FARM SWEET FARM

Try Strawberry Picking at an Area Farm this Season

Starting in late April or early May in Virginia, you’re almost guaranteed the opportunity to savor one of the produce world’s sweetest and tastiest treats: fresh strawberries. For several weeks going into June, growers begin harvesting these delights — and for those of us adventurous enough to seek out a little fun, many farms offer a pick-your-own option. 

Photos: James River Media

Where strawberries grow
While Virginia strawberry farms are most likely to be found in the Eastern region, where the coastal moisture and the sandy, fertile land of Tidewater allows this crop to thrive, there are a few closer destinations. The exact timing of the strawberry season can vary depending on several factors, including altitude, precipitation and temperature. Right Photo: James River Media

Around the U.S., more than 8,000 strawberry farms span 73,400 acres. Strawberry-growing is separated into eight regions, and Virginia is part of Region 7, which largely consists of the Southeast minus Florida. Region 7 is the third-highest producing region for strawberries, with Virginia boasting 231 strawberry operations. According to Virginia Cooperative Extension, the largest number of those is in the 1- to 3-acre range, though roughly a quarter are less than 1 acre. 

Sweet treats
Well-established strawberry varieties (or cultivars) such as Chandler, Camarosa, Camino Real and Benicia excel in Virginia, though others, such as Sweet Charlie and Flavorfest, are known as some of the sweetest around. 

Strawberries are considered an ideal fruit for pies, fresh eating or even for freezing for later in the summer. My daughter loves a hearty bowl of strawberries (admittedly with a touch of powdered sugar, though that’s certainly not necessary!) as a treat after breakfast. 

Above Photo: James River Media

Where to pick
Growers often embrace the family-friendly aspect of pick-your-own (or U-pick) offerings because it allows them to connect with customers and eases some of the labor burdens that produce farms endure. Some sources say that U-pick is so popular in the strawberry sector that upward of 75 percent of strawberry farms do this for harvest. 

There are a handful of popular and well-established U-pick strawberry operations near Lynchburg and Danville, and if we’re being honest, there may be a smattering of backyard-type operations that you’ll likely only discover by stumbling across a homemade sign staked into the ground along a curvy two-lane back road. Don’t pass on that opportunity if it arises! 

But if you want to plan a course, check out the farms listed below. It’s recommended that you visit their website, social media pages or call or text to confirm that they are open and still have crop available that day for picking. It’s not uncommon for ripe strawberries to be picked over by noon each day. 

And, just in case the farm doesn’t have containers available, it’s always good to bring one with you! 

There is a bit of an art to picking a strawberry properly, and you can chat with someone on site to help you get it right. Generally, you’ll want to grasp the stem just above the berry, and pull with a slight twisting motion. Then, carefully place the berry in the container, and be certain not to overfill it or try to “tamp down” the berries you’ve already harvested. And, please, be mindful of where you place your feet and knees while you’re picking! 

Photos: James River Media

CLOSE TO LYNCHBURG 

Seaman’s Orchard: Seaman’s Orchard is about 30 minutes north of Lynchburg, just off of U.S. 29. The operation planted its first strawberry patch in fall 2003, and its strawberries are grown on raised beds on top of plastic in clean, green grass rows. (434-277-8130)

Yoder’s Farm: In Rustburg, 20 minutes south of Lynchburg, Yoder’s Farm is a family-run diverse operation, which produces juicy Chandler and other varieties of strawberries for its customers. The farm has spacious, well-strawed row access to make picking strawberries as easy and user-friendly as possible. There is also convenient parking available for visitors. (434-401-4864)

Photo: James River Media

CLOSE TO DANVILLE 

Bachelor Hall Farms: On the western side of Danville, just off of U.S. 58, Bachelor Hall Farms has been doing strawberries since 1996 and calls itself “pretty much the only organic operation within 100 miles.” In addition to the robust supply of strawberries, visitors can find produce such as broccoli and collards. (434-685-7959)

Motley’s Strawberry Farm: Easy to access near the crossroads of the intersection of U.S. 29 and Virginia 40 in Gretna, Motley’s Strawberry Farm does a hearty business of pick-your-own and prepicked strawberries during the late spring and early summer months. The farm has beautiful, easy-to-traverse rows and has a very active presence on Facebook. (434-656-2838)

Of course, you’ll need something fun to do with any strawberries you pick. Laura Ann Pollack, who works at Healthy Chesapeake and encourages kids to “try the rainbow” of food in a program she started called Color Your Plate, offers this amazing recipe: 

Whipped Strawberry Bites 

• 24 fresh strawberries 
• 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries½ cup shortbread cookies, crumbled
• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 
• ¾ cup confectioners’ sugar 
• 1 teaspoon bourbon vanilla extract

Photo: James River Media

Core and hull strawberries (tip: use a straw). Use a food processor to crumble the freeze-dried strawberries into a powder, and set aside. Use the same food processor to crumble the shortbread cookies, and set aside. Combine cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar into a mixing bowl. Using a mixer, start with a low speed, and gradually increase speed to blend ingredients. Mix for 2 minutes on high speed for a smooth and fluffy texture. Adjust the speed to the lowest setting, and add the bourbon vanilla extract. Slowly add the freeze-dried strawberries until fully incorporated. Fill a piping bag with strawberry filling, and use it to squeeze into fresh strawberry. Top with crumbled shortbread cookies. ✦