Summer is berry-picking season in Whatcom County, and there’s no better way to celebrate than getting out on the farm, enjoying the sunny weather and plucking your own berries right off the vine.
With strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries all becoming available in the coming months, “u-pick” berry farms are the quintessential summer activity for Whatcom County residents and tourists alike.
Strawberries will be the first to come into season, happening in early June. Raspberries will follow in July, then blueberries and blackberries in early to mid-August.
Barbie Kraght has operated Barbie’s Berries since 1996. Barbie’s offers u-pick strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries, including a late-season variety of strawberries that will be available in August.
“You get to see where your food is coming from, how it's grown,” Kraght said. “You get a cheaper price. You just get the advantage of being out in God's creation and picking your own fruit, taking it home and preparing it however you'd like.”
While Kraght says u-pick isn’t the most lucrative way of operating a berry farm, it’s an important link between the community and its local farmers.
“By the time it's all said and done, it's basically a community service. We get a lot of programs like the Boys and Girls Club and different clubs come and pick for free. It's great for them,” Kraght said. “I just appreciate the community's support.”
The Boxx Berry Farm sign on June 4 in Ferndale, Wash. Boxx Berry Farm has offered Whatcom County residents the opportunity to pick their own berries for over 60 years. This summer will be its final season in operation before it closes in October. // Photo by Jonah Billings
Located in Ferndale, Boxx Berry Farm has offered fresh berries, vegetables and flowers for 65 years. The farm’s u-pick fields will open as soon as strawberries come into season.
“Boxx Berry Farm in Ferndale is a berry-picking staple,” said Becky Mandelbaum, communications director for Visit Bellingham. “This will be their last summer — next year the Port of Bellingham will purchase the land for agriculture research — so there’s even more reason to go and enjoy this special place while it’s still open to the public. There’s also a charming farm store, flowers, and beautiful views."
Bellingham Country Gardens has also garnered a solid reputation for their strawberry u-pick opportunities. For those looking for farms specializing in blueberries, Cascade Blueberry Farm, Nooksack Blueberries and Breckenridge Blueberries offer delicious options for both u-pick and retail purchase. Nooksack Blueberries in particular grows a remarkable nine different blueberry varieties.
Shumway’s Berries, in addition to the classics of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries, also grows tayberries, loganberries, boysenberries and marionberries for those looking to experience more uncommon types of berries.
Raspberries hold perhaps the most revered place in the Bellingham berry world. In fact, Whatcom County is the nation’s top producer of raspberries. In July, the Northwest Raspberry Festival in Lynden will commemorate the area’s agricultural staple with food, games, a car show, three-on-three basketball, and more.
For those looking for u-pick raspberry options, Haugen’s Raspberry Farm will offer their u-pick opportunities when the berries come into season in July.
“You can snack while you pick, you can bake things with all your berries, and the farm itself is usually just fun, ” said Western student Jill Philbin. “It’s nostalgic. It’s something I always did growing up with my family.”
Boxx Berry Farm’s fields provide an idyllic setting to get out and enjoy the outdoors on a real functioning berry farm. Its farm store also offers fresh berries, vegetables and flowers. // Photo by Jonah Billings
Jonah Billings (he/him) is a sports and recreation reporter for The Front. He is a second-year Western student and is majoring in journalism and history. In addition, he is a member of Western’s varsity cross-country and track and field teams. He enjoys running, reading and spending time with friends. You can reach him at jonahbillings.thefront@gmail.com.
