U-Pick Farms in Eugene

Editor’s Note: A short drive into the countyside in just about any direction from Eugene or Springfield will yield one or more home grown, often organically grown, produce farms, but a very short drive north on River Road seems to award an inordinate number of farms from which to choose.

There is absolutely no shortage of Lane County U-Pick farms in Eugene and surrounding areas.  The focus of this article is to tell you how to find and contact the U-Pick farms located in or near Eugene so that a short drive will yield wonderful fresh fruit and memories in the making.

There are a couple of Blueberry U-Pick farms worth mentioning as the Blueberry Season has been affected by the weather.  The season on a typical year started over a month ago, but the blueberries this year are slow to turn color and ripen.  Today is the perfect time for finding large blueberries just coming into their color.  In Eugene, there are two farms for Blueberries:

• Green Hill Aire Blueberry Farm (Organic Produce Available) located at 28794 Hillaire St..  Green Hill Aire can be contacted by calling (541) 688-8276 or sending an email to nhunsdon@comcast.net
• Grenon’s Blueberries, located at 89475 Fir Butte Rd. Eugene, OR 97402. (Call this number for details (541) 689-1399).
• Adkins Heritage Farm, Seavey Loop Road (follow the signs); 8-5 M-Sat. (541) 579-5431 is another very picturesque farm where you can pick blueberries for about $1.50 per pound.

Besides getting a great deal on berries, you will also find fresh air and beautiful surroundings when you venture out into this Willamette Valley Berry field.
A resource for finding U-Pick farms in your area can be found at http://www.pickyourown.org/ORsw.htm.

Blueberries are not the only fruit out there for the picking. There are many neighborhood locations where you can pick wild blackberries.  These wild berries are much better in a pie then in the stomach of a bird so don’t let them go to waste.  Often, all you have to do is look on the side of the road to find these wild, fruit producing, and land-owner frustration generating vines. Be careful when you do the wild-berry picking as holes in the ground and other hazards are often underneath the vines.  Always watch out for cars too as some of the best picking spots can be found along busy roadsides where traffic can be hazardous.
All you need to do is figure out what you want to pick and this site will provide you with directions and the contact information you need so all your questions can be answered before you hop in the car.  There are long listings of farms throughout South West Oregon, keeping the focus on Eugene limits your options a little.  Many of the u-pick farms are located in the surrounding areas of Eugene.

As August moves swiftly by, the next big U-Pick growing season is just around the corner.  What kid doesn’t love to go pick out their own pumpkin?  The farms in Eugene for pumpkin picking come packed with tractor rides and corn mazes.  Currently, if you want to get outdoors and pick something for the fun of it, you will find Lone Pine Farms has something for every member of the family.  Moms can pick flowers while the the kids can enjoy the petting zoo.  Part of the day can then be spent planning for the kid’s own personal u-pick outing for Halloween where pumpkins and funny shaped gourds will be plenty.  Lone Pine Farms is located at 91909 River Road.  Their phone number is  541-688-4389.

If you want something organic, then you also live in the right place.  There are over 350 organic farms in Oregon.  You might not be able to pick your own produce or products from these farms, but you certainly will be supporting a growing industry where healthy and chemical free produce and livestock is the focus.

U-Pick farms in Eugene are plentiful and fun to visit.  If you have a particular favorite fruit, it would be best to know the growing season in advance.  When the season nears, start your search for the closest farm near you.  You won’t be disappointed or upset to find that a day’s outing will produce some perfect produce for fresh homemade pies or jams, or a memorable day for you and your family.

Written by Alison Silveria for DiscoverEugene.com

————————————————————————————–

Lane County U-pick Farms

Courtesy of pickyourown.org:

* Harry’s Berries – Wide variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, blueberries, corn (sweet), melons, strawberries,
90876 Coburg Rd, Eugene, OR 97408. Phone: 541-344-0742. Open: Strawberries: Open Monday through Saturday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm June 7 through June 28; Blueberries: Open Monday through Sunday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm July 1 through July 25; Corn, Watermelon, Canteloupe: Open Monday through Sunday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm August 1 through September 30. Directions: One quarter mile south of Coburg, Oregon on Coburg Road. Watch for the big red strawberry sign that reads: Harry’s Berries. Strawberries: June 7 to 28; Blueberries: July 1 pm to 25; Corn: August 1 pm to September 30; Watermelon and Canteloupe August 15 pm to September 15. Payment: Cash, Check. Watermelon, Canteloupe. (ADDED: July 15, 2009)
* Herrick Farms – Wide variety of seasonal, locally grown fruits and vegetables, Indoor market, Preserves, jams, jellies, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, school tours
88088 Millican Rd, Springfield, OR 97478. Phone: 541-741-1046. Email: vpjbears@qcom. Open: Monday – Sunday 9 am to 6pm. Directions: we are located 4 miles east of Springfield, Oregon on Highway 126. We open the first of May and close in mid December. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard. Also grow bedding plants, planters and hanging baskets. We do pumpkin patch rides and school tours in October. (ADDED: March 10, 2010)
* Steely Acres – No pesticides are used, blueberries, gift shop, restrooms
96378 Adams Lane, Junction City, OR 97448. Phone: 541-998-1890. Email: jasindustrial@uwol.net. Open: Every day from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm during picking season. Directions: Two miles north of Junction City, Oregon off of Highway 99 East. Turn west on Noraton Road, proceed to 2 mile marker and turn right on Adams Lane. First driveway on left. Click here for a map and directions. Blueberries: Mid June to Mid July; We are open almost every day during the picking season from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Please call for times and availability. We do not use pesticides on the crops. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard. (ADDED: July 11, 2010)

List your Pick-Your-Own Farm on our site using this form. Not only will we add your farm to this list, we will include your farm in our 2011 Business Directory – for free.