Business & Tech
Mt. Airy Strawberry Farm is Open for Business
The berries are ripe at Anne Arundel County's only remaining u-pick strawberry farm.
Sweet, juicy, sun-ripened strawberries are ready for picking at the Mt. Airy U-Pick farm located off Route 424 in Davidsonville. The warm sunshine mixed with rain and the magic of springtime—OK some call it photosynthesis—has allowed the plants to grow the perfect ruby-red strawberries.
The Hopkins family—Tim, James and Liz—have owned and operated the strawberry-growing operation since 1978 when they stopped growing tobacco and converted the fields over to berries, corn and other crops. Today, they devote all of their "spare" time to the berry business. Currently, Mt. Airy is the only u-pick strawberry farm in Anne Arundel County.
This season, the Hopkins expect hundreds of folks throughout the area and beyond to visit. Here individuals will pick tons of berries that will be eaten fresh off the stem, turned into delicious homemade jams and jellies, churned into sweet smoothies and placed in strawberry shortcake, an all-time favorite summertime dessert.
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Visiting the Hopkins farm is indeed a sweet treat. Upon arriving, folks are graciously greeted by Liz, Tim or James who provide them with a container to place the berries. Individuals are then directed to the patch where a field manager helps select an area to start picking.
For those who gather bushels of berries, the Hopkins offer a "taxi service," which chauffeurs folks from the field back to their vehicles.
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Liz says that the strawberry season is short, lasting a mere three to four weeks, or until the berries are gone. They officially open on Monday, May 16, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, for those who can't wait, the fields will be open for a limited time Friday (from 9 a.m. until noon) and on Saturday (from 8 a.m. until noon), weather permitting.
Liz strongly suggests calling before stopping by to make sure the berries have not been picked out for the day and that weather conditions are ideal.
The strawberries are $1.85 per pound. Cash and checks are accepted, but no debit or credit cards. For additional information or to check picking conditions call 410-798-1862.
The first round of berries is always the best—so head on over today and start picking.
