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MB Pick - Your - Own Farms Offer Benefits to Producers and Consumers

Demand is increasing for more locally-grown foods, and for those consumers who do not mind doing a little work themselves, pick-your-own-produce-farms provide a source for consumers to obtain fresh produce at lower prices than retail.

These operations provide benefits to both producer and consumer.  Producers are able to make produce available at lower prices because the customers do the picking, thus saving producers time and the labor cost for harvesting.  Consumers benefit by paying lower prices and having the ability to select and pick the produce they buy.

This issue of the Market Bulletin includes the first of its spring/summer listing of pick-your-own produce farms for 2009. For those who have never visited a pick your own produce operation, there are several factors to consider when determining if the trip will be worth the time and cost.

For example, since you will be supplying your own labor, consider the travel distance to the farm and the costs of fuel. This is an important consideration if you hope to save money on your produce.  If the travel distance is too great, the trip may not be worth it, even if the prices are lower than retail.  However, if having fresh picked produce is important to you or you are planning the trip more as a recreational activity, then distance and cost of travel may not be of great concern.

Before making the trip, be sure to call ahead to inquire about price and availability of produce.  It would be disappointing to arrive at a farm only to find the produce you want is not available at that time or the price is more than you care to pay.

Consumers also should note and obey all rules and regulations posted by owners at their picking locations.  In providing their produce at lower prices, the owners take the risk that their crops may be damaged by unconcerned, careless or inexperienced consumers.  By following the owner’s guidelines for picking, consumers will help insure they will have a safe and enjoyable experience while helping to protect the farm property.

Following are some general guidelines to keep in mind when visiting pick-your-own operations: 

Note the farm’s rules regarding the use of containers.  Some farms provide picking and take-home containers, while other farms may provide only picking baskets or buckets or no containers at all.

If you carry your own containers, make certain they are appropriate for the crop you are picking.  For example, use smaller picking and transporting containers for berries to minimize bruising.  When picking larger fruits and vegetables, consider the weight of the container when full.  For instance, a full bushel basket can get heavy after hauling it around the field or orchard and then having to carry it to the check out area.

Upon arrival at the picking site, look for the location of check-in and check-out areas.  And before picking, note whether you will be charged according to weight, volume or count.  Also, inquire if there is a minimum quantity requirement.

Look for field personnel that can help guide you to crops of harvestable quality and advise you of which crops, fields, or rows are off limits.  These individuals often wear distinctive clothing, such as a cap or shirt, to make them easily identifiable.  If there is no one to guide you, read and obey all signs and follow directions to know where and what to pick.

Picking fields or orchards may be located a distance from the parking area.  If this poses a problem for you or one of your party, contact the farm in advance and inquire if it provides transportation to and from the picking areas.  Some farms have more accommodations than others, so inquire about the availability of drinking water, rest room facilities and rest areas before making the trip to the farm.

Adhering to these simple guidelines will help to insure you will have a productive and enjoyable outing.