Cochran, GA |
It’s been a “berry” good year for strawberry growers across Georgia, as ideal conditions and careful management have led to one of the strongest seasons in recent memory. At Greene Acres Farm in Bleckley County, the fields have been so productive that visitors have been able to pick fresh strawberries every single day for weeks.
“They’re looking good. It’s probably one of the best seasons we’ve ever had,” said Earl Greene, owner of Greene Acres Farm. “They started early and they’re going to finish strong. As long as the weather stays out of those ninety-fives, we’ll have strawberries for at least another three weeks.”
A Season Built on Tough Decisions
While the results have been impressive, the road to this year’s harvest was anything but easy. Growers faced unpredictable weather early in the season, including a late frost that forced quick action to protect their crops.
“It was tough at the beginning,” Greene said. “We had a pretty late frost in March. We had to get all our row covers back out and run overhead irrigation. It’s tough managing five or six acres all at once and making those split decisions.”
Those timely choices ultimately paid off, allowing the crop to rebound and thrive—resulting in yields that, in some cases, have exceeded expectations.
“Right now, we’re making more than we can keep up with,” Greene added. “All the strawberry farms in this area are saying the same thing.”
A Year in the Making
For farmers, the success seen today actually began months ago. Strawberry production requires long-term planning, patience, and a willingness to trust the process.
“You start preparing in August, build your beds in September, plant in October, and then you just wait,” Greene explained. “From October to April, before you see your first berries—it’s a long process. In farming, you’re always a year ahead.”
That behind-the-scenes effort is something many visitors may not fully realize, which is why education plays such a big role at agritourism farms like Greene Acres.
Teaching the Next Generation
Each day, families and school groups visit the farm—not just to pick strawberries, but to learn how food is grown. For Leigh Ann Greene, those teaching moments are just as rewarding as the harvest itself.
“You need to explain this is how it grows—it takes sunshine, water, effort, and work,” she said. “To see the lightbulb go off with the children, it’s an amazing thing.”
Beyond the fields, the farm offers even more opportunities for hands-on learning. With animals like goats, pigs, chickens, and rabbits, children can connect with agriculture in a way that goes far beyond the grocery store.
“We wanted to create a place where families can come and experience the farm,” Leigh Ann said. “It’s about learning, but also about making memories.”
More Than Just a Crop
For the Greene family, strawberries are just one part of a bigger mission—bringing people closer to agriculture and helping them understand the work that goes into every bite.
And with a season this strong, there’s plenty to celebrate.
From full fields to full buckets, Georgia’s strawberry growers are proving that with the right mix of hard work, timing, and a little help from the weather, success can be pretty sweet.
By: Damon Jones