Spring has sprung, and that means that a lot of the stops on our Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail are opening for the season. That makes it a great time to get out and explore the rural treasures surrounding Albany and Corvallis. We're looking forward to the re-opening of our local farmers markets and farm stands, visiting tasting rooms and favorite restaurants, and browsing gift shops all around the heart of the Willamette Valley.
There's no shortage of sights to discover and places to explore on the Food Trail, but here's four must-see stops you'll definitely want to add to your to-do list while you're out enjoying the spring.
If beautiful wool is what you're after, Iron Water Ranch is your place to visit. They sell wool, raw wool, gorgeous yarns, and more. You can plan a visit, or take classes in various fiber arts. Meet their sheep (and ranch dogs), see their lovely ranch, and learn while you're at it. They have a big event coming up on April 16th, too: April Floof's Day! There'll be raw fleeces, yarns and roving for sale, along with lambs to pet and fiber arts classes to take.
Iron Water Ranch is located at 35179 Riverside Drive SW in Albany. Learn more about them at their website, and on Facebook and Instagram.
Lilliputopia's Farm Store opens for the season in April. Lilliputopia's Farm Store offers 100% local products, specializing in gift items and produce. Browse dozens of different items handcrafted by local artists, while filling up your kitchen with fresh fruits and veggies, eggs, honey, and more. The store is open for business on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays April through October.
Lilliputopia is located at 301 N 10th Street in Monroe. Learn more about them at their website, and on Facebook and Instagram.
Midway Farms' farm store offers an assortment of homemade goodies, like fresh fruits and veggies, homemade jams, salsa, pickles, gluten-free baked goods and more. The farm store is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Midway Farms is the only dedicated gluten-free farm in Oregon, including feeding their animals gluten-free diets. They're also known for their Farm Experience Day Camps, a blast for kids.
Midway Farms is located at 6980 US-20 in Albany. Learn more about them on their website and on Facebook.
The Thyme Garden is open April through August and is home to acres of stunning gardens, which you can tour, and a gift shop packed full of fantastic herbal items like soaps, lotions, and more, as well as herbs and spices, honey, gift boxes, seeds, and tons of other excellent finds. You can also join them for herbal tours and lunches, and one of their three big special events: their Earth Day Celebration, Mother's Day Art in the Garden, and their Fall Salmon Celebration.
The Thyme Garden is located at 20546 Alsea Hwy in Alsea. Learn more about them on their website and on Facebook.
The Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail highlights the agricultural treasures you'll find in Linn and Benton Counties: farms that grow the fresh and delicious produce that fill our restaurants, the hops, grapes, and more that go into our wines, craft beers, and distilleries, the wools that go into clothes, fiber arts, and more. Find farm stands and farmers markets, restaurants that specialize in farm-to-table dining, Oregon wine, craft brews, ranches, and so much more along the Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail.
Photo Credit: Iron Water Ranch in Albany, Oregon, by Kristi Crawford, courtesy the Albany Visitors Center. Keep up with Corvallis news, events and happenings by signing up for our email newsletter.
