Pick-your-own, PYO or U-Pick, It all spells fun for the entire family
Jefferson City, Mo. - Do your kids know vegetables and fruits come from a farm and not from the store? Have they ever picked apples or cherries right out of the tree? If your answer is “no,” visit a U-pick farm this summer.
The word “fresh” gets a whole new meaning when you have a choice to pick your own produce right from the farm. U-pick farms offer a great way to get your kids outside and active, while also supporting local family farmers.
Experience the joy of picking your own produce in one of Missouri’s u-pick farms
Picking your own food means you can gather all the fresh ingredients yourself. The apples in your apple pie, the berries in your shakes or the juicy tomatoes on your burgers will undoubtedly taste better than produce of unknown origin.
Missouri‘s pick-your-own farms combine entertainment with agricultural activities, and many U-pick farms feature more than just fields of produce. Many farms feature gift shops with local souvenirs, including homemade jams, locally raised honey, salad dressings, chutneys and salsas, and cookbooks or recipe cards for using ingredients raised on the farm. Some even offer fresh-baked pies and breads or refreshment stands. Many farms have picnic areas, too.
Fresh baked cookies right inside the farm
June is the beginning of summer vacation and is also the start of blueberry season. Persimmon Hill Farm, in Lampe, Mo., is a place where visitors can sample berries that are not sprayed with any chemical pesticides. The farm provides buckets and bags—everything visitors need to pick.
Located just south of Kansas City is The Berry Patch, Missouri’s largest blueberry grower. Apart from picking blueberries (and blackberries beginning in July), kids can enjoy the berry train and a giant haybale mountain maze. Enjoy the three acres of berries in Meyer’s Berry Tree Farm located in Dixon. Farm animals, hay wagon rides, and bonfires make for a full day of fun on the farm. Other fun berry-picking farms to check out this summer are the Heritage Family Farms in Webb City, the Carter Blueberry Farm in Neosho and the Schweizer Orchards in St. Joseph.
While June is mostly berry season, July and August bring juicy peaches and sweet apples. Visit the Sunshine Valley Farm in Rogersville, offering 20 varieties of apples through the month of October. The Thierbach Orchards in Marthasville offers peaches from July-August and apples in the fall. For more than 80 years, The Schreiman Orchards, near Waverly, have boasted some of the best peaches and apples in Missouri. If you prefer organically grown fruit, don’t miss the Blue Heron Orchard in Canton, which became the first certified organic apple orchard in the state of Missouri in 1990. Centennial Farms in Augusta has been around for about 150 years offering not only “a taste of history” but also seasonal fruits and vegetables.
It is always a good idea to call ahead to check the availability of the fruits and crops and hours of operation.
Whether you are looking for a hands-on experience or merely want a taste of the country life, Missouri’s U-pick farms can introduce young children to life on the farm and offer a slice of agricultural nostalgia for grown ups. At the end of the day, everyone has a sense of accomplishment at having gathered their own food.
For detailed information on the list of u-pick farms, go to http://www.agrimissouri.com/cgi-bin/agbguide.cgi. To learn more about great family activities in Missouri, or to order a free copy of the Official 2010 Missouri Travel Guide, log on to www.VisitMO.com, or call 800-519-4800.
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Contact:
Sarah Luebbert
Missouri Division of Tourism
573-522-5501
Sarah.Luebbert@ded.mo.gov
