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Social - May 2003 |
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Soggy spring produces a field full of berries |
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By DIANE TURBYFILL, LTN Staff Writer The soggy spring has brought big batches of strawberries to Harold Lineberger. Owner of two strawberry fields, one in Iron Station, the other in Dallas, Lineberger has been in the business for 39 years. “We’ve lived off strawberries,” he says. “They’ve put us through school … of course, it’s been a lot of hard work.” Each year is a challenge in the farming business, Lineberger says, as the weather dictates the success or failure of the product. This year’s rain and cooler temperatures have been just the right recipe for a fine crop of strawberries. Lineberger expects the season to last until a week or two into June. “The coolness is going to extend the season,” he says. “This has been an interesting season.” Despite the bout of hail, the rains have boosted Lineberger’s crop. He has not even needed to irrigate the fields — a far cry from last year’s drought. The sights and scents at the farm are proof of a plentiful season. A light perfume of strawberries wafts through the air at Berryhill Farm in Iron Station as families and friends wander through the field. Tuesday’s warm, sunny afternoon attracted pickers from near and far to the patch. Sally Link took advantage of the weather. She’s been visiting Lineberger’s farm since it opened six years ago. “I’m 89,” she says. “I love to pick strawberries. I like to feel them, and it’s good exercise.” And she likes to make recipes from scratch — including the strawberry pie she plans to bake. Mary Rush from Charlotte plans to make strawberry pie, too. She also wants to whip up some strawberry shortcake, jam and ice cream. Rush brought three children and a dog out to pick berries Tuesday. She says the drive is worth the experience. ————— Berryhill Farms on East N.C. 27 is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. Buckets of already picked berries are $6. The cost is $4 to pick them. For details call 704-748-1488.
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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News |
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