Our Story
ABOUT LAUREL VISTA FARM
Laurel Vista farm is Ken & Rick’s place. It has been family-owned and operated for over 100 years. Originally owned by Harvey and Margaret Friedline, they sold it to their son and daughter-in-law, Morris and Carrie Friedline in 1921. They in turn sold it to their son and daughter-in-law, Ray and Thelma Friedline in 1954. The main barn and farmhouse were built at the turn of last century in 1900 and 1901, respectively. Ken Soldano and Rick Stafford purchased the property and took over operations in 1988.
Laurel Vista started as a cooperative contract farm for Snyder of Berlin potato chips. Since then, increased demand for local produce at the retail level has grown dramatically. Many consumers now know that food travels on average 1500-2500 miles from farm to table and as a result, local produce is fresher, safer and more nutritious. And they know that buying local produce helps strengthen the region’s economy, saves local farms from development and protects the environment. Laurel Vista adapted to the changing times to meet these demands from discriminating, conscientious consumers. Green beans first became available in 2002 and onions and table potatoes in 2004.
From its inception, Laurel Vista has been committed to farmland preservation. The land on which Laurel Vista now sits was in danger of being subdivided for residential development because Ray Friedline was having trouble finding a buyer and it sat on the market for several years. When Ken & Rick (and Marian & Rita) bought the farm they were determined to sustain its profitability as a farm rather see the land developed.
The idea of Laurel Vista can be traced back to a hoary evening in the winter of 1987. Ken and Rick were up late one night at Rick and Rita’s cabin at Hidden Valley in the Laurel Highlands. With Marian and Rita snuggled in their beds, Ken and Rick sat down with a case of Genessee 12 Horse Ale and devised a plan that would allow both of them to express their love for the mountains and passion for farmland conservation. They decided to look for a farm.
Both grew up in rural counties — Rick in Greene County and Ken in Fayette. Ken had worked for many years as a master electrician and Rick as a public policy executive, but both had that American-dream restlessness and desire to work for themselves. In their search for a farm, they toured the Friedline potato farm and came upon its panorama of Laurel Ridge, part of which you see above. The search was over. After Marian and Rita saw it, all agreed to buy the farm — and get into a real growing business. Never would this skyline and farmland be given over to development. The name they came up with for the farm was of course inspired by the breathtaking view of Laurel Ridge. This is how Laurel Vista Farm got its name.
Today, Laurel Vista not only grows for the farm operation. It is also the center for food distribution for the Somerset County Mobile Food Bank. Every month, staff and volunteers from the Food Bank join with Laurel Vista owners and staff to receive and re-pack surplus food and distribute it in communities throughout Somerset County.
