Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/132109
A Growing Legacy Since 1816 Mark and Ellen Parlee operate a you-pick orchard with entertainment to attract customers. That platform in the background is a goat walk. Visitors buy food for the animals. Photo by richard lehnert pumpkins, an acre of cut flowers, 10 acres of sweet corn, and hay for the animals. Mark really likes his blueberries for youpick. "They almost sell themselves," he said. "They're user friendly—nobody's stepping on the fruit like they do in strawberries— and they get a lot of good press." The most unusual you-pick on the tour was undoubtedly Lookout Farm at South Natick, Massachusetts, once owned by the Natick Praying Indians, then by a millionaire developer, and now by Steve and Joan Belkin. It is said to be one of the oldest working farms in the United States, established by a minister and his flock in 1651. Millions were spent during development of the fruit operations before the Belkin family bought it. It offers a unique environment in which pick-your-own takes place. It has miles of paved roads, including stretches a mile and a half long constructed of brick pavers. Grapevines grow up trellises and over arbors, covering the roads. On a Saturday or Sunday, as many as 5,000 people will visit the farm, which is only 20 miles from Boston. It has 180 acres with 40 acres of apples, 55 acres of Asian pears, 30 acres of stone fruits, plus strawberries, pumpkins, and 17 greenhouses. The farm is managed by John Burns, consultant Glen Morin, and long-time orchard manager Altino Alberto. The farm sells both you-pick and wholesale, but on the you-pick side is an agricultural entertainment destination with farm animals and extensive play areas. For more information, check the Web site www.lookoutfarm.com. Customer Appreciation Sale 800-435-8733 Stark Bro's Nurseries & Orchards Co. • See Your Local Dealer Today! LOW. SLOW. ACCURATE. Minimize drift, maximize yields and profits. W&W 18 qt. cherry bucket (pictured) WELLS & WADE Harvest Equipment New Fruit Picking Harness W/ Seat Belt Webbing D eluxe cherry harness also available 22 qt. cherry bucket also available Eco Friendly Buckets now made with recycled material Q ualit y H arv est To o ls Since 1 9 2 2 Web: www.wellsandwade.com Email: sales@sfequip.com For a dealer near you, call (509) 662-6065 www.goodfruit.com Helicopter Aerial Spraying SERVICES: • • • • • Farm Ground / Crop Land "Crop-dusting" Noxious Weeds in Pastures and Rangeland Water Ways, Marshes, Lakes, and Ponds Aerial Seeding and Fertilizing • Fruit Orchards Timber and Forestry • Cherry Drying Providing excellence in precision aerial applications throughout the Pacific Northwest. CALL FOR A QUOTE! 208-743-5411 Office 208-790-1122 Doug Lohman MORE INFO AT www.LohmanHelicopter.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER June 2013 35