With each visit to Vermont, I am humbled by differences.
At Adam’s Berry Farm, roughly three hours away from Boston, this contrast is pleasantly soothing. Herds of cows and rolling fields dominate the surroundings. It is late summer and this blueberry farm is welcoming country loving visitors. Phone networks are sketchy and the people living here appear to have active, fulfilling and tough lifestyles. Winters are harsh, and each year brings new business lessons. In comparison, my desk job and daily commutes seem like tales from another era.
Through our conversation, we learn that Adam started the farm seventeen years ago, exchanging a city life to pursue his interest in agriculture. Only yesterday, he was at his booth in the Burlington Farmer’s Market, where we were introduced to him. Today, we’ve made it to his blueberry farm for picking. This was the first time we were truly interacting with someone motivated enough to forgo a city life to start a farm. “Anyone can grow (fruits and vegetables)..but it takes more than that to run the business side of things..”, says Adam, who started from scratch and has no formal education in this field. “We’re also accountants, marketers, suppliers..” he says referring to the multiple hats that an entrepreneur like him has to wear.
With tips on how to pick the right kind of blueberries, we took two baskets and walked into the fields. Adam’s team had clearly marked yellow flags on rows that are suitable for picking. “This is peak season,” said Adam earlier, “with ‘pick your own’ days, we also get a chance to have families with children visit and interact with us.” A five-year-old ahead in line wanted to know if he was old enough to help out in the fields!
Out in the bushes, families walk around, tasting, picking blueberries and making the most of a sunny day. I discovered that the juiciest, most plump blueberries are usually found on the lower branches, closer to the stem. We taste the blueberries, take photographs and enjoy a sense of calm that being in an open field provides.
I try to avoid thinking about an impending Monday. And then, as if through a gentle nudge, I’m instantly reminded of Adam again, who has been working throughout the weekend. I acknowledge my own tunnel vision and thank the forces that aligned together to remind me to look beyond my own circle of existence.
Pin this post or find other Vermont posts on our blog:
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- 15+ must have items for traveling with a baby - September 7, 2021
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12 Responses
Michelle W
These are beautiful photos, I love the selective focus. Also, it’s true, working a corporate job versus being out with the natural world are certainly worlds apart. It’s nice to get away and experience the “other side” of thing every once and a while 🙂
Supriya
True Michelle. It’s so necessary for us to get out of routine and there’s no better opportunity than in your own region 🙂
Lara Dunning
I love blueberries and grown them in my yard. I’ve never gone to a place where you can pick your own and Vermont sounds like a great place to do that.
Supriya
You’re officially my role model Lara – I’ve never grown a single fruit/vegetable / plant in my life. Pick your own events are big in New England and you should certainly to head for one whenever you visit this side of the coast 🙂
Dhara
Such a lovely post, Supriya! I felt I was there with you in that quiet New England farm, enjoying the luscious blueberries. Kudos to Adam for daring to take on such an endeavor, and excelling at it too! Bharat sure looks happy with his carton! ? Beautiful photos too.
Supriya
Thank you, Dhara. New England farms are perfect for weekend getaways. I agree – Adam is such a brave guy! 🙂
Natalie
This post takes me back to a time when I visited New Hampshire and Vermont a long time ago. First, I had the most delicious blueberry pie in New Hampshire. I was in a little compound of sorts with several people who relied mostly on themselves and didn’t even have electricity. From there, I went immediately to Burlington, Vermont. Burlington is such a neat little place (not that I saw much way back then) and I’d love to visit again. I have picked applies and strawberries, but never blueberries. Late summer is a perfect time to visit Vermont and picking blueberries would just sweeten the deal for me.
I also love this style of photography!
Supriya
Thanks for your kind words Natalie. Even though your story sounds from a while back, you seem to remember it so distinctly. Proves that NH and Vermont have been delightful for years. This was our second blueberry picking experience and we’re hoping to make it an annual affair. Burlington is another wonderful town we visited this year and can’t stop praising – hope you get a chance to go blueberry picking next spring!
Hannah Lukaszewicz
I love blueberrys! Never been to a blueberry farm before. We’ve never been to Vermont either, didn’t realize they had blueberry farms there, think we’ll have to visit when we make it out there.
Supriya
Blueberries are my favorite berries too! Vermont has numerous farms – the produce there is so rich and naturally delicious. Right from cheese to ice cream, fresh fruits – there’s so much to choose from. Head over soon Hannah, it’s New England at its best 🙂
Rhonda Albom
Wow, those blueberries look so good. We have tried to grow our own blueberries however they always turn out a bit sour. It looks like Vermont has a great climate for growing them, will have to give it a try when we are there. Yum.
Starting up your own business is a big job but it looks like Adam has done it well.
Supriya
You bet Rhonda, Adam sure is brave and we’re so glad we got to meet him. I haven’t ever grown blueberries but kudos to you for attempting. Vermont is great in summer and fall so you must definitely plan a getaway!