Pride of the Valley

Elmer Utecht has been farming and selling produce to local grocery stores for decades and employees at Yoke’s Fresh Market feel it’s time Utecht received the proper recognition for his hard work.

The Spokane Valley Yoke’s, 15111 E. Sprague Ave., will hold a “tribute” to Utecht on Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The tribute to Utecht will be an opportunity for the Veradale resident to connect with his family and friends, and for Yoke’s employees to thank him for his commitment to quality farming.

Utecht has been farming for much of his life.

“Well, since I was about 14, so about 66 years,” he said.

He’s unable to pin down exactly what has kept him farming for so long. “I just like farming, really,” he said.

Part of his lengthy involvement can probably be attributed to family ties. “My dad farmed, my brothers farmed, and I farm. And I’ve got two boys that farm; one grandson,” he said.

While he has sold produce to other local grocery stores, Utecht says he has been selling to Yoke’s for about 15 years.

For Yoke’s produce manager Doug Ackerman, buying produce from Utecht has been a positive experience. Utecht currently sells Yoke’s cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes and green beans, although in the past he grew and sold a much wider variety.

“His product is extremely high quality,” Ackerman said. “His prices are extremely reasonable.

Utecht affirms the quality of his produce. “I sell local produce … without anything on it,” he said.

For Ackerman, Utecht’s character is as high-quality as the vegetables he sells; he describes Utecht as a “fun, real values-oriented guy.”

“His integrity is very high,” Ackerman said.

Utecht, while still farming and selling, has slowed down some over the years.

“I just do vegetables,” he said. “I’m kind of retired.”