2024 Portland and Multnomah County Corn U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Corn U-Pick Orchards in Portland and Multnomah County in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for corn that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have corn orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

Multnomah County

• Sauvie Island Farms - blueberries, broccoli, cherries, corn (sweet), cucumbers, flowers, herbs or spices, lavender, marionberries, pears, peas, peaches, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries (red), summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, U-pick and already picked, porta-potties are available, picnic area, farm animals
  19818 Nw Sauvie Island Rd, Portland, OR 97231. Phone: 503-621-3988. Email: david@sauvieislandfarms.com. Open: June - August: Monday - Saturday 8am to 7pm; October: Monday - Saturday 9am to 6pm; December:Monday - Saturday 10am to 5pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, WIC Vouchers.
  Sauvie Island Farms Facebook page. . offers a variety of 'pick your own fruits and vegetables for those who desire the freshest produce right from the field. Our season begins in June with strawberries and ends in December with u-cut Christmas trees. Bring the whole family and experience our country farm just 10 miles from downtown Portland. In October we have u-pick pumpkins and activities at our field just 1/4 mile from the bridge on Sauvie Island Road.
• Topaz Farm - Uses natural growing practices, Flowers, Pumpkins, corn maze, farm market, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
  1717100 Nw Sauvie Island Road, Portland, OR 97231. Phone: 503-621-3489. Email: info@topazfarm.com. Open: See our website for current hours. Directions: Located on Sauvie Island just 15 minutes from downtown Portland. Take highway 30 towards Saint Helens, cross the Sauvie Island Bridge, go straight. The farm is 112 miles on the right hand side. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, WIC Vouchers, SFMNP Vouchers.
  Topaz Farm Facebook page. . Located on Sauvie Island just 15 minutes from downtown Portland. Take highway 30 towards Saint Helens, cross the Sauvie Island Bridge, go straight. The farm is 1/12 miles on the right hand side. Mini-Goats, U-Cut Flowers, Farm to Plate Dinners, Mini-Donkeys, Mushrooms, Local Beer on Tap, Farm Pops, Tire Swing, Fresh Greens, No Spray, Live Music, Sandwiches, Corn Hole, Picnic Boxes. Farm may be rented for weddings and special events. UPDATE for 2021: Formerly called Kruger's Farm, it was sold in 2021,and renamed. I have received no updates from them yet, so the info above may no longer be accurate.

 

 

Choosing and Picking Corn

Corn reaches it's peak sweetness and flavor when the kernels are full, and just touching each other, like a good set of teeth!  They should not be bloated and smushed so tightly that there is no space left at all. The bloated overripe ears will have a bland, starchy taste.

Here's what to look for:

• The tips of the silks coming out of the ear should be a light brown.
•  If you break a kernel with your fingernail, the liquid should be slightly milky in color.
•  The ears should be filled out and have developed good girth but not bloated.

Harvesting

 To harvest, snap off the ears by hand with a quick, firm, downward push; then twist and pull.
 Avoid twisting or yanking the ears, as this can damage the stalk or the ear itself.

Storing the corn

Corn is at its prime eating quality on the stalk for only 72 hours before becoming over mature. The most important factor is cooling it as soon as possible after harvesting it.  Get it into the fridge or cover it with ice! Many farmers say you should remove the shucks right away, too.  I've found that removing most of the shuck, but leaving a few leaves to cover each ear is best to prevent the kernels from drying out.  See this page for more about storing corn before using it.

Cooking:

The worst mistake people make is overcooking corn.  In fact, corn isn't really cooked; it's just heated up. If you cook it form more than a few minutes (3 minutes), then you are simply breaking down the sugars and turning a nice, crisp sweet ear into bland mush. It's not a pot roast; the purpose of heating it is NOT to break down the cells, just to heat them to bring out the flavor and melt the butter!

Here's how to cook the corn:

1. Fill a large pot (large enough so the shucked ears can fit inside, laying down) about 2/3 full of water and start bring it to a boil
2. Shuck the ears, and snap off the stalk end and the very tip of ear (especially if you will use "corn stickers" , (handles) to hold the ears.
3. When everyone is sitting down at the table and you are serving the rest of the meal, put the corn in the boiling water and set the time for 3 minutes.
4. After 3 minutes, using tongs, retrieve the ears and serve them with butter (Corn boats are wonderful for corn!

 

Freezing Corn

You can easily freeze the sweet corn and have that great taste in the dead of winter! 

• Freezing whole ears of corn on the cob
• Freezing corn, cut off the cob

Canning Corn

This too, is easy... but it DOES require a Pressure Canner.  You cannot safely do this with a water bath canner.  Food poisoning is no joke!

• Here is how to can corn!
•  how to make canned creamed corn.
• Southern Chow-Chow (also called Piccalilli)
• Pickled corn relish

Other corn recipes

• How to make sweet corn ice cream
• Corn bread, or sweet corn muffins (like Chi Chi's)

• Corn fritters (a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers