By Marianna Spence, CFSA’s Membership Coordinator

 

You know what pretty much made my May? Reading the NC Agriculture Commissioner’s announcement that blueberry farmers are expecting a bumper crop after suffering a 50%+ crop loss in 2017 courtesy of a very late freeze. Some even suffered a total loss after making the tough decision to prune their remaining crop in preparation for this year. While the announcement has me most excited for the farmers, I’m also planning no fewer than five trips to Pick-Your-Own (PYO) farms this summer (and at least as many blueberry pies!).

To help you plan your PYO adventure, we’ve put together a list of CFSA-Member Farms with blueberries, blackberries, and more coming into season – one’s even got a Catch-Your-Own trout pond!

Tips on Planning Your Pick-Your-Own Trip:

  • Decide what type of farm you’d like to visit (no-spray? Certified Organic?).
  • Check the farm’s website or call its hotline for specific details, weather-related closures, extended hours or “picked over” closures. Many farms have a phone number with a voicemail message that tells you the day’s conditions and hours.
  • Pack your sunscreen, water bottle, and sturdy shoes.
  • Pack your family and friends!
  • Take cash just in case the farm can’t process cards or accept checks.
  • Can’t find a farm near you on our list? Check out Pickyourown.org for a list of farms across the region.

Jump to: Mountains NC, Triangle, NC, Coastal Plains NC, Upstate SC, Midlands SC


Mountains NC

Long Branch Environmental Education Center, Paul Gallimore

  • Location: 278 Boyd Cove Rd. Leicester, NC 28748
  • Online:
  • PYO: Heritage red raspberries, wineberries, native black cap raspberries, native blackberries, thornless blackberries, Himalayan blackberries, and many different varieties of blueberries; catch-your-own trout pond.
  • Growing Practices: Practices are Earth Friendly and without chemicals or synthetic herbicides/pesticides/fertilizers.
  • Other Details:
    • Open all day, every day
    • Call and/or email to let us know you’re coming!

Hickory Nut Gap Farm, Jamie & Amy Ager

  • Location: 57 Sugar Hollow Rd, Fairview, NC 28730
  • Online:
  • PYO: Blueberries, black raspberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
  • Growing Practices: Certified Organic.
  • Other Details: 
    • Farm store is open daily from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    • Check social media for updates. 


Triad NC

Plum Granny Farm, Cheryl Ferguson & Ray Tuegel
 
  • Location: 1041 Flat Shoals Rd., King, NC 27021
  • Online:
  • PYO: Blackberries (thornless)
  • Growing Practices: Certified Organic; additionally, don’t use any sprays on the berries (even those approved for organic production).
  • Other Details:
    • Typically open on Sunday afternoons and sometimes offer “twilight picking” events on Monday evenings. Since the schedule varies, it’s best to check the farm’s voice message: 336-994-2517 or website. Always confirm that the farm will be open for picking prior to coming!
    • Blackberry harvest season typically starts with a July 4th PYO, depending on conditions. Unlike most of their events, this one is usually held in the morning.
    • Other farm products are also offered at the PYO, including what’s at their farm stand (e.g. garlic, potatoes).


 

Triangle NC

Minka Farm, Kim & Brian Harry
  • Location: 120 Minka Farm Lane, Efland, NC 27243 – follow sign to orchard
  • Online:
  • PYO:
    • June-July: blueberries
    • June-Aug: apples
    • Aug-Sept: muscadine grapes
  • Growing Practices: No-spray orchard.
  • Other Details:
    • Open most days that fruit is available from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
    • Call to verify hours and availability: 919-304-4999. You may also check on Facebook, the website, or Twitter feed.
 
Camellia Forest Nursery & Tea Gardens, Christine & David Parks
 
  • Location: 620 Hwy 54 West, Chapel Hill, NC
  • Online:
  • PYO: Fresh tea leaves to make your own tea.
  • Growing Practices: Permaculture, pesticide-free Camellia sinensis tea gardens
  • Other Details:
    • Reservations for PYO weekends in July and August, after initial training on tea.
    • Workshops are scheduled for July 14 and 15, as well as by request. Attendees will learn to make their own tea (white, green, oolong, and black).
 
