How far can $25 get you at a Wichita area u-pick strawberry farm? We tried it out
There are two things you should know about me. I love the outdoors (especially during summertime) and I love fresh fruit.
So when I got the assignment to spend an afternoon of my work week picking strawberries in the sun, I was more than excited to participate. But there was one catch: I had to follow a budget of $25.
That’s because this story is a part of the new On Budget series, where reporters take you to some popular spots around Wichita to see how far a set budget can be stretched. Hopefully after every story, you can add another spot to your activity list.
With u-pick farms entering prime season, I visited Meadowlark Farm Orchard & Cidery in Rose Hill to see what an afternoon of berry picking would cost. We selected Meadowlark Farm because of its relative proximity to Wichita and its lower entry fee compared to others.
Owner Tom Brown purchased the land that is now the orchard in 2010, making sure the farm would be in driving distance from Wichita.
“We actually drew a circle, a 30 minute radius around the center of Wichita, and we only looked for land within that,” Brown said.
The land wasn’t always what it is now.
“The family we bought it from did not have any fruit trees, so we planted all the fruit trees and the strawberries and everything,” Brown said.
Right now, the farm is offering strawberries. Strawberry season is a short one, usually starting in mid-May and ending in early June. The farm started selling fruit in 2014, and also offers seasonal peaches, apples and pumpkins.
Brown said the farm’s main set of visitors are mothers and children, with farm amenities geared toward that group.
“Moms come out on weekday mornings in the summer, and they bring their kids, and there’s this little playground here, and they go pick something,” Brown said.
If there was one word to describe Meadowlark Farm, it would be “unplugged.”
In fact, Brown emphasized how the spot was perfect for those looking to disconnect. There are no TV screens or even background music — Brown said all customers need is the sound of birds and the wind through the trees — but there are free games like Checkers, Yahtzee, Taboo and Scrabble, and an outdoor patio for customers to sit and enjoy time together.
The farm is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and closed Monday and Tuesday.
So, how much does it cost? Here’s what I found out.
How much did a trip to Meadowlark Farm cost?
I got there around noon on a Wednesday.
It was a $3.50 for the entry fee per person and $7 for a one pint container of strawberries. While you can get around the same amount of strawberries at chain grocery stores for around $3, these are picked straight from the patch.
Some other u-pick farms in the area include Sweet Berries & Brambles in Harper, which is about an hour outside of Wichita. That farm is by-appointment only, and cost $3 per one pound of u-pick strawberries and $5 for a pound of pre-picked strawberries.
One popular u-pick place closer to Wichita is Elderslie Farm in Kechi. In addition to blackberry picking, which is mid-June through mid-July, the farm has a restaurant open year-round, as well as a market and a seasonal cafe. Blackberry picking is by appointment, and costs $25 per 2.2 quart pails and $3 per additional picker.
Once I grabbed my basket and clamshell at Meadowlark, I took the short walk to the strawberry patch. It was 80 degrees and sunny, but I didn’t mind the heat because it didn’t take me long to fill up the container with strawberries.
When I finished picking, I headed back into the gift shop. They were out of root beer, so instead, my eyes were drawn to fresh made jam. (I guess that’s the third thing you should know about me. I love jam.)
I bought some peach cherry jam for $10.
There are other things offered in store, like vinegar, salsa and cider mustard. In addition to playground equipment, there are also places for picnics, including a small pond area.
Altogether with tax, the entry fee, strawberry picking and the fresh made jam cost me $21.35.
My only regret was not having a fresh loaf of sourdough waiting for me when I got home. But even on store bought bread, the jam was delicious.
Do you have an activity idea for our On a Budget series? Send your story ideas to lsmith@wichitaeagle.com.
