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.
Nowhere else in the Willamette Valley are farms and agricultural-oriented business so close to-and intertwined with-the busy Portland suburbs. It's easy, in fact, to exit Interstate 5 in the heart of Wilsonville, a Portland suburb, and find yourself, just minutes later, at a scenic tasting room or working farm.
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 a little help making plans, we've put together a guide to the Farmlandia Farm Loop-with some background on the program, tips for enjoying your time, and a few ideas for getting started.
Visit the Llamas, camel, ponies, and more at Frog Pond Farm Farms, open to the public during the Fall Harvest and Christmas season.
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 just some of the many crops you'll find along the loop.
The Farmlandia Farm Loop spotlights 18 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 accommodations in the Willamette Valley or Portland suburbs, so it's easy to make an overnight trip or weekend getaway out of it.
The Farmlandia Farm Loop covers the northern portion of Clackamas County in the Willamette Valley, with stops ranging from the heart of the valley to the foothills of Mount Hood. Wilsonville is the largest community along the Farmlandia Farm Loop-and where you'll find many of the loop's 18 stops-but other 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 farms, wineries, and more-all without spending much time in your vehicle.
You'll find farm loops and food trails all over the Willamette Valley-but nowhere do honest-to-goodness farms dominate the offerings quite like they do along the Farmlandia Farm Loop. More than a dozen of the loop's 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.
For starters, 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 wide variety of lavender products in the farm's gift shop.
Nearby Frog Pond Farm embraces the chillier seasons with 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 farm activities.
Terra Vina Wines, meanwhile, specializes in small-lot red wines, sourced from both the winery's estate and from vineyards throughout eastern Oregon and Washington. 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.
The Kitchen at Middleground Farms hosts beautiful dinners, featuring local wines and fresh farm ingredients.
And 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, or take a cooking class to learn more about the region's famed culinary scene.
