Last October I had the opportunity to go on my first trip overseas, to England and Scotland. When you own a farm, traveling — especially internationally — can be a challenge. Thankfully I have a good support system and helpers who can take care of things when I’m away.
Before leaving for London I had learned about another Parkside Farm in the world besides my own Parkside Farm, south of Grand Rapids in Byron Center. This Parkside Farm is in Enfield, about an hour outside London. I was particularly interested to learn more about Parkside Farm because of its public-friendly u-pick operations.
As I waited in Chicago for my connecting flight to Heathrow, I realized Britain’s Parkside Farm had closed for the season. I emailed to see if there was any way I could stop while I was there. Richard Whitman sent a lovely response, inviting me to a private tour.
Getting there meant taking the Underground (subway) as far as it goes, then some buses and about a 20-minute walk. It was a welcome treat to see the open countryside contrasting the hustle and bustle of the city. (The farm is on Hadley Road, which happens to be the name of my dog. Coincidence?)
Richard and his family have been operating Parkside Farm since 1938, when it was a mixed dairy and crop farm. They first started growing pick-your-own strawberries in 1979 on a limited scale of just four acres, but have since added many other fruits and vegetables. Today the total u-pick area is close to 35 acres! I can only imagine seeing thousands of people annually, arriving to explore and enjoy the beautiful acres of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Once we arrived we met up with Rob Kelemen, Parkside’s farm manager and a wealth of information who shared details about the growing season and easily answered every question. He explained that all customers get a certain weight of produce included in their admission fee; beyond that additional pounds are weighed and priced for each customer.
My mother Jennifer and sister Shelli accompanied me and walked the grounds to survey everything Parkside had to offer. We had a great time exchanging travel stories as we surveyed row after row of berries, crops and flowers, all meticulously maintained and thoughtfully laid out.
Parkside welcomes approximately 90,000 customers in a typical season, June through September. They’re best known for delicious strawberries, and they’ve been able to cultivate and innovate their growing season utilizing a tabletop model. Irrigation tubing runs down the tables to deliver water throughout the season.
The tabletop system is beneficial for several reasons, beginning with how it streamlines u-picking: no bending over, so even children and adults with mobility challenges can easily reach berries. There are also far fewer weeds!
Beyond strawberries, Parkside also produces blackberries, red- and blackcurrants, raspberries and plums. Vegetable choices include beets, zucchini, French beans, onions and sweet corn. Sunflowers and honey fresh from the hive are also popular products.
Innovative irrigation accounts for part of their success growing multiple crops. In 1983 they built their own reservoir and an extensive network of underground mains. Their drip irrigation systems have expanded over time, giving them precise control right at the farm.
In 2015 and 2019 Parkside was selected as the Pick Your Own Farm of the Year by the Farm Retail Association.
“Parkside Farm offers the full ‘Pick Your Own’ experience, with a huge variety of crops on offer,” judges said. “It’s a well-presented, well-maintained farm that offers customers an excellent day out.”
Originally from their own cows and now from neighboring herds, Parkside has used manure to boost soil fertility, ensuring consistent, high-quality produce for their customers. Truly it seems Richard and Rob have thought of every way to make their farm a sustainable community asset, today and for future generations.
I’m so grateful for the opportunity to visit Parkside Farm in person and learn more about their version of agritourism.
Agriculture is important in every part of the world. Farms and farmland are dwindling everywhere, so it’s exciting to see multi-generational farms like Parkside pivot toward agritourism and embrace innovation to stay relevant in ever-changing times.
An active member of the Kent County Farm Bureau, Nicole Zaagman owns and manages Parkside Farm in Byron Center. A passionate traveling agvocate sharing farm education with her herd of pygmy goats and Jump for JOY Program, Zaagman encourages consumers to connect with and support local farms.
Share Story
Article Tags
