French Prairie Gardens

School Tours

To inquire about Spring Tours call Karren at (503) 633-8445, or send email inquiries to Karren@fpgardens,com.

Educational farm tours are based on Oregon Science Benchmarks at French Prairie Gardens in St. Paul, OregonAt French Prairie Gardens we offer a unique school tour experience where students learn about Oregon agriculture through hands-on inquiry-based lessons, guided tours and good old fashion fun on the farm.

We began offering school tours in 1995. We have spent a lot of time and energy researching and thinking about creating a quality educational experience for school children. French Prairie Gardens is a family owned and operated business. Each member takes an active role in the school tour experience.

Our tour includes:

  • A narrated tour of our 500-acre farm of fruit, vegetables and grass seed on a tractor-drawn hay wagon given by Farmer John
  • A lesson on the life cycle of a pumpkin, tools utilized by a farmer, and simple machines taught by Farmer Katey, a certified ESOL Science teacher and assisted by Farmer Stacy
  • A stop at the hay maze for little fun and exercise
  • A trip to see and learn about the farm animals via Farmer Eric. Feed is available in quarter-operated machines
  • A trip the pumpkin patch where students pick their favorite pumpkin to take home
  • A trip to our Pigtucky Derby starring Farmer John and Farmer Eric and of course the pigs
  • A pumpkin from the pumpkin patch
  • One of our famous racing pig noses
  • An educational coloring book

We begin booking school tours in August. In order to receive the time slot that works best with your schedule we suggest you sign up early, as popular slots fill up fast. Reservations are needed and can be placed via our online registration or by calling Katey at (503)884-4347. Tours will begin each hour on the quarter hour from 9:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, we are closed on Monday. Each tour will last one hour for your class. Timing is essential; we ask that each group arrives 10 minutes before their scheduled tour. There will be an area set aside for your class where you can take individual and class photos. In order for our tours to run smoothly we ask that parents and teachers take action shots during the tour and utilize the area set aside for you to take posed and class photos.

A covered lunch facility is available for use before or after your tour for one half hour. This area must be reserved by you prior to the day of your school tour. We ask that you bring garbage sacks to remove your garbage as we are trying to be a sustainable business which requires us to sort our garbage.

Our country store will be open during the day of your tour. Parents and teachers are welcome to come in and do some shopping before or after your tour. The country store will have fresh baked scones, muffins, cookies and fruit pies each morning. We also have fresh picked seasonal produce, jams and syrups made from our fruit, gourmet pastas and pesto, and a variety of other gift items available for purchase.

Tour price will be $4.50 per person and applies to any student, sibling, parent, or person that goes on the tour. Classroom teachers will be free.

To inquire about Spring Tours call Karren at (503) 633-8445, or send email inquiries to Karren@fpgardens,com.