Rogue Valley Farm Tour - Free, Self-Guided Event
As parents it has always been really important to us that we teach our kids to support our local businesses. When Ilias was a baby we only had one car, so I would push him in his stroller to the Rogue Valley Growers Market to shop from our local farmers and makers, and we really got to know them, even building relationships that we still have today eighteen years later.
There’s something to be said for knowing your local farmers. It definitely makes you feel more connected to your food and brings your community closer together. One of our favorite annual farm events to participate in is the Rogue Valley Farm Tour. Every July Rogue Valley farmers open their farms up to tours offering education opportunities, as well as live music, and food. In years past we’ve had a blast visiting some of our favorite farms that we frequent at the growers markets, as well as visiting some new ones. Here’s an itinerary of what we have done in the past!
Since we live in Medford, we like to start close to home at Fry Family Farms where Sue Fry, the matriarch of small farming in the Rogue Valley, gave us a tour of their greenhouses and property and gave us samples of their delicious heirloom tomatoes. What’s awesome is that their beautiful farm store is open year round sharing farm fresh produce and flowers, as well as ready made dinners, and artisan products like pies, jams, and cookies.
Our next stop took us to the north Rogue Valley to the Alpacas at Lone Ranch. The owners happily introduced us to their alpacas and the kids were able to pet them while we learned fun facts about them, we even got to meet a baby! Afterwards we visited their little shop where Renate shares her skills with beautifully knitted hats, sweaters, and other items that she knits with her alpaca wool.
We ended our day by driving through the Applegate and headed to the English Lavender Farm. We love this gorgeous farm, it’s perfect for photo ops. We can also pick our own lavender, participate in wreath making, and enjoy some lavender ice cream!
This year some of the farms will be offering special events including:At Blossom Barn Cidery take a guided tour of their sustainable pear orchard and say hello to their resident farm animals then enjoy samples of free pear juice for the kiddos. At Liongate Farm visit the event barn for hands-on fibery artist demonstrations and try your hand at spinning and felting. At Siskiyou Seeds get guided tours of their permaculture food forest and sample a variety of fruit. The Sunflower Farm at Arpeggio Vineyard get guided tours and learn about their pasture-raised lamb and kids can enjoy arts and crafts.
Itty Bitty Acres Farm will be offering guided hayride tours. Rusted Gate Farm will be offering painting, microscopes, sensory pools, and lawn games for kids. Willow-Witt Rach will be offering hiking tours with their resident goats at Noon and 2:00pm, there will also be kid activities. At Salant Family Ranch you will be able to pet a pony and enjoy free burgers with fixings. See the full day's events and download your map and brochure HERE.
No matter which route you take you are sure to have a wonderful time and come away with a stronger appreciation for all that our farmers do. If you’d like to be a volunteer for the event you can pick the farm you would like to work at here.
If you would like to go the Rogue Valley Farm Tour is on Sunday, July 19, 2026 10am - 3pm
