utilizing natural growing practices has made me very aware that we need to change our current food chain. I wanted to do my part to change that.”
-Mose Hershberger, Wisdom Valley Farms
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