There are many perfectly good reasons to visit an Oregon farm.
Fresh fruit is one. Wandering through an old orchard is another. Browsing antiques, garden art, cowboy boots, and curious little treasures can easily occupy an afternoon.
But let’s be honest.
At Tollen Farm in Wilsonville, all of those plans may temporarily leave your brain the moment a miniature donkey comes trotting across the pasture with its fuzzy forehead, wiggly ears, and unmistakable air of someone who knows it’s the cutest creature on the property.
The miniature donkeys are the stars here, and they appear to be fully aware of it.
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Located on four acres in the Willamette Valley, Tollen Farm is the kind of cheerful country place that can make even the most serious adult grin like a kid. There are friendly animals, mature orchards, colorful gardens, rescue horses, vintage treasures, and enough rural charm to make you briefly consider abandoning city life and becoming a full-time donkey scratcher.
This isn’t a loud, crowded attraction filled with flashing signs and long lines. Tollen Farm feels much more personal.
It’s warm. It’s peaceful. It’s a little whimsical.
Most importantly, it has tiny donkeys.
The Miniature Donkeys Will Leave You Wondering How You Can Conceivably Fit One Into Your Backyard
We should probably begin with the main attraction.
The donkeys are ridiculously adorable.
Tollen Farm raises registered Mediterranean miniature donkeys, a small domesticated breed known for being social, intelligent, affectionate, and extremely good at making visitors say things like, “Look at his little face!”
They may be miniature, but there’s nothing small about their personalities.
Their ears swivel around like furry satellite dishes. Their soft muzzles seem almost scientifically designed for gentle pats. Their shaggy coats, tiny hooves, and slightly messy manes give them the appearance of regular donkeys that have been shrunk down into a more cuddle-friendly travel size.
Kids usually fall in love within seconds.
Adults often claim they’re "only taking pictures of the kids", despite having already taken 47 nearly identical photos of the same donkey blinking.
The animals are accustomed to visitors, and each one has its own personality. One may wander over immediately, ready to inspect everyone in the group. Another might stand a few feet away, quietly determining whether you seem interesting enough to deserve its attention.
Some are bold. Some are gentle. Some are curious.
All of them look as though they belong on the cover of a children’s book about friendship.
Because miniature donkeys are herd animals, companionship is extremely important to them. They aren’t meant to live lonely lives by themselves, and the farm places a strong emphasis on making sure they have the social connection they need.
Historically, donkeys have worked as pack animals, livestock companions, and farm helpers. At Tollen Farm, their most important current responsibilities appear to include greeting visitors, posing for photos, and making people wonder whether their homeowners association allows livestock.
With names such as "Cowboy", "Smoochie", and "Chocolate Surprise" appearing among the farm’s donkeys over the years, these animals already sound like a tiny country-western band.
A very fuzzy country music band.
Kids Are Going To Talk About This Place For Days
For children, Tollen Farm offers the sort of experience that feels both exciting and wonderfully simple.
They get to meet real animals.
They can hear the soft sounds of the pasture, watch donkeys interact with one another, see horses grazing, and walk through a place where fruit grows on actual trees instead of appearing mysteriously inside a grocery store.
There’s no screen involved. There’s no app to download.
There are just animals, gardens, fresh air, and the possibility that a donkey may walk over and decide to investigate your shoelaces.
The farm can arrange tours for visitors of different ages, from young children and school groups to seniors, garden clubs, homeschool families, photographers, and anyone else who could use a happier afternoon.
While the visit is fun, it’s also naturally educational.
Children can learn that donkeys are smart, sensitive, and social. They can discover why farm animals need proper food, space, companionship, and respectful handling. They can see how orchards, gardens, and livestock all fit together on a working farm.
These are the kinds of lessons that tend to stick.
A child may forget several pages of a classroom worksheet. They’re much less likely to forget the afternoon a miniature donkey named Smoochie wandered over to say hello.
Parents should stay close to children during animal encounters, and visitors should never feed the animals unless farm staff say it’s okay. Donkeys may look as though they would happily accept an entire picnic lunch, but their diets need to be carefully managed.
Pets should also remain at home or in visitors' vehicles.
The farm animals already have their own social arrangements, and the miniature donkeys haven’t requested outside dogs be added to the guest list.
The Rescue Horses Are Living Their Best Lives
The miniature donkeys receive plenty of attention, but they aren’t the only animals bringing joy to Tollen Farm.
The property has also been home to rescued Arabian mares that arrived in 2008. Rather than being asked to work, perform, or earn their keep, the horses were given a peaceful place to spend their days roaming and grazing.
Owner Tonie Tollen has affectionately referred to them as “pasture ornaments,” which may be the finest retirement plan ever created.
Their daily schedule appears refreshingly manageable.
Stand in a beautiful green pasture. Eat some grass. Look majestic. Repeat as needed.
There’s something deeply calming about watching horses move quietly across an Oregon field, especially when you know they’ve found a safe and loving home.
Several years ago, Tollen Farm also gave a forever-home to a miniature Shetland Pony named Tessa, a.k.a. "Pistol Packin' Momma". She gave birth to "Bandit", and now both animals happily spend their days with the bigger horses, living their best lives.
The farm’s rescue work adds heart to an already cheerful place. Behind the cute donkey photos and lighthearted fun is a genuine commitment to giving animals the care, respect, and comfort they deserve.
