Crop Growing Expo in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Here at Browder's Fresh Pickins, we love learning and trying new things. One way that we do that is by traveling to other regions to see what and how they grow and sell. I (Jake) recently returned from the Crop Growing Expo in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with 1,000+ Amish & Mennonite farmers. Now that's a group you can learn from! Their scale, quality, diversity, and efficiency in agriculture is something to marvel. They start teaching their kids farming young, as I've never seen so many infants at a farming conference. In addition to valuable content knowledge learned in sessions on strawberries, blueberries, pumpkins, and cut flowers, I had the opportunity to network with many experts in the industry. I was able to connect with a cut flower grower and ordered a truckload of cut flower plugs for our upcoming pick-your-own flower bouquet field and will plant those this spring. If you haven't visited Amish country, I highly recommend it!

 

 

Survey Results

Recently, we posted a survey, and we want you to know how appreciative we are for each of your important responses. We value your feedback and strongly believe that running a successful small farm requires two way communication between the community and the farmer. Your input helps us to make decisions that are win/win for both parties. To see the results of our recent survey and plans for the future, click on the pictures. We're both fascinated with data, numbers, and patterns. Which results are most interesting or surprising to you? Thank you for allowing us to grow!

 

 

 

A New Beginning

Over the past two decades I worked for organizations such as the USDA, the Peace Corps, and Virginia Tech to learn and earn with a singular focus on one goal, having my own successful family farm. I want you all to know that your unwavering support has turned my dream into a reality! I left the USDA last month and Browder's Fresh Pickins is gonna GROW...an unprecedented bounty where we share in the joy of God's blessings of fresh food, family, fruit, flowers, friends, and most of all, fun. I'd like to say THANK YOU to the entire community! You're the best customers in the world and your investment in Browder's Fresh Pickins is making dreams come true. I can't wait to see what 2025 holds! -Jake Browder

 

We'd love to hear your thoughts!

What should we plant on these rows? Let us know what you're thinking so we can use it to help to make 2025 the best season yet! This quick survey will only take a couple minutes. Many thanks!! https://forms.gle/Mc9TbsQBNSHd9hww6

 

Strawberry Planting Party

We planted another 12,000 strawberry plants yesterday. Huge THANK YOU to the Luter Family YMCA Advisory Board who offered to come help plant. Special shout out to Ana Mae Morrow, Executive Director @luter_ymca and my fellow Advisory Board Members, Nicole Talton and Josie Rouse, who were instrumental in the swift planting of the berries.

 

Planting Strawberries

This is how our family planted 21,000 strawberry plants this weekend. Ready for picking in 180 days! 😁

 

 

Preparing for Spring 2025

We're preparing for the Spring 2025 season! Over the next couple of weekends, we'll be planting our strawberries.

Browder's Fresh Pickins was recently honored to be awarded the Smithfield Times Hammy Award for the Best Garden Store/Nursery & a finalist for Best Attraction, Best Family Entertainment, Best Scenic Spot, and Best Tourist Spot. In addition, Jake was honored as a Community Ambassador by Smithfield & Isle of Wight for contributing to the economic vitality of our community. None of this would be possible without each of you! Thank you for supporting our small family farm