Strawberry Fields Forever
What is better than a ripe strawberry picked fresh in the field, or a handful of blueberries straight from the bush? ‘Nothing’ is the answer that Doug Finke and Diane Feld-Finke would give. The
couple’s berry farm has come a long way since it began in 1986.
Finke’s Berry Farm is a family operation. Originally the farm produced vegetables as well as berries, but now the focus is on the two acres of blueberries and 11 acres of strawberries. Both Finke children, 20 year old Jess and 18 year old Anna, are involved in the business. The main emphasis on the Berry Farm is “pick-your-own”, although the ready picked strawberry market increases every year. The work force consists of the Feld-Finke family and hired help, comprised primarily of local high school students.
Soil Fertility Program
By using compost and green manures, the soil on the berry farm is continually growing. The fertility program is enhanced through the use of foliar fertilizers which are applied when the soil is under stress, as well as during the critical planting and growing times. Foliar fertilizer helps keep the berry plants at their optimal nutritional levels, which gives the berries a great taste and contributes to the reduction of disease and insect damage. There have been no fungicides used for several years on Finke’s Berry Farm and herbicides were last used 12 years ago. The absence of fungicides and herbicides is made possible by a system of mowing and crop rotation that Doug has developed.
By mowing around the fields and the areas that are not currently planted, and through the use of cultivation and tillage between the strawberry rows, the Finke’s are able to control most weeds. The weeds that persist are taken care of by the tenacious work crew who dispose of them with hoes and hands. Decisions to use insecticides are made using a method described as “bug count”, and the use of these chemical only happens when it is economically necessary, and then only on the field or part of the field that warrants attention.
Healthy and Happy Customers
“With healthy and happy berry plants, the next goal is healthy and happy customers,” said Diane Feld-Finke. Whether it is families, school groups, or individuals, many people have enjoyed the pleasure of picking their own berries at Finke’s Berry Farm. The strawberries, a favorite of many customers, are great to eat directly from the field and make excellent pies and jams. The blueberries are sweet and tender, and are used for a wide variety of culinary delights.
The efforts of the Feld-Finke family to grow healthy berries have not gone unnoticed. The University of Minnesota, in its 18th Annual Farm and Family Recognition Program in the spring of 1998, recognized Doug and Diane, as one among ten honorees, for their contribution to “new initiatives in agriculture”. Honorees were nominated for the award by local county Extension staff and agricultural leaders. Both Doug and Diane are involved in the Sustainable Farming Association as well as a specialty crops program.
Finke’s Berry Farm is more than a business. “We want our customers to have fun, we want them to feel like it is ‘our farm’.” By growing healthy berry plants using sustainable methods such as:
* crop rotation,
* natural fertilization and
* hand planting,
* picking
* and weeding,
the entire Feld-Finke family and numerous customers are enjoying the products of the land. The people who stop by the farm for a day of berry-picking and those on the receiving end of delicacies made with Finke berries are reaping the bounty from this amazing operation. “We believe that friendly, helpful service can’t be stressed enough,” said Doug. Using direct marketing techniques has helped the Feld-Finke’s reach a wider base of consumers and this is one area the family would like to expand in the future. In the meantime those on Finke’s Berry Farm will continue to plant and harvest great tasting berries and take care of their corner of rural Carlton County.