Farm open for the season
By Kristina Wilder Staff Writer KWilder@RN-T.com
It’s a place people return to every year, as the siren call of fresh strawberries makes it impossible to ignore.
The LCCL Strawberry Farm is a well-known place to find some tasty berries — whether you pick them yourself or purchase them already picked — or to cool off with a bowl full of strawberry ice cream or to just sit in a rocking chair and enjoy the view.
“We come out about every year,” said Joan Bailey, who was relaxing in front of the strawberry farm Tuesday afternoon, eating ice cream and talking with her friend Richard Phillips. “The ice cream, the people, the strawberries, everything is wonderful.”
Phillips agreed, adding, “You can’t beat it.”
Moni Owen, who works at the farm, said she feels as if the setting is what keeps people coming back for more.
“It’s a family-friendly place and the berries are sweet,” she said. “We try to make it a fun place for everyone. We offer train rides for the children on the weekend and we have plenty of picnic space.”
Now starting its 15th year, the 4-acre farm at 3743 Old Dalton Road, is open every day, weather permitting.
Mondays through Fridays the farm is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday hours are from 1 to 5 p.m. The season lasts until about mid-June. The Facebook page is regularly updated with any changes or closures. The farm accepts cash or checks.
Customers may pick their own or purchase pre-picked containers. The farm also sells homemade strawberry softserve ice cream and offers jars of strawberry jam and local honey as well. There are also pies and a new addition this year: Strawberry salsa.
Children especially look forward to the first visit, according to local Holly Hester, who brought her nephews to visit.
“The school-age ones will be jealous,” she laughed. “They love coming here every year.”
Word of mouth is a great advertisement for the farm.
“I have a lot of friends and co-workers who come here,” explained Cathy Creamer of Adairsville. “I was in Rome for a doctor appointment and decided to bring my daughter Emma.”
Creamer watched as her daughter polished off a dish of ice cream and watched workers travel back and forth across the fields.
“She loves to pick strawberries with my mother in Michigan, so I thought she would enjoy it here,” Creamer said. “I love it out here. Everyone has told me about the ice cream, so I had to try it.”
Conner McDonald, the oldest son of the farm’s owners, Lance and Cindy McDonald, was out helping pick strawberries Tuesday.
At 17, he’s grown up with the farm and enjoys working there.
“I like to help plant,” he said. “The time I enjoy most, though, is when the farm is open and selling. I get to meet people and it’s fun to work here and get life experience.”
If the urge to “pick your own” extends beyond strawberries, a website called Georgia Pick Your Own has listings of farms in the region.