We have gathered some of the photos and stories that are a part of the timeline of our history. Scroll through the timeline, and click on the newspaper articles and images to enlarge them. We hope you will enjoy this trip down memory lane with us!
U-Pick strawberry fields open for the first time
In 1961, Charles Warner opened his strawberries fields to the public to offer U-Pick berries. The business enterprise, believed to be the first farm to open for U-pick in the area, was a success. For a six-week season beginning in June, cars would line up early to pick the wonderfully sweet strawberries by the pound.
U-Pick strawberries celebrates 20 years
“A good June day will see as many as 50 to 75 cars parked near Warner’s fields, a situation that makes him comment, ‘That’s a yard full!'”. Charles Warner has continued U-Pick strawberries for 20 years.
Next Generation joins the U-Pick business
Charles Warner’s daughter Kim, who could be found in the u-pick fields directing traffic and helping customers find the best rows for picking during her teenage years, married Mike Wissemann. Mike has become a partner in the Warner Farm business. In 1983, the strawberries were a little late in arriving, but when they did, they were as sweet and delicious as ever. Customers that year paid 63 cents a pound for the berries.
Certified Organic Production
Warner Farm earns a certification of organic production in compliance with the USDA’s Nation Organic Program. The farm produces 100% organic asparagus, beans, corn, cucumbers, raspberries, rhubarb, spaghetti squash and strawberries.
1st Annual Strawberry Fest at Warner Farm
A strawberry festival was held in 2012 to add a day of fun to the u-pick fields. The festival offered games and activities for kids, a farm tour, wagon rides, live music and strawberry shortcake along with the pick your own strawberries.
Strawberry Fest features a Father’s Day Pancake Breakfast
The annual Strawberry Fest continues. In 2016, a pancake breakfast (featuring Warner Farm strawberries of course!) was added and the date moved to Father’s Day. The tradition of offering fun activities for the kids and great live music remains the same to be a sweet summer celebration for people of all ages.
Do you have remembrances of Warner Farm that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear your stories! Please send them to lacey@warnerfarm.com
