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Lyndas Wards Berry Farm Story

I’m a country girl at heart, and if I had the chance to live on a farm, I’d certainly feel at home with all the animals, fruits, vegetables, and yes, the bugs, while getting my fingernails and any bare part of my skin covered in the pungent smell of earth. There’s something incredibly special about being so close to nature and watching something that you plant start to grow. I recently planted my own herb garden, including some tomato plants along with some pretty marigolds that add color and distract pesky bugs and those very cute and innocent looking---nose twitching bunnies that like to visit and chomp down the garden with their mighty and continually growing appetites.

This spring, my dad and mom planted pear, plum, and apple trees in the backyard and each day that passed, both would admire the slightest change in each tree. My folks would take pride in the daily afternoon arrival of a catbird that loved to perch on the branches of the plum and pear tree, while returning the favor by removing any bugs on the braches or leaves.

But one day it was a different, and if I didn’t see it with my own eyes I would not have believed it. A chipmunk climbed up the plum tree (the plum tree that my dad has dibs on) and sat on the branch and began to saw off, with his teeth, one of the branches. My dad happened to have his binoculars out on the table and watched in shocked as his precious plum tree was being unappreciately pruned by this mini lumberjack. The plum tree is doing much better and now has new growth developing. The chipmunk is still happily scampering around in the yard and has gone back to snacking on his menu of acorn seeds, bird seed, and other little tidbits the yard has to offer. The second time he tried to gnaw down on the plum tree, he got a shower from the garden hose.

When I went to Ward’s Berry Farm with a couple of my co-workers from work a couple of weeks ago, it was not only a time to eat, shop and eat again, but a time to really get some good laughs in. Pam, Carlene, and her 10-year-old daughter, Kaleighia, and I, decided to check out the goodies inside the store such as the pies and breads, since they tend to sell out quickly. After I hogged the pies, I purchased two pies, one cherry (one of my favorites) and the other berry rhubarb (my mom polished that one off). I set my sights on the zucchini and banana bread and scoped up one of each. After storing our goodies in the truck of the car we stayed outside to walk around the farm. It was a beautiful day and the weather was a pleasant and humidity free 80 degrees. We strolled by young apple and peach trees and later we were able to taste the berries of a Mulberry tree. Too appreciate and to savor the flavor of a mulberry, it’s best to pick one when its color has matured to a deep purple. Along with strawberry picking, there was the special of the day, which was peapod, picking. We continued to investigate the farm’s surroundings and noticed one rooster happily strutting around the ground like he owned the place; birds singing beautiful melodies all over the farm; and not one mosquito bit me the entire time I was outside.

I was giddier than Kaleighia when it came to petting the animals on the farm and I was talking to them like they were children. I especially had a nice conversation with one of the goats. Then out of the blue, Carlene yells out than she spotted an Owl on top of the shed. I couldn’t help but laugh as I told her that it was a wooden statue. I then replied to her that she had just witnessed spotting the rare wooden Owl of Sharon, Ma. When we composed ourselves we enjoyed another round of giggles over Carlene’s discovery.

After chitchatting with the animals, we were all getting hungry. I went to the washroom to clean up, then we headed into the café. I ordered the veggie wrap on tomato bread, since the spinach bread was sold out. And for dessert, we ordered soft-serve ice cream. I had rainbow sprinkles on mine. The whole meal experience was delicious and filling…well worth every mouthful! Next time, I’m trying the Portabella wrap, hopefully, on spinach bread. And no doubt about it… I’m going to order another soft-serve ice cream. Maybe, I’ll even ask for the chocolate sprinkles instead...maybe.

There was also a section devoted to kids, so they could play outside, dig in the sand and ride small bikes which was in close proximity to where we hopped aboard the tractor run hayride that took us into the strawberry fields. I must confess that I had never tasted such sweet and juicy strawberries as I did when handpicking them at Ward’s Berry Farm. There were so many strawberries to pick that it felt like I was swimming through an ocean of red, sweet, sticky liquid. It was so much fun gathering our strawberries that when Kaleighia and I were finished, we raced though the strawberry path like two kids on a summer afternoon of freedom.

My friend and co-worker Pam, loves Ward’s Berry Farm and I asked her a few questions about this lovely family-owned farm and what makes it so special for her to keep going back.

I started by asking, "Why do you think Ward’s Berry Farm has been so successful over the years, and how long have you been going there?"

Her reply was, “Ward’s Berry farm is a wonderful family environment. All Ward’s Berry Farm vegetables are all natural or “Farm grown.” You can also go on a nice hayride or pick strawberries or blueberries. I have been going to Ward’s Berry Farm for five years.”

"Is there a certain day of the week and time you prefer to go shopping at the farm?" I continued.

“I would go everyday if I could, but I prefer the weekend, around early morning. Ward’s Berry Farm is open at 8:30 a.m.” she volunteered.

"Are there specialty items you’ve noticed at the farm that the bigger food stores don’t carry?" I inquired.

"Ward’s Berry Farm has fresh vegetables. I also feel that the larger food stores such as Shaws, don't have the fresh vegetables that I like,” Pam said.

"Which seasonal foods or desserts do you recommend?" I asked again.

“I recommend the following peach, apple, blueberry, and berry pies. I also recommend all of Ward’s Berry Farm muffins, zucchini bread, pumpkin bread, raisin & pumpkin bread, raisin & hermit cookies, sugar cookies, veggie wraps, fruit drinks, and fruit jam," she explained.

Afterwards, I felt like I was a kid in a candy shop, except it wasn’t candy I salivating over. Instead, it was all the homemade jams and vinegars, the pancake syrup, bags of nuts, and the green beans that were so tasty, Kaleighia enjoyed eating them raw. I think one of the nicest perks about Ward’s Berry Farm is that you’re able to snack on vegetables and the fruits such as cherries and grapes before purchasing them. Much unlike the feeling you get at the supermarket, when you sample the goods before purchasing the entire bag or package.

I’m going back this Saturday and I’m planning to indulge my taste buds again and to get another piece of the pie (alright, a whole pie) but this time it’s either going to be apple or blueberry, if it’s there, and to load up on the zucchini bread. I’m also going to order the Portabella wrap and I will definitely get another soft serve ice cream come. Maybe, I'll choose to put chocolate sprinkles on it.

So the next time you get that funny feeling, like something is itching at your brain, to have you go and do something fun, maybe you’ll need to scratch back at it with a healthy dose of fresh air, good food, and a simply delightful hayride to the strawberry fields at Ward’s Berry Farm, located at 614 South Main Street in Sharon. It’ll most likely be one of the beeriest decisions you’ve made.