French Prairie Gardens: Sharing Farm Traditions
Since 1987
By Julie Pederson
In 1987, the Pohlschneider family opened a produce stand on their
farm. This roadside attraction was a small added-value to a family
farm already rich in tradition. Dating back to the 1920s, this grass
seed operation was founded when Alwin Pohlschneider emigrated from
Germany to the Willamette Valley to make a new life in the American
west.
There are many farms in Oregon with a similar story. What makes
the Pohlschneider family farm special is that they realized how
fortunate they were to live in Oregon’s fertile country, and they
suspected others may be interested in experiencing the farm
lifestyle as well. “We can see the country everyday and spend time
here, but a lot of people don’t have that,” said Katey Pohlschneider.
With the desire to share country life with others, the
Pohlschneiders opened their produce stand, and over the years it has
expanded into a thriving agritourism destination called French
Prairie Gardens. While the grass seed operation still exists, the
face of the farm has been transformed. Today, French Prairie Gardens
attracts families from across the region with a wide variety of
festivals, events, educational opportunities, and farm fresh produce
and specialty items.
Visitors to French Prairie Gardens can expect the
traditional—nursery plants in the spring, and a pumpkin patch and
hay maze in the fall—however, the Pohlschneiders are always looking
to add unique attractions. Seasonal cooking classes, producer-guided
farm tours, specialty baked goods, renowned hanging baskets, and the
ever-popular “Pigtucky Derby” pig races that take place each fall
all give this agritourism destination a special flair.
Providing weekend family fun is not the only priority at French
Prairie Gardens. During the fall and spring, the farm hosts school
tours, fulfilling an important mission. “To educate people about
agriculture was the quest when we started,” said Karren
Pohlschneider. And children do learn about agriculture on a visit to
the farm. During the Harvest Festival that takes place in the month
of October, for example, children can learn about the lifecycle of a
pumpkin.
The education effort that French Prairie Gardens prides itself on
does not stop with school children. The farm has a Community
Supported Agriculture program that provides harvest boxes to members
for 18 weeks throughout the summer. “It’s a good way for people to
eat healthy, get to know the grower and be able to see the farm,”
said Katey. This program helps the Pohlschneiders promote a loyalty
to local agriculture, and fulfill their mission of sharing farm
culture with those who may not otherwise have access to it.
Participating members can pick up their weekly box of fresh produce
directly on the farm.
Whatever brings people to French Prairie Gardens—a seasonal
festival, a school field trip, or a CSA pick-up—it is surely the
Pohlschneiders that bring them back. The farm is run entirely by
members of the family and visitors can feel their passion and
commitment, which French Prairie Gardens thrives on. “We have
memories growing up here, and we want to share the farm and help
people build memories,” said Stacy Pohlschneider. “People often come
and say we’re the best kept secret. And we say ‘No! Tell everyone
we’re here!’”
The French Prairie Gardens Harvest Festival begins September 26,
and everyone is invited. The more the merrier, it seems!
See the French Prairie Gardens events calendar for a complete
list of festivities on the farm.
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