Deep roots.
A growing story.
Our story brings together generations of the Parke family, a move south, and a lasting connection to farming in Dover, Florida.
From one generation
to the next.
Before Florida · Pennsylvania roots
The Parke family’s farming story includes Willow Tree Farm in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, where the family focused on dairy and vegetable farming.
1957 · A new beginning in Dover
Robert Elmore Parke, Sr., and Robert Elmore “Roy” Parke, Jr., started Parkesdale Farms in Dover, Florida. Warmer weather and Central Florida’s sandy soil offered a new home for growing vegetables and strawberries.
Across generations · A family operation
The farm passed through the family, including Roy’s sons Robert H. “Bobby” and Gary Roy Parke, and later Bobby and Peggy Parke. Their children continued the family business across operations, finance, food safety, and compliance.
Today · Family, farming, and fresh produce
Parkesdale Farms and Parkesdale Farms Packing & Cooling remain family-owned and operated, with products sold across the USA and Canada through our partners.
A farm.
A market.
One family.
Parkesdale Market is part of our family. Our farm and cooling facility supply the market with strawberries and other fruits and vegetables.
Visit Parkesdale Market ↗Our History
Parkesdale Farms, Inc. was started in 1957 in Dover, Florida by Robert Elmore Parke, Sr., and Robert Elmore “Roy” Parke, Jr. The father and son duo moved from Northern Ireland during the “Potato Famine” as vegetable farmers through Ellis Island in the early 1920’s, planting roots in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Willow Tree Farm was the original farm name in Pennsylvania where the Parke Farmers focused on dairy and vegetable farming. With cold winters, these Irish immigrants began looking for warmer farming weather and ventured down to the Central Florida area where the temperature and sand was just right for vegetables and strawberries to be grown.
Over the past 63 years, Roy’s family grew and the land and farm changed hands to his son’s, Robert H. “Bobby” and Gary Roy Parke, and eventually to Bobby and Peggy Parke, the current owners. Bobby and Peggy’s children are continuing the family business with Erin Parke Watson as the Director of Food Safety and Compliance, Kristen Parke Hitchcock as the Director of Finance and Business Development, and Robert Matthew “Matt” Parke as the Director of Operations.
