Berries are ripe and ready at Blueberry Thrill Farm

GIBSONVILLE, N.C. (WGHP) — It’s peak season for blueberries right now, and local farms have lots of berries that are fresher than what you’ll normally find in grocery stores. 

Brad Jones stopped by Blueberry Thrill Farm in Gibsonville to find out why.

Wil Langhorne has plenty of blueberry bushes covered with ripe berries, along with blackberries, peaches and much more. His farm is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, because it’s a pick-your-own operation. 

He says customers can come and pick lots of berries, and a new crop will be ripe and ready in just a few days. 

Wil’s parents started Blueberry Thrill Farm back in 1982; when they decided to retire, he took over. He told us that things have changed over the years. 

“I think my folks had trouble getting people to be interested 20 or 30 or 40 years ago in the value of blueberries. I think now people say, this is a really healthy fruit and we want to come do this, we want to pick these.” 

More customers are interested in the nutritional value because blueberries are a superfood with lots of vitamins and minerals, along with plenty of antioxidants. However, Wil sees another benefit too. As families visit, they learn more about where food comes from and the value of local farmers. 

He took a break from work to talk with us, saying, “I’m not some conglomerate… It’s just me, I’m the farmer, I’m the businessman, I’m the marketer … there are no employees here, it’s just me and I think when people come out and see that and understand that, I think they have a little more appreciation for what all this is.” 

One thing’s for sure – folks like to stop by for the berries, but they always leave with much more, including a new understanding about agriculture and a real appreciation for why local is always better when it comes to the best berries of the year.

They are open for you to pick your own berries on Wednesday and Saturday at Blueberry Thrill Farm, 6938 Eaglesfield Road in Gibsonville.  You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram, or check their website.

Source: Fox 8 Made in North Carolina