Connie: (503) 575-0090 / Jarod: (503) 330-1067
Welcome to
Vancil-Polehn Farm “VP Farm”
Our 2024 U-Pick Opens Friday September 6th, at 7:00 a.m.
Questions?
Call Connie (503) 575-0090 or Jarod (503) 330-1067
About Us
In 1903, our great-grandparents Frank and Clara Polehn acquired 160 acres of Oregon land from a home settler. The Polehn family proceeded to farm the land and build their own craftsman style house, which is still in use today. Generations later, the Vancil-Polehn family is still farming that same land at 19594 S Redland Road, just outside Oregon City. We have found orchard farming to be well suited to the mineral rich soil and altitude of 700 feet. And, we also enjoy the direct contact with our customers by selling Upick!
We grow Italian and Brooks variety plums, Bartlett and D'Anjou pears, and Jefferson variety hazelnuts. The orchards are spacious and the views are spectacular. You are welcome to drive right into the orchards to find your favorite picking spot!
Vancil-Polehn Farm minimizes the use of pesticides by careful testing of the crops throughout the growing season. The pear orchards have been no spray for years, and we make use of natural predators (micro-wasps) to control for moths.
Did you know...
Oregon State fruit is Pears and State nut is Hazelnut!
Pricing to be announced August 2025
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tue - Sat
- -
- Sunday
- -
(Open 7:00 am Tuesday to Saturday from September 6 to 14)
Contact
Connie:
(503) 575-0090
Jarod:
(503) 330-1067
U-Pick Farm
U-Pick Plums
Oregon's rich soil and climate yields superb plums. The Italian plum variety is small to medium sized, oval shaped, and slightly pointed at the ends. When ripe it will be a deep purple color. It is sweet, but with a complex sour flavor as well. Brooks plums are the Italian plum's Oregon cousin. Also considered a European plum, the Brooks variety was developed in Lafayette, Oregon in 1946. It is larger, rounder, and slightly sweeter than the Italian variety. The Italian and Brooks Plum varieties are great eaten raw, popular for jams, wine, drying and cooking.
These varieties are specialty produce that have quite a following among chefs and plum afficionados. But watch out, once you've tasted Italians and Brooks plums, you'll have a hard time buying blander plum varieties at the grocery store!
U-Pick Pears
Our large pear orchard primarily consists of Bartlett pears, and D'Anjou pears which were planted as pollinizers. We have maintained a no-spray policy in the pear orchard for more than 10 years. Instead, we release hundreds of thousands of "Trichogramma" wasps to eat the eggs of coddling moths that plague the apple and pear orchards of the Northwest. Our pears are delicious and sweet. We recommend picking pears when they are firm, but slightly soft at the neck, not fully ripe. Then bring them home, keep them in a closed paper container (paper bag or box), and the natural ethylene gas the pears emit will help them ripen.
Be sure to be careful if you drive through the pear orchard, and keep an eye out for branches from pruning. We work hard at keeping a groomed orchard floor, but we can miss spots.
U-Pick Hazelnuts
Renowned for their buttery texture and nutty flavor, our hazelnuts are a true local delicacy. Our Hazelnuts are Jefferson variety and were developed at Oregon State University.
We have an electric nut cracking machine which customers are welcome to use for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are reservations or appointments necessary?
No! You are welcome to arrive during our open hours. It is best to call to verify the hours for the day you plan to come.
Is check-in required when we arrive?
It’s not necessary to check-in or register. The orchards are large and you are welcome to drive into them.
After picking please check out at cashier. We accept cash or checks only.
Are containers provided?
5 gallon buckets are available for use while on the property. You will need your own containers for transporting your harvest home. Many customers bring empty boxes to use.
Are ladders available?
Yes. Ladders are available for your use. Please return them by leaning them against a tree along the road, so that they are easily found. Please do not leave a ladder laying on the ground or in the middle of the orchard.
Are there any potential dangers to watch out for?
We do mark or fill in holes that squirrels or rabbits have made. That said, please do be careful of where you step in the orchards.
Also, please look out for jagged branches in the pear orchid that might damage your tires.
If you encounter any problems with yellow-jackets or wasps (or any other problem) please contact Jarod 503-330-1067 or Connie 503-575-0090, or see the cashier.
What are the prices and what forms of payments do you accept?
Plums per lb., Pears per lb. (no spray),
Hazelnuts per lb. (ripe on late September)
*Please cash & checks only
Is the farm accessible to individuals with disabilities?
U-pickers may drive into the orchards and pull right up to a tree. This allows for relatively easy access. Our Porta Pottys are handicapped accessible.
Are there restrooms and handwashing stations??
Yes, you will find porta potty and hand washing stations at the edge of the pear & plum orchards.
Are pets allowed on the farm?
Dogs are welcome on the property however are not allowed out of your car in the orchards or any produce handling area. There are wooded areas where they can be walked. Dogs must be leashed at all times.
Is there anything else to check out while at the farm?
You are welcome to picnic or explore the property. Please use trash cans or take any trash with you. We have 4 residences on the property; please do not enter their yards.
When does the u-pick season start? Hours?
We open September 6.
Our hours are generally:
Tuesday- Saturday 8:00 am - 5:45pm
Sunday 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Note: Hazelnuts ripen in late September.