For many of us living in the beautiful Willamette Valley in Oregon, certain sustainability values are a way of life, given our abundance of nature and locally-grown food. But there’s always room for improvement, and I’ve made it my mission to consider sustainability when planning local fall excursions from the pumpkin patch farm where we get our carving pumpkins to the Oregon wineries where we purchase our holiday wines.
It may not come as a surprise that Oregon is one of the greenest states in the U.S. (ranked on eco-friendly standards like renewable energy, greenhouse gas emissions, and recycling practices). That said, everything we do has an environmental impact, so read on for a few suggestions on how to incorporate sustainability into your fall fun from Corvallis to Eugene.
6 Eco-Friendly Fall Excursions in Oregon
1. Purchase your carving, eating, and decorative pumpkins from a local organic pumpkin patch farm.
The Willamette Valley has an abundance of locally grown produce, available at well-known farmer’s markets, but have you considered swapping your conventional pumpkin patch farm for an organic farm too? Last fall, we planned an outing to a favorite local pumpkin patch that we had enjoyed in the past, and it was an absolute zoo. We then realized that Groundwork Organics, nearby, had a lovely little pumpkin patch and we ended up getting all of our pumpkins there instead.
This year, the field is a bit farther out and muddy from the heavy rain, so although it is open for u-pick it might be easier for families with little ones to pick up pumpkins from their farmstand.
Location: 91360 River Road, Junction City, Oregon
Hours: Thursday – Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
2. Visit a more sustainable orchard for your u-pick apples and pears.
We enjoy visiting a local apple or pear orchard, and I’ve been hard pressed to find a more sustainable u-pick orchard locally since apples are very cost-prohibitive to grow organically in Oregon. Recently, we enjoyed a fun family excursion to River Bend Farm, a 25-acre family-owned farm and orchard located in Pleasant Hill, featuring Asian and European pears, a variety of apples, and more. While not organic, they use the gentler “integrated pest management” approach which includes principles like beneficial insects and using the least toxic chemicals when required. Check their website for the most up-to-date u-pick opportunities and hours.
3. Eat more plant-based meals, and if you choose to eat meat purchase it from eco-friendly meat producers and consider swapping out beef for grass-fed bison.
Did you know that worldwide meat production accounts for nearly 60% of all greenhouse gases from food production? I gave up all red meat decades ago (and rarely eat meat at all), and I believe that a plant-based diet has many health and environmental benefits. That said, this choice doesn’t work for several members of my family, so I’ve helped them find sustainable meat locally. Beef and lamb are among the worst meats for the environment, and one recommendation is to swap your beef for bison meat.
As it turns out, grass-fed bison can be found locally at My Brothers’ Farm, where soil health, biodiversity, and water quality are carefully stewarded, and they offer organic hazelnuts and pasture-raised pork, too. We’ve enjoyed several in-person visits to their farm where our children were able to see the pigs and bison being raised in a humane and healthy environment and learn about where their meat comes from. Their products can be found at area farmer’s markets, a drop site in Springfield, or by appointment at the farm.
4. Support sustainable Oregon wineries when you are choosing your upcoming holiday wines (and year-round!)
We enjoy visiting our Oregon wineries as well as our local farms, and a recent interest of mine has been learning more about sustainable wines. This upcoming Thanksgiving weekend (November 24 – 26, 2023), many Willamette Valley wineries host special Thanksgiving weekend events, and the South Willamette Wine Trail will also be featured. A few local and sustainable wineries that we have enjoyed supporting from Corvallis to Eugene include:
Antiquum Farm, located in Junction City, Oregon, and emphasizes grazing-based viticulture.
Cardwell Hill Cellars, located in Philomath, Oregon (near Corvallis), and are salmon-safe and LIVE-certified sustainable grapes.
Lumos Wine Company, also located in Philomath, Oregon, is USDA/Oregon certified organic.
Tyee Wine Cellars, located in Corvallis, Oregon, helped to develop and follow the Salmon-Safe ecolabel and produce their wines organically. (Give their Gewürztraminer a try.)
5. Go thrift shopping for Halloween costumes, treat buckets, and seasonal décor.
As you are searching for Halloween costumes for your children or yourself, make sure to visit area thrift shops first and see what you can find. I had been looking high and low for a faux sunflower wreath for my backdoor and ended up finding one for $5 at a resale shop in McMinnville. I felt pleased to save money and minimize waste and environmental impact.
6. Spend plenty of time in nature and reflect on its value.
Last but not least, spend as much time in nature with your children as you can, because the more time we spend in nature the more likely we are to value protecting it. A few wonderful free family-friendly natural areas to explore this fall and beyond in the Southern Willamette Valley include:
Beazell Memorial Forest and Educational Center, located near Corvallis, makes for a perfect fall and winter hike. The 586-acre forest includes streams, mixed forest, and grasslands. You’ll likely spot a variety of wild birds, too.
William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, also near Corvallis, provides refuge for overwintering geese and other species, is open every day from dawn until dusk, and is free to the public.
Dorris Ranch Living History Farm, located in Springfield, is lovely to visit year-round but fall is especially fun because the hazelnut orchard is ready for harvest and the misty meadows give off a “Sleepy Hollow” vibe.
Mt. Pisgah Arboretum, located near Eugene, is a 209-acre nature education facility that is wonderful to visit and explore year-round and is open from dawn until dusk.
How will you be incorporating sustainability into your life this fall and beyond? Please share in the comments below.
Images and content copyright © 2023 Tournesol Adventures. All rights reserved.
Tournesol Adventures 