Warmer days provide a lot to be excited about, but the start of Pick-Your-Own season is something that we at Fair Farms look forward to all year long. Whether you like blueberries and strawberries, prefer to hold out until apple and pumpkin season, or like all of the above, the last thing you should have to worry about is whether or not you may be unintentionally exposing your family–or pollinators and other wildlife–to harmful chemicals. Luckily, there are a few Pick-Your-Own spots in Maryland that are committed to organic and pesticide-free farming. We’ve pulled together a list of family-friendly spots that don’t use dangerous pesticides, like Chlorpyrifos.
Happy picking!
Assateague Farm
This family-owned and operated farm near Assateague Island offers a variety of Pick-Your-Own treats including raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries. Check out their website for more information.
Berlin Organics
Berlin Organics is a small, family-owned farm and juice bar in Berlin, Md. The operation is the largest vertical farm in Maryland. For those of you wondering, a vertical farm is a farm which grows in vertically stacked layers – these layers can be made up of shelves, or integrated into buildings. The farm offers strawberries that you can pick yourself. Visit their website for more information.
Berry Daze LLC
Located in Southern Maryland, Berry Daze LLC has Pick-Your-Own organic blueberries. Along with the berries, the farm also sells sustainably-grown lavender. You can find more information here.
Frog Eye Farm
About 20 minutes outside of Frederick, Frog Eye Farm’s Pick-Your-Own season begins in mid-June. The farm has blueberries that you can pick yourself or purchase by the pint if you get tired of picking. More information can be found on their website.
Gorman Farms
Dave & Lydia Liker started Gorman Farms in 2008 and currently provide their fresh organic produce to over 600 local families through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Located in Laurel, Md., the farm offers annual strawberry picking in the spring time open to both CSA members and the general public.
Hybridoma Organic Fruit Farm
Hybridoma Organic Fruit Farm is a certified-organic farm located outside of Baltimore, in Baldwin, Md. The farm has Pick-Your-Own blueberries, black raspberries, and blackberries, plus limited quantities of gooseberries and blackcurrants as they mature in their season. This year, Hybridoma is collaborating with Pie Dough Bakery to sell pies and ice cream. Visit their website for hours and for more information.
Leaning Pine Farm
Located in Mt. Savage, Md., Leaning Pine Farm specializes in grass-fed beef and, for the first time this year, will be offering Pick-Your-Own raspberries in late June. Please visit their website for more information.
Pearlstone Center
Located in Baltimore County, the Pearlstone Center offers Pick-Your-Own strawberries starting in mid-May. Be sure to check their website before heading out to make sure that berries will be available. You can find more information here.
Do you have a favorite sustainable, Pick-Your-Own spot that isn’t listed? Let us know at info@fairfarmsnow.org!