Pick Your Own at Penn Vermont Fruit Farm

Penn Vermont Fruit Farm is open for business, and that's definitely something to put on your calendar.

Going to Penn Vermont Fruit Farm is like visiting a plantation. The rolling hills and scenic views alone are worth the trip. It's off the beaten path, in the heartland of Bucks County-only the sounds of a breeze blowing through the current crops and sometimes some birds off in the distance.

Located just off of 113 in Bedminster, Pennsylvania, on Rolling Hills Road, you can pick your own strawberries, red raspberries, black raspberries, and blackberries, depending on what's in season. Not usually pick-your-own, the farm also produces apples, cantaloupes, peaches, and pears, along with a great variety of vegetables-including beets, corn, tomatoes, peppers, beans, peas, eggplant, and zucchini. They often have jams, jellies, cider, honey, and syrup throughout the year; and fall also is a fun time to go, when you can pick your own pumpkins and pick up some gourds and corn stalks.

The process is always very simplified and organized when you go to Penn Vermont. You'll see the farm up on the hill when you arrive, drive up a long driveway, and just follow the signs. There is always signage for what's in season and where to pick up your basket or where to purchase the produce that's not pick-your-own. They'll give you a basket and point you in the right direction if you're there to pick your own.

In the case of strawberries, they have little flags you can plant to indicate where in the row you stopped picking, just to save others some time. Say "Hi!" to Judy, and she'll show you where the best spots are for picking. There's a huge strawberry crop this year, with another crop already started for next year. What's so great about picking your own strawberries? Aside from the sweet scent of sun-baked strawberries? Just being out there and becoming part of the process that it takes to have a successful farm.

When you're there, you can fill out a card that they'll mail you to notify you when each new thing is in season, or you can call 215-795-0230 for details. The market is open daily, including Sundays, from June through December. Get it while you can!

Owned and operated by Ken and Judy Bupp since 1982, the farm is 58 acres that are now part of the Bucks County Land Preservation Program. Their soil conservation and water control practices have earned them the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts Farmer of the Year award. Their hard work and effort shows! Kudos to the whole Penn Vermont Fruit Farm family!