Uncle Waynes Tomatoes, Inc.

Uncle Waynes Tomatoes, Inc. began over 20 years ago when Carl D. Barney started growing tomato plants from seeds for personal enjoyment. The business was officially registered in 1996 with the State of Oregon, and incorporated in 2009 to protect personal retirement funds and facilitate future ownership transfer. Named after Carl’s late uncle, Wayne Barney, the company honors his legacy of sharing homegrown vegetables with family and friends. Carl's initial success with seed germination led to selling extras to neighbors and co-workers, eventually transforming a hobby into a thriving business. The company's first market was the Farmers Market in Canby, Oregon, which helped expand their customer base.

All plants are grown without the use of herbicides and pesticides, ensuring a clean and healthy product. Over half of the varieties offered are heirloom. The farm's philosophy emphasizes the joy of gardening and the importance of community, with many plant varieties grown based on customer requests and preferences. Carl's experience with the Oregon State Extension Service's Master Gardener program has provided valuable knowledge and connections, further enhancing the farm's practices.

The business is owned and operated by Carl, Kay, and Andrea Barney, with additional seasonal help from friends and family. They offer over 300 varieties of tomatoes, ranging from sweet to super hot peppers like Ghost Pepper and Carolina Reaper. In addition to tomato and pepper plants, they occasionally offer cucumbers, summer squash, basil, and pumpkin plants. Growing aids such as bone meal, lime, fertilizer, Wall-o-Water season extenders, and square folding plant cages are also available. The farm's plant tags, initially handwritten on popsicle sticks, are now professionally printed, thanks to a fellow Master Gardener.