Strawberries in season at Stade’s

JOHNSBURG – Strawberry season is in full swing, and all are invited to Stade’s Farm and Market to enjoy the small, red treats.

During the next few weeks, the public is invited to visit the farm and pick their own strawberries. The farm, east of the intersection of Solon and Miller roads in Johnsburg, will have open picking from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. Color and feel are the key to picking the right berries, owner Vern Stade said.

“Strawberries should be as red as possible but yet remain firm,” he said.

A pound of self-picked strawberries is $1.75, and Stade said many visitors were walking away with 5 to 10 pounds of strawberries at a time.

Visitors are welcome to walk through the 4 acres of strawberries or to take a free hay ride through the patches. Pre-picked strawberries are available to buy in the market area of the farm, where Stade also is selling a variety of other produce picked daily. Inventory includes fresh cut asparagus, rhubarb, spinach and radishes.

The sweet corn will be ready in mid-July, along with tomatoes, green beans, zucchini, peppers, broccoli and other homegrown favorites. Other types of produce will be available as the crops mature, he said.

Throughout the summer, the farm will host outdoor contemporary Christian worship services at 10 a.m. every Sunday. Community of Faith Lutheran Church in Spring Grove leads worship on the first and third Sunday of every month and guest speakers and musicians lead worship on the second and fourth Sundays. Free coffee and donuts follow.

“It’s a very unique worship experience in an outdoor, country setting,” Stade said.

The services take place in the band shell on the farm. The farm’s address is 3709 W. Miller Road.

For information, visit www.stadesfarmand
market.com.