Honk if you love farmers
The Yachats River Valley Farm Tour is well worth a gander
NANCY'S BARN BY KEN GAGNE
Yachats, the “Gem of the Oregon Coast” has much more to offer than the charming main town and scenic coastline. Located east along the Yachats River toward one of Oregon's iconic covered bridges are some thriving farms that open to the public once a year to offer fresh-from-the-farm products.
This year's tour of six farms and ranches will take place on Saturday, Aug. 13, and feature locally grown fruits, vegetables, grass-fed beef, baked goods, jams, refreshments and, as an added bonus, live music.
Your first stop will be at Seeds of Oregon to see a selection of vegetables and plants. Fuel up for the rest of your day of exploration at the Little Red Coop, which will have a selection of baked goods for sale. Forks Farm will have organic fruits, blueberries, cut flowers, jams, produce and handmade aprons. While at the farm, learn more about the floral arrangements they create for weddings and other celebrations.
On the South Fork of the Yachats River is River Wind Farm and Rasa Clay Works, offering fruit and home-grown produce for sale and award-winning locally-made pottery.
Next along this road is the world-famous Yaquina Nursery, featuring cacti and succulents from all over the planet, most of which are for sale.
Last up is The Ranch, resting in a serene meadow setting with a barn, pond, river, shade trees and picnic tables. A wide variety of livestock including cows, chickens and geese wander through the pastures. Free hot coffee will be available to enjoy with home-baked goods, honey and jams for sale.
One unique feature at the ranch will be live music, beginning at 10 am, provided by accordionists Jim and Shirley O’Brien, the Oregon Coast Recorder Society and the Newport/Oregon Coast Community Drum Circle, featuring multicultural traditional and indigenous rhythms and Mary-Beth Nickel on the Native American flutes.
The sites will be open to the public from 10 am to 3 pm. To get to the Yachats River Road, turn off Highway 101 just south of Yachats near the north bank of the Yachats River.
For more information, call 541-547-4426.
Yachats River Valley Farm Tour Addresses
Seeds of Oregon, 1603 Yachats River Road
The Little Red Coop, 4546 Yachats River Road
Forks Farm, 8 North Fork River Road
River Wind Farm, 8402 South Fork River Road
Yaquina Nursery, 9724 South Fork River Road
The Ranch, 10740 South Fork River Road