The Farmlandia Farm Loop sits at the far northern edge of the Willamette Valley—so far north, in fact, that it butts up against the Portland metro area, offering an unprecedented look at how quickly one can leave the hustle and bustle for a more relaxed pace in the region's farmland.
Luscher Farm offers a variety of educational programs on food and farming to children and adults alike. (Photo courtesy of mthoodterritory.com)
The Farmlandia Farm Loop was created as part of the wider Oregon Farm Loop program, which connects visitors with the state's agricultural production through farm visits, family-run markets, welcoming nurseries, inventive eateries, and celebrated wineries.
Best of all, it's easy to get started: Just download a brochure and map from the official Farmlandia Farm Loop website, see what sounds fun, make sure your desired stops will be open when you plan to visit, and head out.
If you need help making plans, we've put together a guide to the Farmlandia Farm Loop—with tips for enjoying your time and a few ideas for getting started.
The self-guided Farmlandia Farm Loop spans farms, vineyards, nurseries, and more at the far northern edge of the Willamette Valley. Peppers, strawberries, lavender, wine grapes, pumpkins, and Christmas trees are some of the many crops you'll find along the loop.
The Farmlandia Farm Loop spotlights 17 businesses that stretch from the heart of the Willamette Valley and along the Willamette River to the foothills of Mount Hood—so your options for exploring are limited only by your time constraints.
And you're never far from overnight stays in the Willamette Valley or Portland suburbs, so it's easy to make a weekend getaway out of it.
Visitors can mingle with llamas, camel, ponies, and more at Frog Pond Farm Farms.
Pet miniature donkeys, stroll through a colorful garden, and see what's new at the gift shop at Tollen Farm on the outskirts of Wilsonville. (Photo courtesy of mthoodterritory.com)
The Farmlandia Farm Loop stretches across the northern edge of the Willamette Valley and the foothills of Mount Hood. Wilsonville is the largest community along the loop—and where you'll find many of the loop's 17 stops—but other close-by communities include Oregon City, Milwaukie, Tualatin, and Boring.
Driving between Wilsonville (the westernmost community along the loop) and Boring (the easternmost community) takes about 35 minutes; driving from the trail's northern edge in Milwaukie to its southern border outside of Wilsonville, meanwhile, takes about 25 minutes. All that said, several of the loop's stops are heavily concentrated around Wilsonville and Tualatin, making it possible to visit numerous farms, wineries, and more without spending much time in your vehicle.
More than a dozen of the Farmlandia Farm Loop's 17 stops are at working farms, offering visitors an unprecedented look at the many ways these hard-working producers have shaped the Willamette Valley for generations.
Savor the scents of spring and summer at Barn Owl Nursery Herb & Lavender Farm. Since 1982, Barn Owl has grown nearly 100 varieties of lavender—with blooms peaking in June and July; fresh and dried bouquets are available for purchase, as are a variety of lavender products in the farm's gift shop.
Nearby Frog Pond Farm hosts a pumpkin patch and harvest festival, as well as a Christmas tree farm throughout the holiday season; in addition to the seasonal attractions, visitors can get up close to more than 80 animals while enjoying Frog Pond's many activities.
Frog Pond Farm is a popular family stop just outside Wilsonville. (Photo courtesy of mthoodterritory.com)
Triskelee Farm hosts a variety of fun events throughout the spring and summer. (Photo courtesy of mthoodterritory.com)
The family-run Triskelee Farm grows a variety of produce and is home to several animals—including goats, ostriches, sheep, and alpacas. Stop by for some of the farm's special events—like up-close encounters with resident animals, monthly markets with local makers, and farm-based yoga sessions.
Terra Vina Wines, meanwhile, specializes in small-lot red wines, sourced from both the winery's estate and from vineyards throughout the Pacific Northwest. A spot on Terra Vina's spacious lawn, overlooking the winery's vineyard, is one of the area's hottest seats on sunny spring and summer weekends.
If you want to experience the Willamette Valley's love affair with farm-to-table fare up-close, check out The Kitchen at Middleground Farms.
The renowned eatery is housed in a refashioned cattle barn and embraces the idea of "local" in everything it serves: An on-site garden supplies some ingredients, a small herd of goats and more than two-dozen hens supply dairy products and eggs, and nearby growers and producers offer much of the rest.
Make a dinner reservation, sign up for special events, or take a cooking class to learn more about the region's famed culinary scene.
The Kitchen at Middleground Farms hosts beautiful dinners, featuring local wines and fresh farm ingredients.
