Ever wondered what’s it like to work on a farm and to pick vegetables? Have you ever wanted to pick your own fruit that is in season?
Farmers have found a way to connect us city dwellers to their world even for a moment. A moment to educate and share the fruits of the land. The word for this called agritourism.
An abundance of vineyards and organic farms makes California a top agritourism destination. More than a third of the vegetables and two-thirds of the fruits and nuts grown in the U.S. come from California.
I live in the city and long for a connection with the land and the food we eat. I’ve always been the first one wanting to pick tomatoes or wanted vegetable or fruit in season.
I’m in Tulsa, Oklahoma surrounded by farmlands, I knew for sure there had to be places for me to pick fruit that are in season.
I did some quick research and discovered a couple of blueberry farms driving distance from me. These farms offered agritourism. So I made plans to visit each one. The first one I visited was Thunderbird Berry Farm and the second one was Endicott Farms.
Read on to see if this is something you would want to do either by yourself or even with family and friends.
Blueberry picking 101 at Thunderbird Berry Farm
ABOUT THUNDERBIRD BERRY FARM
“Thunderbird Berry Farm is a family owned and operated business that opened the summer of 2005 in Broken Arrow OK. We are a four generation operation that was started by the patriarch of the family, Donald Hansen. Our hope is to provide you and your family with quality produce and a glimpse into farm life as you are able to pick your own berries.” They have a website and you can find them on Facebooks.
I drove to the farm, there a lovely gentleman who greeted me at the entrance and directed me where to park. He also told me where to get my bucket and that I could eat and pick as many berries that I wanted. I parked and went to the check in line to get my bucket and was told that the berries are $4 per lb. They also had a program you pick 3 and and 1 free. It was a way for the farm to also have berries to sell and the picker also gets to take some berries home.
The farm was open on Saturday from 7 am to 12 pm. I got there at 9 am and the sun was already unforgiving. I got my bucket and proceeded to the berry patch. They had over 100 rows of blueberries for the picking. I got started in the tasting and walking down each rows. I was also taking pictures and just enjoying being outside in the sun. There were parents with young children everywhere, but it was not too crowded. I had several rows all to myself and it was quite peaceful.
I didn’t want to get carried away and pick too many that I wouldn’t know what to do with them. There were berries of different varieties, size and ripeness. I couldn’t resist picking and eating them as I walked past the rows. I’m not sure how much went into my belly versus what ended up in the bucket. I paid for 1 pound of blueberries. I also purchased a jar of honey and blueberry jam.
Looking forward to my next farm visit…
Endicott Farms
Pecans & Berries
Endicott Farms, LLC is a 35-acre farm south of Tulsa, Oklahoma. We have 3 acres of berries and 20 acres
of native and improved variety pecans.
Blueberry and blackberries were available for picking at this farm. I got to the farm around 9:30 am. I just missed the early crowd and perfect before the later crowd. Endicott farm was open until 2 pm and more of schedule of hours is located on their website. The lady who gave me directions and bucket mentioned that the blackberries aren’t quite ready.
This time I was focused on picking more berries and eating less. I was also not taking pictures with my camera, instead I just used by cell phone to take them.
It was a beautiful farm with a pond close to the berry patch. There were also some shade provided by the large trees. I was able to enjoy picking for a longer amount of time.
This time I brought home three pounds of blueberries and some blackberries. I washed and froze them in the freezer.
I’m a big fan of agritourism. I think it’s a great way for the farmers and the community to connect.
I love the idea of being able to see where your food comes from and learn how it’s being grown. I loved the feeling of the warm berry kissed by the hot sun on my fingers. Enjoying the sweetness of mother nature’s gift.
I envy the farmers and those that have the gardens to grow their own vegetables and fruit to feed their family and community. The ability to grow food to nurture our body is something worthy of respect. I love being able to be part of this experience. I hope you too take the time and experience what it’s like to pick your own vegetables or fruits directly from the source.
Have you experienced agritourism? Share them with us below…
