COCHRAN, Ga. (Farm Monitor) — Thanks to favorable weather, Earl and Leigh Ann Greene of Greene Acres Farm have seen record-breaking yields for their operation. U-pick farms give people a chance to see exactly where their food comes from, and in central Georgia, one operation is off to a strong start this season.
Earl says this year’s strawberry harvest is shaping up to be one of their best seasons yet.
“This is probably one of the best seasons we’ve ever had,” he said. “They started early and are going to finish strong. As long as the weather stays out of those 95’s, we will have strawberries right on for at least another three weeks.”
Greene says production has been so strong that they’re struggling to keep up, with other strawberry farms in the area seeing similar results. However, that kind of success did not come easy.
Growers had to navigate fluctuating temperatures earlier in the season, including a late frost that forced many to adjust quickly. Now, with those challenges behind them, farmers are seeing the payoff from months of planning and work.
Leigh Ann says part of the experience is helping children who visit the farm understand what it takes to grow their food: “It takes sunshine, it takes water, it takes effort. It takes work to make things grow.”
According to the USDA’s latest Local Food Survey, you-pick farms are part of the $400 million direct-to-consumer sales category.
