Planted a blueberry u-pick a few years ago and tested the market yesterday at Farmers Market. Great success. Many people have called and set up appointments for picking themselves. Had been told that in such a rural area I wouldn't find people who liked and would pick or even buy blueberries. I am a couple of hours from any sizeable town. Hope my Christmas Trees do as well. Maybe someday this farm will make a go of it!!

-- Debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), June 13, 2001

Answers

I'm glad your enterprise is going to work out. I live in southeast TX and there is a pick your own blueberry farm a few miles from here. They have something like 15 acres and in May they are very busy. I went last year and got about 30 lbs, half of which I gave to my parents, grandparents, etc and half I kept. I still have blueberries and so didn't pick this year, but I know that they are busy every time I've been, even on weekdays.

They did something neat--when I picked last year they had these little post card sized forms--reminders--that they asked if you wanted to fill one out and they'd mail it next season when the berries started to ripen. I had forgotten I had filled one out but I got it in the mail about two weeks ago. I know postage would be a lot for something like that, but they're big enough to afford it. They also run an ad in the local rag during the season.

-- HannahMariaHolly (hannahholly@hotmail.com), June 13, 2001.

Debbie, this is so exciting that you are starting to see the fruits of your labors (no pun intended). I don't think the location is a problem per se, but it is more about reaching those in your area to remind them you are there. Blueberry picking is so often that spur of the moment idea that someone gets rather than something they do religiously every year so you need to remind people when it is time to come like the post card idea. You could offer a sign up list for e-mail notification as well or instead because that is certainly cheaper. Put up flyers in your local hangouts to remind people that it is time to pick blueberries and run ads in the local newspaper. If you have a place that is not too hard to find, you have an easy setup for the customer and you have a helpful/friendly attitutude when they show up, you will get repeat customers. Also, if you have animals and a convenient place to pen them so that children can see them or even pet them when they come, that can encourage more visits as well. Great to hear a success story.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), June 13, 2001.

I have never been to a blueberry u-pick. What state are you in,what do you charge, and for how much? ~And congratulations on starting a wonderful venture.~Brenda

-- Brenda (brenclark@alltel.net), June 13, 2001.

Thanks, your right about mailing list and all this is are plans (can you tell I am a little excited) We bought this land about 3 years ago and immediately made plans for the u-pick. Next year will be the big year so this year is getting my name out. We set up six bee hives which are going into their 3rd year (Lost one). My husband is still working full time but we hope he can quit someday. Planted the beginning of a Christmass Tree Farm and the extension officer has asked me to put in a pumkin patch because he gets calls from the schools all the time. We have hay fields so could do some mazes with that and also have horses, one in which can pull a trailer for rides but that sounds like too much insurance so will go with the tractor and trailer rides. Have sheep so there will be a petting area for the weaned lambs. I guess I am trying to eventually make some money off the property. The hives will but alot of work and you really need alot of hives. Thinking of putting in 10 this next year because I get calls all the time if I have any honey left to sell, which I don't. I think the sheep cost more than they could ever bring in, I might sell off most and keep just enough for us and to have in an area to keep kids interested in the farm. Got to have animals! Now that we see the blueberries will sell next year we will put in another acre of them. There is some grant in OK.(out of OK>St. University) that asked us to put in grapes and they would put the irrigation in so they could test mulch, it sounds fishy to us so I think we'll forgo and put out own irrigation in plus I never had the desire to do grapes. Hopefully in the next five years we might make a living off the land or at least close to it. Oh someone asked how you sell, I sell by the pound - I checked out Walmart and did it for 1/4th the price and made money plus the customers were excited.

-- Debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), June 13, 2001.