“U-pick”, I pick, we all pick strawberries!

It’s true – nothing beats a fresh strawberry straight from the patch.  If you grew up on a farm, you most likely remember heading out to the garden, dusting off the dirt and devouring a few right then and there, before mom or dad caught you, of course!

If you aren’t growing your own strawberries this year, you should consider taking your family to participate in a “U-pick” at a local farm.  Here are a few tips for proper “U-pick” etiquette:

• Check in with a staff person to receive instructions and a bucket for picking
• Stay in the designated areas, fields, or rows
• Do not walk on or straddle the black plastic raised beds
• Supervise your children at all times
• Do not consume strawberries in the field
• Dress in comfortable clothes and closed toed shoes
• Do not bring pets
• Do not litter in the fields or other farm property

Here are a few suggestions for finding the best strawberries:

• Pick only fully red strawberries – white or green tips are not fully ripe and do not continue to ripen after being picked
• Size is not important – small berries are just as tasty, if not more than large ones
• Look deep in the center of plants for hidden strawberries
• Walk to the far end of the patch where fewer pickers venture for prime picking
• Don’t overfill your container – this crushes the berries at the bottom and causes some to fall onto the ground

“U-pick” farms can be a great source of family fun and delicious local produce. Visit your Department of Agriculture website to find “U-pick” farms in your area.  Be sure to comment and let us know where you are headed!

West Virginia recognizes top agritourism outfits

The Agriculture Department of West Virginia recognized in-state agritourism firms for helping to shine a light on the state's attributes, according to a press release.

The state conducted a February 29 Agritourism Workshop in Morgantown, where it distributed annual prizes and awards that celebrate exceptional advertising, promotion and publicity of destinations and attractions offered by the state. Betty Carver, state tourism commissioner recognized winners who were in attendance at the workshop late last month.

"Agritourism has become an important niche in the tourism industry. West Virginia farms and rural communities are experiencing an increased interest in the products they produce and the lifestyle they showcase," said Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass.

The top award for the best brochure for an attraction of event went to Heritage Farm, which was followed by Smoke Hole Outfitters and then Brookedale Farm. The best rack card was awarded to Mountain State Art & Craft Fair, followed by WV Strawberry Festival and New River Trail Rides.

Cello/Bloomery Plantation Distillery got the nod for best website, followed by West Virginia Strawberry Festival and then Mountain State Art & Craft Fair.

West Virginia set to host ag events

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture is preparing for two agricultural and farming events in the coming weeks, according to a press release.

The Agritourism Workshop is scheduled for February 29 and the West Virginia University's Extension Service's Small Farms Conference is slated for March 1 through 3. Both events are slated to be at the Waterfront Hotel in Morgantown and require separate registrations.

"Agritourism is a growing niche market that can help farm owners add another income stream to their farm operations," said Gus R. Douglass, commissioner of agriculture. "Besides being an income opportunity, agritourism helps connect the public with the source of their food, which creates a greater awareness of the good work done by farmers everywhere."

The Agritourism Workshop features two speakers, Hugh McPherson of Maize Quest and Donna Alt of Brookdale Farms. McPherson has franchised Maize Quest to more than 70 farms in the U.S., the U.K. and Canada. Brookdale Farms features a corn maze, interaction with animals and a farm in operation.

Douglass and Tourism Commissioner Betty Carver are scheduled to present 2012 West Virginia Agritourism Awards after lunch at the Agritourism Workshop.