by SHAYLYNN MARKS
Sponsored by Visit Central Florida
At Haines Family Farm, blueberry season is measured in more than pounds picked; it’s defined by the lasting memories made by friends and families walking the farm’s lush rows together. For owner Steve Berry, the farm’s u-pick operation has become both a business strategy and a community experience — one rooted in fresh food, local agriculture, and the simple pleasure of spending time outside.
“We feel very privileged to be able to deal with local people as if they’re family and friends,” Berry says.
Growing Into U-Pick
Berry became involved with Haines Family Farm as an owner in 2016, when the property was already operating as a commercial blueberry farm. The farm primarily grows Arcadia, a southern highbush blueberry variety.
For years, the farm in Haines City operated mainly on the commercial side of the industry until they launched their u-pick operation in 2024, which is now in its third season. Berry says the shift made sense because of the rapid growth surrounding the farm.
“When we bought into this farm, we felt we were somewhat off-grid,” he says. “We are no longer off-grid. We are surrounded by thousands and thousands of new homes.”
A Simple, Fresh-Air Experience
The u-pick process at Haines Family Farm is designed to be easy. Visitors park, check in, grab a picking pail, and walk a short distance to the picking area. Staff members help guide guests toward the best fruit and answer questions for first-time pickers.
Most experienced pickers are on-site for less than an hour, but others linger for the experience. For some, it is a family outing. For others, it is a chance to stock up on fresh berries for baking, smoothies, or freezing for later in the year.
A Fresher Connection
Berry says many guests appreciate the farm-to-table experience of picking berries directly from the bush, especially when compared with fruit that may spend days in transit before reaching a grocery store shelf.
“For all u-pick farms, we provide a unique competition to the grocery stores,” he says.
“The berries [our u-pickers are getting] are the best, ripest, sweetest, most nutritious berries you can find.”
The educational component often happens naturally. Staff members answer questions, families compare berries in the field, and younger visitors see firsthand how blueberries grow. For Berry, those everyday interactions have become one of the most meaningful parts of opening the farm to visitors.
“It is extremely rewarding to have someone remember your name and tell you that you are improving their life in a small way,” he says.
Weathering the Season
Like many Central Florida blueberry growers, Haines Family Farm felt the effects of the freeze in late January and early February. Berry says the damage depended heavily on variety and timing. The farms with fruit already on the plants were hit especially hard. Fortunately for the Haines Family Farm, the freeze reduced commercial pounds, but the farm was not devastated.
“Because of our variety being kind of in the middle, not a real late variety and not a real early variety, we lost some productivity, but not enough to really be dramatically harmed,” Berry says.
He adds that the u-pick side helped offset some of the losses.
“While the freeze was detrimental, and our commercial pounds were reduced overall, we are seeing our local visitors and u-pick is selling more pounds and helping greatly,” he said.
Building a Local Destination
Berry says visitor numbers have been growing, and the farm is still learning how to expand the experience. The long gap between blueberry seasons gives them time to plan, test ideas, and decide what fits.
“Our goal is to add a few more services and a variety of products that can provide weekly, monthly, or year-round revenue streams,” he says.
That includes blackberries, strawberries, peaches, pasture-raised eggs and other future possibilities that could have visitors consistently returning beyond blueberry season. Berry says the goal is not to turn the farm into something unrecognizable. Instead, he hopes to build a local gathering place where people can pick fruit, learn something, and enjoy the slower pace of farm life.
“We are encouraged daily by visitors who buy direct from the farm,” he says. “It is our customers who keep our spirits high.”
For residents and tourists alike looking for an authentic taste of the region, Haines Family Farm offers a sweet reminder that agriculture is still part of the area’s story — and sometimes the best way to experience it is with a bucket in hand.