Take your pick of pick-your-own farms

As interest grows in healthy eating and fresh foods, more family farms are transforming into “agratainment” parks, welcoming visitors to pick their own produce and enjoy old-fashioned rides and attractions. “You’re getting exercise, getting outdoors and eating a lot healthier,” says John Slemmer, who runs Pickyourown.org, a website listing about 10,000 farms in 22 countries where visitors can harvest their own fruits and vegetables. “It’s a day out for fun.” He shares some favorites.

Great Country Farms, Bluemont, Virginia

When D.C. tourists need a break from monuments and museums, they can head an hour west, where summer visitors can pick cherries, plums and berries. And come August, the “great potato dig” lets kids unearth their own carbs. Families also enjoy wagon rides, a jumping pillow and a catch-and-release fishing pond. “They’ve got a lot there – all the stuff kids like. And it goes from spring right into late fall,” Slemmer says. greatcountryfarms.com

Webb Ranch, Portola Valley, California

This century-old family farm close to Stanford University offers organic berries, including such specialties as olallieberries, boysenberries and marionberries. “If you’re not from the West Coast, you’ll never see these berries in a store,” Slemmer says. Stop by the website for a how-to-pick video, and then head to the farm for horse-riding lessons. webbranchinc.com

Belkin Lookout Farm, Natick, Massachusetts

Operating since 1651, Belkin Lookout is one of the oldest farms in the country, but it’s hard to know what the original settlers would make of the city families filling fruit baskets and lining up for train rides. “It’s a big operation,” Slemmer says. Summertime picking options include strawberries, and then peaches and early apples in August, followed by plums and nectarines. And a familyfriendly taproom serves farm-crafted hard cider, beer and food pairings. lookoutfarm.com

Southern Belle Farm McDonough, Georgia

Bite into a fresh Georgia peach at this 330-acre property south of Atlanta and you’ll never look at grocery store fruit the same, says Slemmer. “Unless you go to a farm, you’ll never get a real peach. It’s supposed to be soft and juicy and moist and wet.” Along with the orchard, there are blueberries and strawberries to pick, and farm animals on display. A country market also sells fresh-made pie. southernbellefarm.com

Stade’s Farm and Market McHenry, Illinois

This Chicago-region farm shows why the Midwest is famed for agriculture. Its you-pick season kicks off with strawberries in mid-June, continues with raspberries in July, and adds summer vegetables including green beans, tomatoes and sugar snap peas in August. “It’s in the heart of the country’s breadbasket,” Slemmer says. stadesfarmandmarket.com

Remlinger Farms Carnation, Washington

Slemmer says there’s a simple reason to visit this Seattle-area farm: rhubarb, which is available in the market and prepared in an on-site restaurant. “If you’ve never had a rhubarb strawberry pie with a crumb top you’ve never lived.” Visitors come for berry picking and a park with more than 25 attractions, including a steam train, roller coaster and a toy canoe river. remlingerfarms.com

Underwood Family Farms Moorpark, Calif.

With several locations, this Southern California farm has become an agricultural force. Dozens of pick-your-own options include everything from fava beans to squash blossoms to kohlrabi, and a platoon of pull wagons are available to haul in your harvest. There also are tours and animal shows. “This is one of those places people rave about. They really make a fun day out of it,” Slemmer says. underwoodfamilyfarms.com

Rittman Orchards Doylestown, Ohio

Although many Ohio farms welcome visitors, Slemmer particularly likes this one near Cleveland. “They’re just super nice people, kind of like family.” Pikers are welcome to harvest strawberries, red and black raspberries, blueberries and apples. And others just come for the extensive farm market, cider and live music. rittmanorchards.com

Blessington Farms Simonton, Texas

While the berry season has wrapped up at this farm west of Houston, it’s worth planning a trip for next season. Its unique hydroponic system grows berries in vertically stacked containers, so visitors don’t have to bend over to pick. Meanwhile, the farm’s extensive play area is still open for visitors, with a fishing pond, tire mountain, tug-of-war and more. “It’s a massive farm playground,” Slemmer says. blessingtonfarms.com

Johnson’s Farm, Medford, N.J.

This Philadelphia-region retreat shows why New Jersey is called the Garden State. Visitors can pick berries, sweet corn and peaches, says Slemmer, who grew up nearby. “This one has been there for generations. They have a huge farm shop, with all kinds of Amish food. You can get strawberry ice cream, made with strawberries picked the same day.” johnsonsfarm.com

NIKKI STUDT With several locations in Southern California, Underwood Family Farms offers dozens of options from fava beans to squash blossoms to kohlrabi.