U-Pick Latest News
Our U-pick Raspberry fields open September 1st, 2020! There’s a bunch of changes compared to last year due to COVID-19. Please scroll down for information about this season’s schedule, how to reserve an aisle for picking, and important details to know before arriving at the farm. We thank you for you patience as we try to keep everyone safe.
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Every season, we open up our fields for U-Pick Raspberries. Our fruit is an organic late bearing crop that starts to ripen in late August/early September.
We have a limited number of rows of raspberries open to the public. Raspberry picking is a nostalgic holdover from before Wright-Locke became the community-centric farm that it is now. Many who grew up in the area remember crisp Autumn days of delicious berry picking – we strive to continue this tradition, while at the same time making room for other important farm operations that support our annual vegetable production, volunteer efforts, education programs, biodiversity, and diversification of revenue sources.
Raspberries are very weather dependent — if we have to close the field, we will post information here first!
General Hours
(Subject to change depending on weather and field conditions)
Tuesdays: 9AM – 12PM & 3PM – 6PM
Wednesdays: 3PM – 6PM
Saturdays: 9AM – 12PM
Important Info
- You must sign-up for a time slot to come raspberry picking. Slots are 1 hour long.
- We will be assigning everyone their own row for picking during their time slot.
- You may have up to 6 people in your group (4 children max per 1 adult).
- You must wear your mask at all times on the Farm
- Please read through the “Before You Come” and “How It Works” sections of this page so you know what to expect when you come to pick raspberries!
We kindly ask you to respect these rules when you come to pick raspberries:
- Please sign-up in advance for a picking time-slot. Arrive on time!
- Parking is limited this year due to construction of the All Seasons Barn (Parking details here)
- Wash your hands before picking
- Wear your mask at the farm (children 2+)
- No dogs in the fields please! (for organic standards)
- Please do not throw the fruit
- Please do not change diapers in the fields
- Remember this is a working farm: please be actively aware of your surroundings
- Children must stay with their adults
Thank you and Enjoy!
Picking Raspberries at Wright-Locke Farm
- Check-in at our walk-up window at the Farm Stand – you will pre-pay for berry containers here, then will be directed to our “field coordinator”
- Say “Hi” to our volunteer field coordinator at the front of the fields – they will direct you to your aisle, answer your questions about raspberry picking.
- Wash your hands at our field hand wash station
- Start Picking! Please no snacking until after you’ve left the fields: we want to limit hand/mouth/mask contact due to COVID.
- Pick until the bell rings. We ring the bell to signal each half hour has passed. You will have one hour to pick; please be mindful and exit the fields the opposite way you came in when you are done.
- Head to the Farm Stand to get covers for your berry containers, and to buy any snacks or groceries you need!
- Enjoy your berries!
Raspberry Pricing
- Half Pint: $5
- Pint: $8
- Quart: $14
Organic raspberries are a rare thing to see in this area, and for good reason: they are difficult to maintain, they are very dependent on the unpredictable weather, and there are many pests that LOVE eating berries as much as we do. We carry on the tradition of offering U-Pick raspberries because we love that our community can come out to the Farm to enjoy our organic fruit. We appreciate your understanding of the labor, love, and hard work that goes into providing this opportunity.
Volunteering during Raspberry season is a fun way to get involved at the farm during a beautiful time of year. Spend time outside, meet and make new friends from the surrounding community, and help continue the long standing tradition of raspberry picking at Wright-Locke Farm! Here are a couple of different ways to volunteer. Please read each volunteer description and then send us an email at Farmstand@wlfarm.org to let us know that you’d like to help!
NOTE: Due to COVID-19, we have altered our operations for the safety of staff, volunteers, and customers. If you have volunteered in the past, please read the details of each position below and sign-up for the appropriate short training session
Welcome Window Volunteer
Description: We need volunteers to help us at the Farm Stand this Fall to greet and check-in customers and take payment for their U-pick Raspberry purchases.
Volunteers should: be friendly and welcoming, comfortable using an iPad, handling money, and making change. The Farm Stand is unheated and un-airconditioned and can get quite hot or cold — volunteers should be comfortable with these fluctuations and come dressed for the weather. Volunteers will be required to wear masks and gloves at all times. Volunteers will be working inside the Farm Stand; visitors will remain outside the Farm Stand.
Time Commitment: We’d prefer to have volunteers commit to a consistent 2 hour time slot once a week from Sept 1st – 20th, or Sept 21st – Oct. 11th. We also require attending a Zoom training session at the end of August.
