The Good Ol’ Honor System

So it’s that time of year again…when the farmer’s markets are beginning to be full of fresh, local fruits and vegetables like squash, zucchini, strawberries, and watermelon.  It is also the time our neighbors start putting their produce out in a wagon at the end of the driveway for us to exchange for a few dollars in a can. That’s right…the good ol’ honor system is back!

Although the trusting business model certainly isn’t crime-proof, honor boxes remain a point of pride and practicality for many small farmers who would prefer to spend their time tending the crops than manning a roadside cart.

And truthfully, most customers end up leaving more money than they actually owe.  It’s a win-win situation because the farmer makes a larger profit and the customers leave feeling good about themselves.

In the agriculture industry, trust is extremely important.  As farmers, your consumers trust that the food you have produced is of high quality and safe.  So, why not trust your customers to do the right thing and bring back the good ol’ honor system?

So tell us – what are your thoughts or experiences with the honor system?

“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!