Berry farms

[Scott_in_WVA]

Does anyone know of or had any experience in raising berrys and selling them? I have some prime property I was thinking about testing the waters so to say.There is more money in berrys than in running beef cattle.Any suggestions or reading material would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[stmiller2]

Blueberries, strawberries, or brambles (e.g., blackberries)?

The Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium at http://www.smallfruits.org/ has some good information on each type.

The key is marketing.

 

[TerryinMD]

Scott,

Yes, a good business can be made in selling berries. However, the work involved during berry season is very labor intensive. Especially the havesting. Prior to diving into the venture, I suggest that you research the berry types, harvest times, and market conditions prior to planting.

If you are close to a populated area, setting up a "pick your own" operation may be good. Or a hybrid of pick your own and offering picked berries at a premium price. I know that my wife went to a hybrid operation and picked the fruit herself for two years. She then found out that the extra money paid out was cost effective (she buys the fruit to make jams and jellies to sell at a garden market). She also buys the fruit to sell fresh at the market. We are in the process of planning to increase the size of berry crops. We will still buy from our supplier as we need a lot of berries for our jams and jellies.

Terry

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Scott,

All I know about berry farms is that there is one near our property in Central Texas, <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.sweetberryfarm.com/>Sweet Berry Farm</A>, that does a great business, has wonderful berries (straw & black) and has been expanding their offerings every year. Laast year they added a maize maze.

Everyone knows where our property is when I tell them it's near the berry patch. It has developed quite a following in the 3 or 4 years it's been open. Good luck!

 

[Scott_in_WVA]

I was thinking blueberries and brambles.
I will be able to re-tire from my job in 7 years(if I want)and I am only 44 years old and I like to stay active and I thought something like this would be a good way to make some extra income right from home.If I started now and added more over 7 years I could have a pretty good operation set up in 7 years.

 

[TerryinMD]

Don't exclude strawberries!

People love to pick, buy, and eat them. I know that around my area, stawberry season is loved by all. Mention that you just found a new strawberry farm and you MUST tell them where it is. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Terry

 

[Blackberry1]

Scott,
Over the last couple of years I have been testing different varieties of raspberries and blackberries and am considering putting in an acre of blackberries next spring. They seem to sell very well an my in-laws roadside market. Blackberries are much more productive than raspberries and in southern Michigan they seem willing to pay the same price as raspberries. The Chickasaw thorny blackberry seems to be extremely productive and of extra-large size. Check out Simmons Plant Farm or Pense Nursery on the internet for the best prices on bare root plants.
Blackberry1