Farmers Markets & Farm Loops Champion Everything Local

Have you looked outside lately? The sun is here and that means everything in Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory is drinking up all the rays and sprouting, springing and blossoming in abundance, fueling the opening of farmers markets throughout The Territory.

For the best local pantry goods, freshest veggies and sweetest fruits straight from the source, your best move is to go to one of our farmers markets and taste the bounty. With so many local products unique to the individual communities, each market is able to showcase everything that makes its town special. The farmers lift each other up, and it shows in the camaraderie among the producers at each market, which elevates everyone's game, making for the best attendee experience. Plus there seems to be one open almost every day of the week, so you can adorn your table with a bouquet of fragrant flowers and prepare a scrumptious local meal for your friends and family, making for a memorable dining experience from farm to fork.

Take it a step further and sample the good life straight from the farm... literally. The sun's warm rays draw out farm animals to frolic, vineyards buds to break and flowers to burst into vibrant colors. Because this is such an enriching atmosphere to experience, farmers joined together to form farm loops, self-guided routes along which visitors can learn about where their food and fiber come from, connecting to a simpler life.

There are a pair of farm loops in The Territory, both with a great selection of farms, ranches, farm stands, vineyards and country events. The South Clackamas Farm Loop includes 10 stops in Canby and Molalla. Well-known stops include Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, Swan Island Dahlias and Fir Point Farms & Country Grains Store, Alpacas at Marquam Hill Ranch and wineries like Christopher Bridge and Villa Catalana Cellars.

Head just outside of southeast Portland into the Wilsonville and West Linn area to experience the Farmlandia Farm Loop. Its 15 stops include a specialty nursery, Bosky Dell Natives, an organic farm co-op complete with on-farm grocery store, Our Table Cooperative, and The Kitchen at Middleground Farms, a cooking school using only local ingredients.

So get your local on and enjoy one, or many, of The Territory's championing businesses of all things homegrown.