Pick-Your-Own Farms a Top Pick
F ERICA SILVERMAN | JE STAFF
Linvilla Orchards
Courtesy of Linvilla Orchards
ruit trees and berries are in full bloom across the region, and
are ripe for picking.

Here are profi les of a handful of the many local farms
and orchards where you and your family can pick your own,
shop locally grown harvests and products and enjoy upcoming
festivals. Make sure you check the hours before you go, which can
change seasonally. If you intend on picking, you may want to
check which fruits are available, since the ripening schedule can
vary. Linvilla Orchards
137 W. Knowlton Road
Media 610-876-7116
Linvilla.com Pick-your-own entrance fee is $6. Fruits and vegetables are
priced separately from the fee, and you must pay for what
you pick.

Th e Linvill family has owned the farm since 1914. Th e grandfa-
ther bought the property initially to build a villa, or a location for
retreats, and then he began planting fruit trees. Generations have
continued to grow the business, said Norm Schultz, 55, the farm
manager for 21 years, as he turned off his tractor.

Today, Linvilla spans 335 acres, 160 of which are in production.

In the 1970s, pick-your-own became popular for cutting out
the middleman and saving costs to the consumers, while still
increasing the revenue for growers, Schultz said. Th roughout the
’80s and ’90s, produce imports from aboard increased, so fruits
became available year-round.

Today, pick-your-own is popular due to the experience, and
people are trying to reduce their carbon footprint and buy local
and fresh, Schultz said.

Since the 1940s, the focus had been on yielding more and
making the fruit look attractive, but breeders are now trying to
create better fl avor in the varieties, he said.

Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and cherries are just
some of the fruit picking options, as well as peaches, plums,
Grew prize-winning roses.

Pushed the tire swing for hours.

Had a picnic under the oak tree.

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THIS SUMMER
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM



apricots and tomatoes that mature later in the summer. Schultz
expects this year’s crops will hew close to the regular picking
schedule. “Sixty percent of our customers come from a 10-mile radius,
and 40 percent come from urban areas,” Schultz said. “You can
see a diverse variety of fruit and where it comes from; it’s an
educational experience — it gets kids off the device, and they
really enjoy it.”
A farmers market and garden center are also on-site. You
can visit the barnyard, including white-tailed deer, calves, goats,
horses and peacocks. Train rides and fi shing at Orchard Lake are
available. And summer events include the Blueberry Festival on
July 13 and the Peach Festival Aug. 3.

“It’s a great place in the fall to pick apples for Rosh Hashanah,
purchase fresh honey and gather material to build a sukkah —
we see a large crowd come to prepare for the Jewish holidays
every year,” Schultz said.

Indian Orchards
29 Copes Lane
Media 610-564-0794
indianorchardsfarm.com/ Pick-your-own entrance fee is $2.50.

“Th e baby peaches have arrived,” said Joe Piscitelli, 66, farm
manager at Indian Orchards. “It all depends on Mother Nature,
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Indian Orchards
Courtesy of Indian Orchards
but so far this year, our fruits will ripen on schedule,” he said.

Th e picking season at Indian Orchards starts in mid-June
when fruits, such as blueberries and raspberries, are ripe.

Peaches and blackberries appear in July, as well as vegetables,
including bell peppers, cucumbers, hot peppers and tomatoes.

Plums, nectarines, peaches and pears are expected in August,
and the season ends late-October/November when apples are
done. Th ese are only examples of the many options off ered.

Everything is organically grown and their farming methods
are sustainable, Piscitelli said. Th ey rotate crops, plant continu-
ously and avoid using chemicals. Th e orchards span 35 acres, 30
of which are in production.

“People come from up and down the East Coast looking for
organically grown fruits and vegetables,” Piscitelli said. “We have
THIS SUMMER
See Picking, Page 20
JUNE 6, 2019
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