Salem may be the largest city in the Willamette Valley, but you don't need to travel far to experience its deep roots as an agricultural hub in the region. Just outside the city, for instance, you'll find orchards growing apples and peaches, rolling hillsides covered in wine grapes, fields of juicy berries, and farms that provide fresh, seasonal produce to local restaurants.
Willamette Valley Vineyards hosts a popular tasting room just south of Salem.
You can experience this agriculture in a variety of fun ways along the 30-stop Marion Farm Loop. The loop, part of the larger Oregon Farm Loop project, aims to connect visitors with the food they enjoy through farm tours, tastings, and other outings that can't be enjoyed just anywhere.
So after you've downloaded a brochure from the loop's official website, dig deeper into the heart of the Willamette Valley with this overview of the self-guided Marion Farm Loop.
The self-guided Marion Farm Loop is made up of 30 farms, markets, orchards, cafes, and even an outdoor beer garden—all in the heart of the Willamette Valley. It was crafted to showcase the many ways in which agriculture is central to our region's food scene—from the farms where ingredients are grown to the restaurants, wineries, brewpubs, and markets where you can enjoy the literal fruits of their labor.
Here are a few ideas for how to plan your trip:
TopWire Hop Project is a seasonal outdoor beer garden that sits in a hop farm near Woodburn.
Bauman's Farm & Garden pours award-winning cider, sells fresh produce, hosts an on-site bakery, and more.
The Marion Farm Loop sits entirely within Marion County, extending from the banks of the Willamette River in the north to forested farmlands—and the very western edge of the Cascade Foothills—in the south.
Salem and Keizer are the biggest cities within the loop, but other communities along the way include Aumsville, Stayton, Sublimity, Silverton, Woodburn, and Aurora.
The loop heads through Salem but otherwise follows backroads and byways that gently curve through orchards and farmland. The only traffic jam you'll encounter on these roads is when you get stuck behind a tractor.
Loading LoadingAgriculture connects us with the foods and beverages we love so much—so get a feel for how it all begins at working farms along the loop.
Part of what makes the Marion Farm Loop so special is the sheer variety of businesses that welcome visitors and showcase the region.
Flying Bee Ranch hosts Oregon's only honey tasting rooms—and offers flights if visitors would like to sample several varieties.
Learn about visiting local farms, perusing farmers markets, and finding other fun ways to mingle with the Willamette Valley's agricultural delights.
Learn about the many crops that grow across the Willamette Valley, when they're in season, where to find them.
Get the skinny on the many farm loops and food trails that crisscross the Willamette Valley and showcase its rich agricultural heritage.
