Producer

Shortly after arriving from Italy in the early 1920s, Giuseppe and Paul Montecucco began farming on 20 acres in the Parkrose neighborhood of Portland. Now located further south in the Willamette Valley, nestled along the Willamette River in Canby, OR, Jason Montecucco and his two brothers are the 4th generation to run this legacy farm. Despite the farm’s historical roots, Jason and his brothers work diligently to evolve with the industry.

Jason’s experience runs as deep - he's grown rhubarb and roots on the fertile fields of Montecucco for over 20 years. He knows every contour of his land and every secret the soil holds. Sustainability and organic farming practices are at the core of Jason’s philosophy, and he uses crop rotation, cover cropping and composting to maintain soil vitality and health. Root vegetables absorb nutrients from the soil, fortifying them as some of the heartiest, healthiest foods you can find in the fall.

Spring is Montecucco’s annual rhubarb harvest -- once spring temperatures hit 40°F+, this perennial crop breaks dormancy and begins to grow, producing long, ruby-hued stalks, and acres of this hardy plant thrive in the farm’s sandy loam. In addition to Montecucco’s rich soil, the region’s maritime-like climate provides just the right balance of rain, sun and mild weather. Northwest-grown rhubarb is known for being the best due to colder nights which makes for redder stalks and a sweeter flavor.