Crop, collaborate and listen

By Barbara B. Covell

For the TODAY

If you are looking for something different on the Oregon Coast, make plans to attend this year’s Yachats River Valley Farm Tour on Saturday, Aug. 14. Now in its 11th year, the farm tour captures the imagination with luscious scenery and a variety of fresh organic products.

Amid a rolling, pastoral setting mere miles from the Pacific Ocean, each of the eight participating farms offers their unique brand of country hospitality. It is a way to introduce children to a rural lifestyle not often found in beach communities.

The tour originated in 2010 by Catherine Lucido of Forks Farm, located at the fork of North and South River Roads.

“It is a way for us to share our life’s work in a casual setting that’s free, fun and informative,” Lucido said.

It’s a guarantee that the jaw-dropping images of elk, deer, birds and cattle will thrill city dwellers and coasties out for this one-day, self-guided tour. The visual delight in seeing wildlife within their native habitats promises a memorable experience.

Some of the farms offer petting and feeding opportunities, captivating children of all ages. Starshine Ranch features llamas, alpacas and peacocks, who put on a riveting and colorful display. “People really want to know more about the animals,” said the farm’s owner, Elaine McNichols.

Lucido says there are some essentials when planning your farm tour.

“Probably most important is to bring water. While some locations may offer beverages, it is always essential to bring extra water with you,” she said. “The tour is upriver, so the temperatures will be much warmer than the coast. Some farms will offer food and baked goods for sale, but things sell out quickly. It is a good idea to bring food with you. There will be plenty of shaded picnic areas to enjoy in addition to lovely Keller Creek Park at the far end of the South Fork. Another reminder is to wear sunscreen, as there will not be a marine layer upriver. Try to tour the greenhouses early in the day because they warm up quickly. Lastly, some of the farms do not accept debit or credit cards; plan on bringing cash with you.”

Each participating farm will have balloons or clearly marked signage on Yachats River Road.

“We learned how important it is to attract sightseers, as there is so much to see,” Lucido said.

The locations range from Milepost 1 to Milepost 10 on the South Fork. There will be a public porta-potty at Forks Farm, milepost 7, at the North/South Forks intersection.

Whether you are looking for edible flowers, succulents, berries, jam, honey, herbs, grass-fed meats, eggs or vegetables, the tour will satisfy every palate, with farmers on hand to answer questions and showcase their operations.

“The whole idea is to introduce visitors to country living by the coast,” Lucido said.

A one-and-a-half-mile side trip from Forks Farm features the North Forks Covered Bridge (est. 1938) which spans the far northern point of the Yachats River. The lush trees provide a natural canopy for this historic landmark.

While many of the farms are locally owned, some farmers emigrated from other locations and livelihoods. Many feature homes that are self-built with funds generated by livestock. Tax incentives are available with timber conservation deferrals and exclusive farm use on properties over seven acres.

Whether you are just out for a scenic drive or are shopping for plants or produce, the Yachats River Farm Tour will offer a glimpse into a road less travelled.

Farms will be open to the public from 10 am to 4 pm. For more information and a map of locations, go to www.yachats.org/events or www.forksfarm.com. Maps are also available at the Yachats Visitors Center.

This year’s Farm Tour features the following locations:

Seeds of Oregon/K & R Beef: Vegetables, plants, eggs, grass-fed beef.

Dragonfly Farm: Eggs, tomatoes, vegetables.

Forks Farm: Cut flowers, florist, jams, fruit, produce, aprons.

Starshine Ranch: Llamas, alpacas, peacocks, peacock eggs.

River Wind Farm: Vegetables, grass-fed beef, fruit.

Yaquina Nursery: Succulents and cactus.

Yachats Forest Farm: Vegetables.

The Ranch: Baked goods, fruit, grass-fed beef.