Pollinators and Planning for SUMMER

You want a farm visit? Here are some ideas.

This weekend (June 20-22, 2025) is a great chance to be outstanding in a field! Come for the wild flowers, listen to the buzz of bees, stay for knowledgeable speakers, taste honey, pick strawberries, or wander on a self-guided pollinator tours! There is much to see and do out here in Western Wisconsin.

FIRST IDEA: Don't miss the POLLINATOR FESTIVAL in Western Wisconsin. Make it a day trip or a weekend adventure. The link above to their website has all the details to plan your fun.

Photo curtesy of Carrie Summer. Show the peonies but not me!

SECOND IDEA: The pollinator gardens at Rush River Produce ("The Blueberry Farm") (our neighbors) are part of the festival. If you've never been, don't miss this chance to get up close and personal with the farmers and their jaw dropping BIG BACK YARD. Blueberries need pollinators, so for as many high bush berries planted, the Cuddys have created gorgeous pollinator habitat as well.

SIDE NOTE - Blueberry picking at RUSH RIVER PRODUCE: You might be wondering, When will the blueberries be ready to pick? The bouncy blues come along in July and August. Picking will likely begin July 10th, but possibly earlier. Here's their website with blueberry information.

Another SIDE NOTE... and the SUNFLOWERS? Lots of you have been asking about the sunflower fields. The sunflowers are just now bursting their little green leaves through the soil beginning their long reach to the sun. We expect their pretty heads to be open sometime mid-August - last year they were peak AUGUST 8th-18th.

Clematis at Sarah's Driftless Dirt Farm

YET ANOTHER SIDE NOTE: The abundance of nature makes the heart swell. All is good. All is right. In nature we are drawn away from the darkness and reminded of what really matters. You can't get that at a farmer's market! Sure, looking over the farmer's tables, you get a glimpse of that energy and life, but out here on the farms, you can stand in the fullness and drink it in. In nature, you can turn off the noise for a moment, and remember all that matters. Nature's beauty and bounty fill hearts with joy and love...enough to send out to the rest of humanity.

Strawberries from Sam's Produce, Arkansas, WI

THIRD FARMY IDEA: If you're in the mood to pick STRAWBERRIES, Sam's Produce is the place to be in the next week or so. On Tuesday, the farmers at Rush River Produce and Lake View Farm took a trip over to Sam's for a little strawberry picking...nothing better than OUTSTANDING IN THE FIELD and getting a snack to boot! Well, bending and kneeling, in this case;)

Remember, check the strawberry farm website to make sure they're not picked out when you're hoping to visit!

The farms are calling. The winding country roads are full of wildflowers, the scenery is lush and green, and the weather forecast looks to be fabulous. Come visit.

Our self-serve farm store is open daily.

As always, sending love from the farm,

Sarah