Herndon Hills Farm, Nancy Herndon
 
 
‘Tween Towns Farm, Chuck Bishku
 
  • Location: 546 Walnut Grove Road, Oxford, NC 27565
  • Online:
  • PYO: Blueberries
  • Growing Practices: No-spray.
  • Other Details: Opens July 1. Please call ahead: 919-693-8591.
    • Tuesdays – Fridays from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
    • Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. 
 
The Vollmer Farm, Russ Vollmer
 
  • Location: 677 North Carolina 98 Hwy E, Bunn, NC 27508
  • Online:
  • PYO: Blueberries and blackberries
  • Growing Practices: Certified Organic.
  • Other Details:
    • Open Friday – Sunday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
    • Please check the website for day-of details, or call Russ if you have questions: 919-495-2724.
 
Accent on Annuals, John Monroe
 
  • Location: 6404 Amed Rd, Bahama, NC 27503
  • Online:
  • PYO: Blueberries
  • Growing Practices: Bushes are never sprayed but the rows are mowed. Provides picking buckets and a hand washing station that everyone is required to use before entering the fenced field. 
  • Other Details: 
    • Open during July, but not August.
    • Hours are Saturday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. 
    • Check website or call the blueberry “HOTLINE”: 919-471-5363 for up-to-date information. They appreciate a call for large groups.
 
Merry Hill, Lynne Holtkamp
 
  • Location: 2004 Ben Wilson Rd, Mebane, NC 27302
  • Online:
  • PYO: Industrial Hemp
  • Growing Practices: NC-licensed industrial hemp grower, producing without the use of synthetic pesticides, chemicals, or fertilizers.
  • Other Details:
    • Merry Hill is a Century Farm in its second year of growing hemp as part of several diversification projects to sustain the farm. 
    • Call or visit the website to reserve PYO dates/times: 919-563-8510.
Benjamin Vineyards, Andy & Nancy Zeman
 
  • Location: 6516 Whitney Rd, Graham, NC 27253
  • PYO: Muscadine Grapes
  • Growing Practices: No spray and pesticide free. CFSA Member for 15 years. NC Goodness Grows Farm.
  • Other Details:
    • Thursday – Sunday, 12 – 5 p.m. Season is August 30 – October 28.

 

Coastal Plains NC

Eagles Nest Berry Farm, Karyn Ring
 
  • Location: 1556 Currie Mill Rd., Jackson Springs, NC 27281
  • Online:
  • PYO: Blueberries, blackberries
  • Growing Practices: Blueberries are not sprayed; they’re organically fed (but not certified). Blackberries have not been converted to organic.
  • Other Details:
    • Open for PYO on Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays (through July and half of August) from 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. for blueberries. 
    • Call or text ahead to check availability: 910-639-3966.
 
New Ground Farm, Millard & Connie Locklear
 
  • Location: 292 Alvin Rd., Pembroke, NC 28372
  • Online:
  • PYO: Blueberries, blackberries, and dixie lea peas
  • Growing Practices: No-spray. GAP Certified.
  • Other Details:
    • Please call ahead: 910-674-1751.

 

Upstate SC

The Happy Berry, Walker & Ann Miller
 
  • Location: 510 Gap Hill Rd., Six Mile, SC 29682
  • Online:
  • PYO: Blackberries, blueberries, seedless grapes, figs, and muscadine grapes.
  • Growing Practices: Producing sustainably.
  • Other Details:
    • Open Monday – Saturday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

 

Midlands SC

Herb-n-Berries U-Pick Farm, Ed & Cathy Kvartek
 
  • Location: 148 Keeper Lane, Montmorenci, SC
  • Online:
  • PYO: Blueberries and thornless blackberries.
  • Growing Practices: USDA Certified Organic
  • Other Details:
    • Open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.