Read on to learn what's happening on your
local family farms & country attractions
May is for Produce, Flowers, and Wine
Celebrate and Protect the Pollinators

May is the time when many flowers are in full bloom, making way for berries, grapes, and all manner of plants and produce, largely thanks to pollinators. Pollinators as a group are a keystone species.

Oregon's pollinators include bees, beetles, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, wasps, and flies! Any animal that moves pollen from one plant to another is considered a pollinator. They are vital to Oregon agriculture and gardening: they are responsible for the production of many fruits and vegetables.

In Oregon, we have four types of managed bees, according to the Oregon Bee Project's FAQ page:

Fact: Bumble bees are not currently managed in Oregon, though they are in other states.
Another Fact: May 20th is World Bee Day.

We also have seven hummingbird species in Oregon, according to the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife's website:
  • Black-chinned
  • Anna's
  • Costa's
  • Calliope
  • Broad-tailed
  • Rufous
  • Allen's
Photo of a Rufous Hummingbird by David Levinson, via Pexels
Where to learn more about pollinators on the Oregon Farm Loops
Of course, ALL Oregon Farm Loop members benefit from pollinators. Here are a couple of places where you can learn more about pollinator protection.
Durant at Red Ridge Farms (on our Yamhill Farm Loop) has promoted their Support the Pollinators initiatives, which include:
  1. Complete Oregon Bee Project's Land Steward program through the Oregon State University Extension.
  2. Plant over 100 native bee-friendly plants on their property and native Willamette Valley wildflower seeds to help control erosion and promote bee activity.
  3. Participate in and promote "No Mow May." PLEASE NOTE: No Mow May might not be ideal for your situation, according to this article from Oregon State University Extension Service.
  4. Provide an array of perennial pollinator plants in their nursery in September.

Flying Bee Ranch, on our Marion Farm Loop, is a working apiary (bee ranch!) where you can sample and buy artisan honey year-round in their tasting room. Also featured are bee pollen and beeswax products. Learn about beekeeping and maybe start your own apiary.
Photo: Bee and Artichoke by Jennifer Lasseter (2018)
Celebrate Memorial Day with Us!
Memorial Day is Monday, May 29. 2023

Memorial Day Weekend tastes better with local Oregon wine. Participate in private wine tastings on the farms or pick up your favorite bottle of wine to enjoy with your friends and family from home. Please check their websites and Facebook pages before traveling out for more information and updated hours. Finish out May, Oregon Wine Month with good company, good food, and good Oregon wine.
TIP: Want to know what's generally in season in our region? Check out the Seasonality Chart (What's in Season in the Region) on the Oregon Farm Loop website for some information about which fresh foods and plants you can expect to find on the farms and in the farmers' markets. (Thank you OSU Extension Service, Marion County Agritourism Program!)
TIP: Taking fun photos on a farm visit? Tag the Farm Loop you're on on Facebook (www.facebook.com/OregonFarmLoop) and Instagram (@oregonfarmloop)!
Post with hashtags of the loop you’re on:
  • Farmlandia Farm Loop: #farmlandiafl
  • Marion Farm Loop: #marionfl
  • South Clackamas Farm Loop: #southclackamasfl
  • Yamhill Farm Loop: #yamhillfl
Flowers, berries, and other produce are now available along the Oregon Farm Loops. Farms are very unpredictable. Call before you go to ensure your destination is open and able to receive visitors.

Click each Farm Loop logo in this section to visit the Loop's Farm Stops web page for more details about each of the Farm Loop participants, including updated hours and contact info.

Here are the stops that are "in season":
TIP: When you visit, mention that you found the farms, farm stands, farmers' markets, and lodgings because of their membership in the Oregon Farm Loops.
We love recommendations! Do you know of a farm-related business (or an actual farm) that may be a good match for any of our Oregon Farm Loops?
Let us know! FarmLoop@gmail.com!
The following Farm Stops are coming to our upcoming Sunset Loop, including Washington County and destinations west of Portland and east of the Coastal Range. Please welcome them and give them your support!

Lee Farms, on our Farmlandia Loop, will also be listed as part of the Sunset Loop because they are so close to the border.

Are you a potential Sunset Farm Loop member? Please send us an email to let us know: farmloop@gmail.com.


TIP: Check with the farm or market right before you visit to ensure they are open. Farms and farm animals can be unpredictable.
We try our best to note our Farm Loop members' events that are not sold out at the time of newsletter preparation. We strongly recommend subscribing to each member's newsletter (if they have one) to get the news first-hand. These are events happening in late May and early June.
Photo of sheep from Triskelee Farm
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4p–8p
Photo of bouquets courtesy of Maudie's Flower Farm
Adelman Peony Gardens - 2023 Open House, continuing through June 15th, 9a–6p Daily.
Bauman's Farm & Garden Saturday Cider Tasting Tours (21+ activity) Saturdays, 2-3p
GENTLE REMINDER: Bauman's is closed Sundays.
Lady Hill Winery Live Music: Ken Brewer Saturday, May 27th, 2–4p
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Photo of a "Cowlebrity" courtesy of TMK Creamery
Alpacas at Marquam Hill Ranch Ranch Visits, Daily 10a–4p, now through November 30th
Hopkins Demonstration Forest Community Forestry Days, 2nd Saturday of each month
Next CFD: June 10th, 8:30a–4:30p
King's Raven Winery Field & Vines Dinner
Saturday, June 10th 5:30–8:30p
Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm Dig Day Saturday, June 24th, 10a
Photo from Yamhill Vineyards Bed & Breakfast
Country Cottage Alpacas and Cougars Mark Vineyard Farm Open House, Sunday, May 28th
Wings and a Prayer Alpacas Alpaca Treks (by appointment)
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Tulip and her Mom, Plumper Pumpkin Patch & Tree Farm on our UPCOMING Sunset Farm Loop - born sometime around the last week of April. She's their first baby of the Spring season. You may be able to say hi to Tulip this fall!
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We think the little cutie on the right in this photo is a cria (baby alpaca) named Delilah. She lives at Country Cottage Alpacas, on our Yamhill Farm Loop.
 About Us      
 Oregon Farm Loop
NEW! P.O. Box 9444 Brooks, Oregon 97305
This e-newsletter made possible by the generous support of many people & entities:

  • Oregon Agritourism Partnership, an Oregon nonprofit that benefits agritourism farms
  • Oregon State University Extension Service
  • Oregon's Mt Hood Territory
  • Travel Salem
  • Cities/Chambers of Canby, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, Molalla, West Linn, Oregon City and Wilsonville
  • Clackamas and Marion Counties, Marion County Extension 4-H Service District