Tollen Farm has also raises Hampshire sheep, including spring lambs that likely create dangerous levels of cuteness when combined with the donkeys.
Take A Happy Little Stroll Through The Happy Little Trees In The Orchard
Tollen Farm has been part of the Wilsonville landscape since 1979, though its century-old farmhouse, mature trees, and established gardens make the property feel as though it has always belonged there.
The farm includes pastures, orchards, flowers, herbs, native plants, and the sort of shady old trees that make you want to stay awhile.
Depending on the season, visitors may find apples, plums, pears, and filberts (those are hazelnuts, to you out-of-towners) growing in the orchard. Some of the fruit may be available to purchase when it’s ripe, which means your visit could end with both donkey photos and fresh Oregon produce.
That’s a fairly successful day by any reasonable standard.
Spring and summer bring flowers and greenery, while late summer and fall add the warm, abundant feeling of orchard season. There’s always something pleasant to notice, whether it’s a blossom, a piece of fruit, a bird in the trees, or a donkey attempting to become the center of attention again.
Visitors shouldn’t rush through the property.
Take time to wander. Look beneath the old trees. Enjoy the gardens. Let the kids inspect leaves, flowers, and interesting things they find along the way.
Tollen Farm offers a chance to slow down and enjoy the kind of simple country beauty that doesn’t need much explanation.
It’s just a lovely place to be.
As Wilsonville and the Portland metro area continue to grow, this small farm feels like a happy pocket of old Willamette Valley life tucked between the busier world around it.
The Farm Shop Is Basically A Treasure Hunt
After everyone has met the miniature donkeys, admired the horses, and taken enough photos to fill an entire family group chat, there’s still more to explore.
Tollen Farm also has a delightfully eclectic farm shop filled with vintage finds, antiques, art, western décor, garden pieces, equine-themed items, gently-used cowboy boots, and all kinds of unusual objects collected over the years.
This is not the sort of shop where every shelf contains 20 copies of the same decorative sign.
It’s more unpredictable than that.
You might find an old gate that would look perfect in a garden. You may spot a weathered piece of décor, an interesting painting, a pair of boots, or some peculiar treasure that serves no obvious purpose other than making you happy.
The fun is in not knowing what’s waiting inside.
The shop’s farmhouse setting makes the experience even more charming. Vintage goods and rustic pieces feel right at home here, surrounded by orchards, animals, gardens, and the peaceful hum of farm life.
Adults may enter believing they’re only going to “take a quick look.”
Thirty minutes later, they may emerge holding three pairs of cowboy boots, a piece of garden art, and an antique object nobody can fully identify.
Meanwhile, the kids will still be talking about the donkeys.
Everybody leaves with a favorite part.
Adults May Love Tollen Farm Even More Than The Kids
Tollen Farm certainly makes a wonderful family outing, but it would be a mistake to think this place is only for children.
Adults need miniature donkeys too.
After a week filled with work, appointments, errands, traffic, emails, and the general administrative burden of being a grown-up, spending time on a quiet farm can feel surprisingly restorative.
There’s room to breathe.
You can wander through gardens, watch the horses, browse antiques, chat about the animals, and enjoy an outing that doesn’t require rushing from one scheduled activity to another.
The farm has hosted small lunches, teas, garden club gatherings, photography groups, painting days, and private events beneath the kiwi vines.
It’s easy to understand why.
The property has a relaxed, welcoming feeling that works just as well for grandparents, friends, couples, photographers, animal lovers, and anyone looking for a joyful little escape.
You don’t need to be seven years old to be delighted when a miniature donkey walks over and points its enormous ears in your direction.
In fact, adults may appreciate the moment even more.
Children already expect the world to contain magic.
Adults occasionally need a miniature donkey to remind them.
Plan Ahead Before Visiting Tollen Farm
--Tollen Farm is centrally-located in Wilsonville, making it an easy country outing from Portland, Salem, and other communities throughout the northern Willamette Valley.
--The farm is not a traditional drop-in petting zoo, so visitors need to make arrangements before arriving. Visits are generally offered by appointment, and calling ahead helps ensure someone is available to welcome you and introduce you to the animals.
--Wear comfortable shoes that can handle ordinary farm conditions, including grass, dirt, and possibly a little Oregon mud. Keep children close, leave pets at home, and don’t feed the animals without permission.
--You should also bring a camera. In fact, a fully charged phone is highly recommended because you may arrive intending to take just one nice family photo. Then a fuzzy miniature donkey will trot over, tilt its head, and completely derail the rest of your afternoon in the most delightful way possible.
--Every year on the third Saturday in May, from 1pm to 4pm, Tollen Farm hosts a Donkey Birthday Party, complete with carrots and lemonade. See their website for more details.
By the time you leave, the children will have a new favorite animal, the adults will be discussing whether donkeys can be house-trained, and everyone will feel a little happier than they did when they arrived.
That’s the magic of Tollen Farm.
It’s a place filled with gentle animals, old trees, rescued horses, orchard fruit, vintage treasures, and enough miniature donkey charm to brighten even the grayest Oregon day.
Everything You Need To Know Before You Plan A Trip To Tollen Farm
Address: 11681 SW Tooze Rd, Wilsonville, OR 97070
Phone: 971-322-6931
Hours: By appointment only. See website for details.
Web: tollenfarm.com
