By Malinda Geisler, content specialist, Ag Marketing Resource Center, Iowa State University.

Profile revised May 2011.


Overview
A pick-your-own, or U-pick, farm allows consumers to harvest produce themselves. Therefore, the farm requires less labor for harvesting. Tasks such as grading, storing and packing are eliminated.

Like many ag enterprises, this type of operation requires long work hours. Most pick-your-own business takes place on weekends. It usually requires more liability insurance. To attract customers, the farm's location needs to be appealing. Parking is another critical factor and should be within reasonable walking distance of the production site. Poor weather can keep customers from visiting the farm.

In 2010 the United States produced 2.85 billion pounds of strawberries valued at $2.2 billion. Winter production is dominated by Florida. California grows the majority of all strawberries produced in the United States. Fresh strawberry per capita consumption was 6.4 pounds in 2008.

According to the 2008 Organic Production Survey, there were 673 strawberry farms certified for organic production in the United States. They produced 42.4 million pounds of organic strawberries valued at $43.7 million.


Source
Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), USDA.

2008 Organic Production Survey, NASS, USDA, 2010.

The United States leads world in strawberry production, Economic Research Service (ERS), USDA, 2005.

U.S. per capita food availability,  ERS, USDA.


Other Links

• Berries, Cornell University - This site has a variety of resources related to strawberry production and marketing.
• Find a (Strawberry) Grower, North American Strawberry Growers Association.
• Finke's Berry Farm, Carlton, Minnesota - Finke's Berry Farm is a family operation that focuses on the 11 acres of strawberries and two acres of blueberries. The main emphasis on the Berry Farm is "pick-your-own," although the ready-picked strawberry market increases every year.
• Hazeltine Strawberries, Janesville, Wisconsin - Offers about 12 acres of pick-your-own strawberries. Pre-picked strawberries, fall red raspberries and asparagus are also available. 
• Kelder's Farm and U-Pick, Kerhonksen, New York - This farm offers pick-your-own strawberries along with blueberries and raspberries. It has a greenhouse with flowering annuals, perennials and vegetables.
• Larriland Farm, Woodbine, Maryland - Strawberries have been grown on this farm for more than 30 years. In addition to 14 acres of strawberries, the farm raises tart cherries, several varieties of raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, apples, peaches, nectarines and vegetables.
• North American Strawberry Growers Association - This grower-based association supports ongoing research and educational activities.
• Strawberries & More, University of Illinois Extension - This site has information on growing, selecting and caring for strawberries. 

 Links checked May 2011.