White Oak Farms

Work on West Linn century farm proves to be a family affair

WEST LINN -- Cole and Lauren Fiala rarely think twice about plucking a carrot from the soil of their family’s farm and chowing down.

After all, the siblings say, that’s the way it’s been done for more than 100 years. One day, they would like to continue that tradition with their children.

“Passing on a love for the land, being outdoors and cooking the food that you grow yourself is important to us," said Lauren, 27. “Eventually, this place is going to be ours, and we’d love to continue helping it flourish.”

The siblings are the fourth generation on Fiala Farms, a 59-acre area in the Stafford Hamlet bought by their great-grandparents, Jerry Sr., and Lucy Fiala, in 1906 for roughly $2,200 in gold coins. The farm is currently run by their father, Richard, and his three siblings, Wesley, Doug, and Anne, who sell produce grown from the family property. The farm was designated as a century farm last September by the Oregon Agricultural Education Foundation .

“Because of what I do now, I’ve really grown to become attached to this land, just like my father,” said Richard Fiala, 54. “That may sound silly in some respects, but being out here every day and seeing the vegetables grow day by day gives me a sense of pride.”

In the late 1800s, Jerry Sr., and Lucy separately immigrated to New York from what is now known as the Czech Republic. Over time, they settled in Oregon and met at a social club in downtown Portland. They eventually got married, had three children and moved to the farm.

When Jerry and Lucy died, the farm was split among their three children. Art, the oldest, received 15 acres, Lillian, the middle child, got 26 acres and the remaining 18 acres went to the youngest, Jerry Jr., whose four children have since remained working on the land.

In the late 1950s, Jerry Jr., and his family started a commercial pole green bean operation that started as half an acre on the property but eventually grew to eight acres when they stopped selling the beans in the early 1970s when Sherwood’s Portland Canning Company closed. During the summer months, the Fialas said their family would recruit about 100 people, mostly teens, to help harvest the beans five days a week.

“We think the business was started mainly to keep Wes and Doug out of trouble,” said Anne Fiala, 59. “But it put some money in our pockets, and it certainly was a full time job, that was for sure.

Agritourism and Aromatherapy at White Oak Lavender Farm

In addition to celebrating the health benefits of lavender , the farm has a number of animals for petting and photo ops. Bunnies, horses,  goats and alpaca stand ready for adoration next to the pick-your-own lavender fields that surround the gift shop and outdoor event space.

One of the most interesting things about the White Oak Lavender Farm is the number of reflective discovery spaces available to visitors. While the labyrinth may still be under construction, the duck pond area and discovery garden are perfect for strolling and spending a quiet few minutes alone.Once you have cleared your mind, you walk over the "Rabbitat" for some serious cuddling rabbits while the goat say hello to the other side of the fence.

After your workshop or celebration, but be sure to spend some time in the gift shop. Not only is standing inside his own form of aromatherapy, but Haushalters have collected a large impressive product of lavender. Two of note are the jet linen and lavender lotion goat milk. Julie Mom, artist Jessie Walton also stuffed monkey dolls for children of lavender.Perfect for all children but particularly suitable for any kids you know who might be struggling with a stay in hospital long term. These dolls can be dressed for boys or girls, and combine aromatherapy with the healing power of an element of comfort.

Surprisingly, lavender can also be used in a number of recipes. If the possibility of becoming a culinary lavender intrigues you, there are resources on the farm to help with that. Final verdict? Worth the trip. I took some photos of the lavender farm white oak during my time here that I will soon turn into an online photo gallery. (So ​​stay tuned!) Those who enjoy activities celebrating a more rustic lifestyle might want to combine their trip to the farm with a stopover at the Virginia Quilt Museum . Other fun activities when making a day of it could include lunch at Union Station Restaurant and Bar or a visit to CrossKeys Vineyards . Also of note are nearby Shenandoah National Park and Luray Caverns , which make fantastic venues for summer family vacations as well.

Photo Credit(s): Trek Hound – Additional pictures of White Oak Lavender Farm are available for online content use through our creative commons sister site, Pictures of Travel Places. We ask only for a link back to the photo site in exchange for free use of the images.

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