Lane County is home to a number of small farms which are a wonderful source of locally grown fruits and vegetables. But did you know that many of these farms also offer educational and fun seasonal activities for the whole family? Here are a few local farm activities and events to check out this fall:
Doris Ranch living history farm: Located in Springfield, Oregon, The Dorris Ranch is a 250 acre fully functional filbert orchard and is also a public park. The Dorris Ranch offers fall tours beginning mid September through mid November. These tours are conducted by living interpreters in costume, who illustrate and talk about how life was in pioneer times. Dorris Ranch is also open to the public weekdays and weekends from 6 a.m. till dusk for impromptu self-guided tours. The park requires a reservation for and charges admission for group tours, but the self-guided tours are free! Simply pick up a map of the trails, and other useful information at the entrance kiosk and explore the living history farm at your leisure. An upcoming open house event this month allows families to enjoy elements of the guided tour free of charge:
Thistledown farm: Located in Junction City, Thistledown farm offers horse drawn wagon rides out to the pumpkin patch. Pie and delicious ice cream from another local farm (Lochmead Dairy) are available for sale.
Lone Pine Farms: A local favorite, also in Junction City, Lone Pine offers a number of family friendly activities year round, including a petting barn, playground, and a fun “gold mining” play area for kids. The uniquely designed, interactive goat feeding structure is a must see.
This fall, take a draft horse hay ride out to the pumpkin patch or hitch a ride on the “Pumpkin Express” tractor to search for that perfect Halloween pumpkin. Group rates are available. For a free, self-service alternative, guests are welcome to venture out to the pumpkin patch on foot. (9am-5pm)
October 1st-31st, visitors to the farm can get lost in the corn maze. During the day, the maze “non-spooky” and is geared toward children. Friday through Sunday, after dark, the maze becomes haunted, and is open on Halloween night! (see lonepinefarms.com for admission fees and hours)
Hentze Family Farm: A certified Century Farm, Hentze family farm dates back to 1902. Kids can climb on tractors and watch employees using old fashioned canning equipment. There are a variety of farm animals to see, including turkeys and ducks. This farm provides free hay rides! Guests can ride out to the orchard to pick apples or grab a pumpkin for Halloween in the pumpkin patch. Hentze farm also holds a fall festival each year with corn maze, pumpkin carving, pony rides and more.
Northern Lights Christmas Tree Farm: This charming farm in Pleasant Hill, Oregon offers more than just Christmas trees:
Check out Colonial Harvest Days at the farm, which includes an informative ride to the pumpkin patch and a small complementary pumpkin from the patch. Cows, pigs, ducks, turkeys and chickens to see, a pie eating contest and several record breaking giant pumpkins will be on display. The event also features live music and food from local vendors.