PickYourOwn.org
Where you can find a pick-your-own farm near you!
 ResourcesForFarmers
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 This month's notes: July 2008: Blueberries are here all parts of the U.S. Strawberries are declining or gone, except the far north. Peaches are coming! Don't miss them! Blackberries are fading in the South and going strong in the north. Find a blueberry festival or peach festival near you! Organic farms are still not common, but any that are, have the word ORGANIC by their name! Check out my easy canning instructions / recipes, canning equipment guide or How to make ice cream and ice cream making equipment and manuals
Please tell the farms you found them here - and ask them to update their information!!!

Resources for Farmers

Are you interested in starting a PYO operation?  Or you are looking for information to help manage your operation better?

See this page for our advertising and assist

Here are some of the U-pick-specific resources I've found on the internet:

How to start a pick-your-own or other agri-entertainment operation

Supplies and management services

  • Containers for your customers
  • Water Management and crop enhancement  - M&D Enterprises has a water management program which they say will increase the efficiency of water. Reduce runoff which will reduce erosion, increase effectiveness of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers, elimination of dry spots on lawns, pastures, crop fields, and alfalfa. Seed treatment for germination and root growth. A liquid micronutritional fertilizer supplement to help maximize crop yield.

Farmer's Organizations:

More research for farmers

 

Who Is The Typical PYO Customer?
 according to the University of Wisconsin

  • Age: One-fourth are over 62, and 43% are 26-45 
  • Education: Nearly 60% are educated beyond high school, with one-third being college graduates. 
  • Income: Two-thirds have annual household incomes over $25,000, and one-fifth have incomes over $50,000. 
  • Spend at the PYO: One-third spend between $5 and $10 per visit.  One-fourth spend less than $5.  One in 10 purchase $20 or more per visit. 
  • Found the farm by: Over half learned of the market through word-of-mouth.  (obviously this study was done before www.pickyourown.org! :)
  • Far far to go: Eighty percent traveled less than 40 miles to get to the farm. 
  • Want organic: Nearly half are concerned about the use of agricultural chemicals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newsletters

Florida Berry/Vegetable Times
Massachusetts Berry Notes
Michigan State University Fruit Crop Advisory Team (CAT) alerts
Ontario Berry Newsletter
Strawberry IPM update
The New York Berry News

Nursery Selection

Guide:http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/Berries/nurseries/index.html
Lists of available cultivars of North American berry crops and nurseries that sell them.

Publications, Factsheets, Infosheets

Minnesota Apple & Strawberry Reports
Ontario Agriculture and Food: Berry Page
PSU Small Fruits web site
Strawberry Eats & Treats - The Guide to Enjoying Strawberries
U. of Florida Strawberry Lab
U. of Vermont Berry Links

Organizations in the states and Canadian provinces that are interested in berries, small fruit, etc.

Strawberries

California Strawberry Commission
Florida Strawberry Growers Association
BC Strawberries.com - Fraser Valley Strawberry Growers Association
N C Strawberry Association
Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission

Blueberries

British Columbia Blueberry Council
MBG Blueberry Marketing Cooperative
North American Blueberry Council
Wild Blueberry Association of North America

Brambles

British Columbia Raspberry Growers' Association
British Columbia Raspberry Industry Development Council
North American Bramble Growers Association
Oregon Raspberry and Blackberry Commission
Home of the Washington Red Raspberry Commission

Cherries

California Cherry Commission
Cherry Marketing Institute

Cranberries

Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association
Maine Cranberry Growers' Association
Washington Cranberry Commission

General - United States

California Tree Fruit Agreement
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association
Michigan State Horticultural Society
Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association
New England Produce Council
Northwest Horticultural Council
Northwest Berry and Grape Information Network
Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research
Prairie Fruit Growers Association
Texas Produce Association
United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association
Washington State Fruit Commission
Washington State Horticultural Association

General - International

Canadian Horticulture Council
Canadian Produce Marketing Association
Fruit Growers Society of Alberta
Histoire naturelle des fraisiers
Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association
Ontario Produce Marketing Association
Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Ltd.

Resources

Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (USDA)

Cornell Fruit Resources - Your gateway to information at Cornell University, the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station & related programs.

http://www.hightunnels.org -- This website is part of a USDA-sponsored project that is testing and promoting high tunnel systems in the Central Great Plains.

National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service http://www.attra.ncat.org/horticultural.html

New England Small Farm Institute -- A private non-profit organization supporting beginning farmers and sustainable small scale agriculture throughout New England.

North Carolina Berry Agent

Pesticide.net

The Rodale Institute

Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium

The California Strawberry Commission

 

Remember to ALWAYS call the farm or orchard BEFORE you go - weather, heavy picking and business conditions can always affect their hours and crops!

PYO Farms in Other Countries: [ Australia ] [ Canada ] [ South Africa ] [ New Zealand ] [ United Kingdom ]

Our other free, informative sites you may like:

Questions, comments, corrections and suggestions or want to recommend a farm to add? 
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Permission is given to link to any page on www.pickyourown.org 

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