Wisconsin Farmers Offer Specialty Products, Memorable Experiences
In partnership with: Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Wisconsin farms come in all sizes, and their values and goals are as diverse as their crops. For two growers in different parts of the state, the experiences they offer are as important as their specialty products.
Blue Ridge Growers: Pick-Your-Own Blueberries and More
Jill Barthen Berke affectionately calls her 40 acres “blueberry hill.” About half of her farm is used for hay, pasture and pick-your-own blueberries and tart cherries.
In 1991, Barthen Berke and her husband, Dennis, bought farmland on a bluff outside River Falls in west-central Wisconsin. She planted her first 150 blueberry bushes in 1993, and the business took off from there.
“We now have more than 800 bushes and six different varieties,” she says.
See more: Agritourism Destinations to Visit in Wisconsin
From the start, Barthen Berke carefully considered her most important crop.
“I have an academic background in public health, nutrition and horticulture,” she says. “So I chose a tasty fruit that has high antioxidant properties and can be used for fresh eating, canning, pastries and cooking – blueberries.”
She’s always valued her customers as much as her berries.
“I wanted a fruit that all ages could enjoy,” she says. “Blueberry bushes can be easily picked while standing, sitting on a bench or from a wheelchair.”
In an ever-evolving industry, Blue Ridge Growers also sells to a local grocery cooperative. “And this year we partnered with Tattersall Distilling, providing fresh blueberries for entrees, desserts and cocktails,” she says.
A visit to Blue Ridge Growers is a comprehensive experience. “We pride ourselves in providing an education about the various varieties, sizes, flavors and uses,” Barthen Berke says. “Visitors are encouraged to hike the ridge, feed our sheep and two donkeys, and enjoy a picnic. Visitors come back again and again because they enjoy the rural experience and the liberty to pick varieties of fruit they prefer.”
Four Acres Flowers: Pick-Your-Own Tulips
In south-central Wisconsin, Erin Avila-Vissers is just as passionate about her customers. With her husband, Carlos, she owns a 4-acre pick-your-own flower farm in DeForest, north of Madison.
“Visitors love getting close to the blooms. They take photos, and we provide beautiful U-pick baskets,” Avila-Vissers says. “It’s quiet out here, so they really get a full visual experience, enjoying the land. It’s almost therapeutic.”
Avila-Vissers’ family moved to the property in November 2021. “Our journey began by cleaning it up,” she says.
Four Acres Flowers specializes in tulips, a graceful flower that appeals to both her heritage and artistic side.
“My father and grandfather are Dutch, and the Netherlands is famous for tulips,” she says. “My background is strongly based in art, photography and environmental interests, so it just felt right for our land and dream.”
Avila-Vissers also realized she didn’t have enough property to be a large producer, so she decided to grow a colorful, high-impact product on a smaller scale.
“Flowers seemed to fit best,” she says. “We have around 24,000 tulip bulbs, hand-planted directly in our grass field, about 6 to 8 inches apart for better air flow and spacing.”
Her farming methods prevent diseases and deter deer and other pests with fencing and scents.
Tulips bloom in spring, so Avila-Vissers is expanding her operation to include flowers from other seasons. “Our plan is to have a few U-cut events during late summer and fall.”
Avila-Vissers looks forward to her customers having more opportunities to get out on the farm year-round.
“Wisconsin has a strong community of agricultural tourism that offers everyone a chance to experience farm life, even if it’s only for an afternoon,” Avila-Vissers says. “I love the connection people have with my flowers. This spring, I walked up to a customer who hugged and thanked me for bringing such beauty. She was brought to tears.”