Seasonal sites, fun fill unique farm

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Kelley Kerby and kitten Peanut enjoy the visitors that come to her family’s Sweet Berry Farm near Lexington. Year-round the farm offers fresh commodities, and in the fall, a corn maze also entertains visitors. -- Staff photo by Taylor

Oct. 27, 2005 - With Halloween and Thanksgiving just around the corner, pumpkins are popping up all over Texas.  Just outside of Lexington, in South Central Texas, there is the Sweet Berry Farm that Sue and Kenneth Kerby opened in August of 2003. Although strawberries and blackberries are their major crops, the Kerbys ship a number of fall items in for the enjoyment of area visitors, including pumpkins, gourds, squash, Indian corn, corn stalks and other fall decoration items to sell.

Along with the strawberries, blackberries and miscellaneous vegetables the Kerbys raise, they plant five acres in a hayfield maze that is in the shape of the United States. They call it the “Walk Across America” human-size maze, and it is planted each August, in order to be ready for the seasonal “walk,” which runs from the last week of September through the end of October.

�We cut pathways and usually have 12 sites located in the maze,� explained Sue. �Maze �visitors� receive a game card and have to find all 12 sites to receive a free soda or water when finished.�

Sweet Berry Farm is operated by Sue and Kenneth, along with their two children; son, Taylor, 10, and daughter, Kelley, 14, who are home-schooled. They have other family members involved, as well as four or five others who help them throughout the year, said Sue.

Hayrides, corn shelling, stuffing scarecrows, pumpkin painting and face painting are, also, available to visitors during the fall season. Groups from area schools, churches, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts as well as other “home schooled” children are always invited.

Sue noted that the best part of owning Sweet Berry Farm is the fact that they have the “opportunity to provide good, wholesome activities for the entire family to enjoy.” Along with all the berries and vegetables, there are picnic areas for groups to enjoy during the fall and/or spring seasons.

The spring season runs from mid-March through the end of June, said Sue. Mid-March through mid-May is strawberry picking time, and mid-May through the end of June is blackberry season. Other vegetables available include potatoes, tomatoes, onions and green beans. All berries and vegetables are a “pick-your-own” type of sale, with prices quoted by the pound.

A big favorite of the crowds is the homemade ice cream offered. Sue added that the strawberry, blackberry, vanilla and berry-berry ice cream are always in demand. They even feature a “Homemade Pumpkin Pie” flavored ice cream during the fall!

Each October, the Kerbys plant new strawberry plants, and they are usually blooming by February and start producing fruit by mid-March through mid-May. The blackberry plants were planted in August 2003 and produce from mid-May through June. Unlike the strawberries which must be replanted each year, the blackberries last several years, explained Sue.

(If you’re looking for a fall outing for your class or family, you can contact Sweet Berry Farm at:  www.sweetberryfarm.com or 979-773-2200.)