Howard farms see pick-your-own policies as a way to connect with community

Pick-your-own fruit season has officially begun at farms in Howard County.

Beginning with strawberries at Larriland Farm, in Woodbine, and goji berries at Mary’s Land Farm, in Ellicott City, the season will continue through November.

Larriland Farm is a family owned and operated farm that began its pick-your-own operation in 1973, according to its website. Started by Larry and Polly Moore, the farm is now operated by their children – Lynn, Guy, Fenby and Nancy – and their grandchildren – Jake, Emily, Steve and Sam.

In 1973, the farm harvested its first acre of strawberries, and in that same year planted apple and peach trees. Today, it harvests strawberries, as well as tart cherries, sweet cherries, black raspberries, red raspberries, blueberries, gooseberries and currants, thornless blackberries, peaches, seedless table grapes, apples and pears and vegetables including beets, broccoli, pumpkins and tomatoes on 425 acres of land that are available for pick-your-own purchase throughout the year.

Lynn Moore said she wanted the farm to have fruit and produce available for visitors to pick every season.

“My goal was to have something available for picking whenever the customer came because the customers’ free time is dictated by children’s soccer games and work hours and other commitments,” she said. “Even though the crops are seasonal, the customer’s come at their convenience, not at the crops’ ripeness.”

Mary’s Land Farm is a 160-acre balanced ecosystem of pasture and perennial plants and that was purchased by the Cunningham family in 2014, according to its website. Providing more food per acre than a standard monoculture farm or a farm growing a single crop on a given acreage, its products include beef, chicken, chicken eggs, duck eggs, lamb, pork and produce as well as specialty items including vinegar and olive oil.

Beginning its pick-your-own season with goji berries, it will continue with peaches, sunflowers and pumpkins throughout the year.

Thomas Cunningham, owner of Mary’s Land Farm, said picking your own is a good way for the community to support local farms and farmers.

“[Pick-your-own] is one of the few ways that farms can really supply the local market,” he said. “It’s hard for local farms to get into the grocery stores and restaurants, so this is a great way to get access to the local market by having pick-your-own.”

Larriland Farm is at 2415 Woodbine Road and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Mary’s Land Farm is at 4979 Sheppard Lane and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, visit pickyourown.com and maryslandfarm.com.