Age Requirements: 15+
Time Slots Available:
Tuesday:
- 8:45am – 10:45am
- 10:45am – 12:45pm
- 2:45pm – 4:45pm
- 4:45pm – 6:45pm
Wednesday:
- 8:45am – 10:45am
- 10:45am – 12:45pm
- 2:45pm – 4:45pm
- 4:45pm – 6:45pm
Saturdays:
- 8:45am – 10:45am
- 10:45am – 12:45pm
Field Coordinator
Description: We need volunteers to help direct customers to the correct raspberry rows, and help answer questions about picking.
- You will greet customers after they have checked-in at the Farm Stand.
- You will monitor the handwash station in the field
- You will show each customer group to their assigned picking aisle.
Volunteers should: Come prepared and dressed to be outdoors for their 2 hour shift. Volunteers will be stationed in the field and should be comfortable talking with customers, standing for 2 hours, and reminding visitors to keep their masks on and wash their hands.
Time Commitment: We’d prefer to have volunteers commit to a consistent 2 hour time slot once a week from Sept 1st – 20th, or Sept 21st – Oct. 11th. We also require attending a Zoom training session at the end of August.
Age Requirements: 15+
Time Slots Available:
Tuesday:
- 8:45am – 10:45am
- 10:45am – 12:45pm
- 2:45pm – 4:45pm
- 4:45pm – 6:45pm
Wednesday:
- 8:45am – 10:45am
- 10:45am – 12:45pm
- 2:45pm – 4:45pm
- 4:45pm – 6:45pm
Saturdays:
- 8:45am – 10:45am
- 10:45am – 12:45pm
Raspberry Picker
Description: We need help cleaning out our raspberry fields of extra and overripe fruit to keep the fields healthy and producing more berries. Come help us pick raspberries under the direction of our Farmer.
Volunteers Should:
- come dressed and prepared for the weather that day
- wear sleeves to protect from prickers
- Wear their masks at all times and wash their hands before coming into the fields
Time Commitment: We’d prefer to have volunteers commit to a consistent 2 hour time slot once a week from Sept 1st – 20th, or Sept 21st – Oct. 11th. A short zoom training session will be required before coming to the farm.
Age Requirements: 14+
Time Slots Available: Thursdays 9am-11am, or 11am-1pm (We may add more slots as needed).
If interested in volunteering, please read through each volunteer role description, then reach out to us at Farmstand@wlfarm.org letting us know that you’re interested in helping out.
What are the Rules for U-Pick?
We kindly ask you to respect these rules when you come to pick raspberries:
- Wash your hands before picking
- Wear your mask at all times
- Please do not pick any other produce or flowers – Raspberries are the only U-Pick item.
- Dogs are not allowed in the growing fields due to our Organic Certification
- Please do not change diapers in the fields – this violates Organic standards
- Do not throw raspberries – this can spread pests, disease, and is a sad waste of fruit!
- We are a busy working farm with moving vehicles, live animals, electric fences, and plenty of distractions – please be actively aware of your surroundings and members of your party at ALL times
What is SWD?
The Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii), is an Asian species of fruit fly recently introduced in the United States. It was first found on the west coast in 2008, but has rapidly colonized many fruit-producing regions of the country. Most fruit flies are annoying but harmless, propagating in overripe fruit. Instead, the SWD lays its eggs in fruit just nearing its peak. A few years ago, SWD arrived unexpectedly in New England, forcing Wright-Locke Farm and most other raspberry growers in the region to close down early. Learn More about this pest here.
Are your Raspberries Organic?
Yes, they are! All of our produce and flowers are certified organic. Which is very rare in this area as it is hard to deal with the many pests that LOVE to eat raspberries in an organic manner.
Can I Bring My Stroller?
Yes you may. While our terrain is a little tricky for strollers (gravel, dirt, and grass), our raspberry rows are wide enough for you to bring your strollers with you into the fields. We do ask that you do not change diapers in the field as that is not allowed with our Organic Certification. You may change diapers outside of our growing spaces, closer to the farmstead.
Can I Bring My Own Containers?
Definitely! We will need to make a judgement call on the volume of your containers and charge you accordingly based on our per-pint/quart pricing.
Do you have Public Restrooms?
Due to COVID-19, our restrooms are currently not open to the public. Please plan accordingly.
Where can I Park?
Check out our current parking instructions here.