Pick-your-own patches to open — cautiously

Strawberry picking will be available this year, but two local growers requested cooperation with Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) guidelines — including wearing masks and social distancing.

In discussing this year’s harvest, Troy Porter, owner of Porter’s Patch south of Bonduel, said the COVID-19 pandemic has pretty much changed everything about operating his farm for this year.

He pledged to make changes day-to-day if necessary to keep customers safe.

“There are some things we’ve changed because, obviously, we’ve never done this (respond to a pandemic) before. We’ll do what makes people feel safe,” Porter said.

Not the least of those changes is wearing masks. Porter said he understands the need, but he really dislikes them because he’s a people person and wants to see his customers’ faces — especially their smiles.

Because he values those smiles, staff members will not wear masks, he said.

Porter’s will provide “curbside service,” although there aren’t any curbs on the farm. Porter encouraged people with concerns about crowding and exposure to park in the yard and honk their horn. A staff member will respond.

Customers also won’t be able to pick through the produce for what they want, as all pre-picked vegetables and fruits will be bagged, another change from previous years.

Porter said they will start taking orders Wednesday but said the pick-your-own fields won’t be available until about June 26. That date is subject to change depending on the sun and rain, he added.

Andy Lefebre, owner of Berryland near Abrams, said: “We’re almost getting started with strawberries.”

The operation features no-touch hand-washing station and respect for CDC guidelines on social distancing and masks, he said.

While Lefebre said he preferred to be the bearer of good news, his fields suffered from a rough winter and wet spring. Yields are expected to be much lower than usual.

Berryland is not taking orders this year.

“We’re telling people to contact us before coming out because we’re not even sure we’ll let people into the patch,” he said.

On the other hand, Lefebre predicted a great 2021 as they have planted 60,000 June-bearing strawberry plants.

Berryland, 5810 Heimke Lane or 5687 Steinkraus Lane, Abrams

920-621-6971 or 920-826-729

Take Abrams Exit 185 from Hwy. 41/141. West Frontage Road. (EE), 1/2 mile north of the Arby’s/Shell station.

Porter’s Patch, W4314 State Highway 156, Bonduel

715-758-8162

Nine miles south of Bonduel. Turn West on State Highway 156. 1/2 mile.

Information accurate as of June 15, 1:36 p.m.