Upon realizing that there wasn't a local strawberry grower within 30 miles, Aubie Smith - whose Ooltewah farm has been in his family for years - partnered with Bill Perry to start Smith-Perry Berries.
Aubie Smith, left, and Bill Perry hold buckets of strawberries picked from their farm.
Strawberries grow in the field at Smith-Perry Berries."No one in this area grew them any longer, so we were feeling a need in this area," Perry said. "It gives people an opportunity to get back out into the country and visit a working farm, and also support the local farmers."
This is their first year growing strawberries, which fans of the juicy red fruit can pick themselves for $3 a pound or purchase pre-picked for $3.50 a pound. The farm provides the containers.
"We had [pick your own] sunflowers last year, and it drew a lot of attention," Smith said. "We thought we'd give something for people to come in the springtime and pick."
The strawberries, which have been available since late April, will probably last until the first week of June. The farm will have sunflowers again beginning in July, for a cost of $15 for as many as you can fit into a container, and will also offer sweet corn at the same time. Once the strawberries are gone, they'll plant watermelons and pumpkins in the same spot. Then, in the fall, they'll offer pick-your-own watermelon and pumpkins as well as corn and hay for seasonal decorations, said Smith.
He said picking at the farm is a great family activity - they've seen pickers ages 1-80 - which is fitting, since the venture been a family activity for the farmers as well.
"We had a lot of family and friends helping with the project," Perry said. "If it wasn't for them, there's no way we could have been as successful as we've been."
Smith-Perry Berries is located at 9626 Ooltewah-Georgetown Road. The farm is open Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hours on Monday and Tuesday depend on weather and berry availability.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.
Customers pick strawberries at Smith-Perry Berries.