Berry Growers

A most delicious season of strawberries arrived, and berries were available from growers until the Strawberry Festival, May 11, 2024, and after.

Each grower had favorite varieties they consider tried and true, and sometimes try new ones.

Flats were selling for $40. A flat has eight quarts, which some were selling individually for $6 and others $7.

The growers meet early in the season to determine the price for the popular spring treat.

Miller Farms is growing three varieties: Ruby June, Sensation, Mecede with single quarts for $7.

“Those are the usual varieties we grow,” said Bryce Miller.

This year he tried growing the plants three across in a row instead of two.

“It was an experiment, it works great, just a real pain when planting. We will go back to planting only two in a row,” said Miller.

Planting, growing and picking berries is labor intensive, but Miller said he enjoys it.

“I like working with family and the joy of seeing people with our product,” said Miller.

And tradition matters, he said.  “If we don’t keep it a tradition, then the tradition goes away, and then we have nothing,” said Miller. 

Unlike most, he doesn’t have a favorite way to eat them. “Honestly, I don’t like them, it’s a texture thing for me. I will take a bite in the field for taste, then spit them out,” Miller said. His family likes to eat them crushed up over pie crust or over a biscuit.

Another grower was selling at the intersections of Highways 51 and 59 from a table behind his truck for a few weeks. One Friday his mom, brother and sister were helping.

Inmer Garcia and family grow San Andreas and Avon at Doyle Country Farms. Last year they won top grower in the Stilwell Strawberry Festival competition for best berries.

“We took care of Mr. [Burl] Doyle for eight years, and he said he would like us to keep growing the berries, so we do,” said Garcia.

Advice from Mr. Doyle was, “Take care of them, clean them and water them.”

They grow three acres of berries and were selling quarts for $6.

“I like to eat them with cake and ice cream,” Garcia said.

His family likes growing berries.

“We are amazed at how much people like them. We take care of the berries. We’re excited do be in the competition again this year, and hope we win again,” he said.

Adair County Deputy and School Resource Officer Beau Sanders stopped to buy berries. After the purchase the small children asked to take their picture with Sanders and he was happy to pose with them beside his vehicle.



BELOW:  Byce Miller checking a strawberry

photo by Renee Fite