Generations of Farm Fresh Bounty Just For You

Back in 1948, in the aftermath of World War II, John Liepold was recovering from pneumonia in a Canadian hospital when he met a redheaded nurse named Elsa. After falling madly in love, they married and moved to Oregon. Quickly discovering that berries grew well in the Pacific Northwest, they bought a property in Boring with vineyard vistas and Mt. Hood in the background and were soon blessed with a robust crop and three beautiful children.

Generations of Liepolds have graced the abundant berry fields since it all began in 1952, with John’s son Rodney and Marcia, his wife, taking over in 1988 and expanding the farm almost threefold in acreage. Their children, Jeff and Michelle, stepped in around 2016 and fully transitioned the farm to certified organic. These days, about ten family members work on the farm, including Jeff, his wife Jen, Michelle, her husband Paul, cousins Brandon, Nicholas, Zack, and Abby, and of course, Grandma and Grandpa!

Liepold Farms cultivates delicious varieties of organic strawberries, raspberries, marionberries, blackberries, boysenberries, blackcaps, and blueberries, all with a very high brix content, measuring fruit maturity and level of sweetness. “We make fruit spreads with our berries versus jam because the natural sugar content is so high,” explains Michelle Liepold. “To be considered a jam, the FDA requires 55 percent sugar content. Our fruit spread has the consistency of a berry mash and only 22 percent sugar, so perfect for diabetics and maintaining a healthy weight.”

Liepold berries can be found at the farmers market, at their seasonal berry stand, in the produce section at New Seasons and even on the menu at Burgerville. Some crops are made into supplements and pharmaceuticals, like the blackcap raspberries commonly used in colorectal cancer treatment.

1998 was a challenging year for the farm, and out of desperation to make ends meet, the Liepolds started one of the first agritourism sites in the area. Autumn now brings a colorful bounty of squash, pumpkins, gourds and all the best seasonal vegetables. The Fall Festival is still one of the best and features a large selection of specialty pumpkins, a corn maze, and scavenger hunts.

Visitors can walk about the 250-acre farm enjoying tasty treats like caramel corn, hand-dipped caramel apples and apple-spiced donuts, or feast on hot barbecue sandwiches with homemade pickles and macaroni salad. Don’t forget to say hello to their friendly herd of goats as they clown around on their play structures! In the summer, the berry stand is open seven days a week and slings fresh parfaits and shortcakes on the weekends. Other seasonal events include Daffodil Weekend and a Mother’s Day Brunch.

“Being right next door to Portland, we see a lot of inner-city families,” says Michelle. “Teaching kids to be aware of their neighbors and community helps them understand how they fit in, especially when it comes to the environment.” That includes a yearly educational theme for the corn maze and scavenger hunt. “We welcome visitors, not just in the fall, to come see how we grow things.”

Liepold Farms is proud to introduce two exciting new attractions this year! In 2020, the family acquired property adjacent to their land, known historically as Maple Shade Farm, which belonged to the original Boring family. After spending several years beautifying the grounds and restoring old buildings, they are welcoming guests this March.

The eight-bedroom house they call Maple Shade Estate has been converted into an Airbnb with private rooms and access to a gym, a library, an indoor pickleball court, an outdoor pool, cozy fire pits, and fresh made breakfast from the farm.

One of the barns on the new property houses the Black Barn Tasting Room where guests can sip hard ciders, enjoy small plate appetizers, and sample fresh berries and fruit spread. “It’s got a dark and moody vibe, and the decor is made of old farm tools,” shares Michelle. “I turned a hay rake into a chandelier and used components from an old hazelnut rack to decorate the walls. It’s a nod to my Grandpa John and celebrating our history here.”

The Liepolds can’t wait to host you and your family on the farm this year! For tasting room hours and future event details, visit liepoldfarms.com. Liepold Farms’ Berry Stand is located at 14480 SE Richey Rd, Boring, Oregon, 97009. Please call ahead for availability 503-663-5880.