U-Pick Latest News:
October 15, 2021: Raspberry picking is done for the season and the field is now closed. Hope you enjoyed the berries!
Interested in volunteering during raspberry season? Signup Here
Raspberry picking is by advanced signup. Sign-up for U-pick Raspberries Now!
Thank you for your patience!
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
UPDATE: the Raspberry Fields are now CLOSED for the 2021 season.
(Subject to change depending on weather and field conditions)
Important Info
- You must sign-up for a time slot in advance for raspberry picking.
- 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 if you are unvaccinated. We require everyone to wear masks when indoors at this time.
- 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!
- Know where to park before you arrive
- Wash your hands at the restrooms or at our field wash station before picking
- If unvaccinated or indoors (for everyone), wear your mask
- 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 and 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.
- 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
- For our serious pickers – bring your own containers, we’ll tare them and you pay per pound ($10/pound).
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!
Walk-up Window
Description: We need volunteers to help direct customers to the raspberry rows, and help answer questions about picking.
- You will greet customers when they check-in at the Farm Stand.
- You will collect fees and handout picking containers
- You will answer questions!
Training: Sign up for a training session here
Volunteers should: Come prepared and dressed to be outdoors for their 1.5 hour shift. Volunteers will be stationed in the field and should be comfortable talking with customers, standing for over an hour, and reminding visitors to keep their masks on and wash their hands.
Time Commitment: We love having volunteers who can work 4-6 shifts or more! throughout the raspberry season. This helps us make sure that our time training volunteers is spent well.
Age Requirements: 15+ (some exceptions apply)
Time Slots (Typically) Available:
Tuesday:
- 8:30 – 10:00
- 10:00 – 11:30
- 11:30 – 1:00
Wednesday:
- 2:30 – 4:00
- 4:00 – 5:30
- 5:30-6:30
Saturdays:
- 8:30 – 10:00
- 10:00 – 11:30
- 11:30 – 1:00
Field Coordinator
Description: We need volunteers to help direct customers to the 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
Training: Sign up for a training session here
Volunteers should: Come prepared and dressed to be outdoors for their 1.5 – 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 love having volunteers who can work 4-6 shifts or more! throughout the raspberry season. This helps us make sure that our time training volunteers is spent well.
Age Requirements: 15+ (some exceptions apply)
Time Slots (Typically) Available:
Tuesday:
- 8:30 – 10:00
- 10:00 – 11:30
- 11:30 – 1:00
Wednesday:
- 2:30 – 4:00
- 4:00 – 5:30
- 5:30 – 6:30
Saturdays:
- 8:30 – 10:00
- 10:00 – 11:30
- 11:30 – 1:00
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:
- have taken our general volunteer orientation
- come dressed and prepared for the weather that day
- wear sleeves to protect from prickers
- Wear their masks at all times if unvaccinated and if working indoors (this goes for everyone!) and wash their hands before coming into the fields
Time Commitment: We love it when volunteers are able to make the commitment to work 4-6 shifts during raspberry picking season (September – October). This is not a hard and fast rule, but this helps us make sure our time training volunteers is used effectively.
Signing up: Current volunteers can log into Track it Forward and sign up for volunteer slots. New volunteers should start off by filling in our Volunteer Intake Form.
Age Requirements: 14+ (some exceptions apply)
Time Slots Available: TBD
If interested in volunteering, please read through each volunteer role description, then fill out our New Volunteer Form. If you have questions, reach out to us at volunteers@wlfarm.org.
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 if you are unvaccinated or are indoors
- 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! Bring your containers up to the farm stand to be tared. Once we have their base weight, you can pick directly into them. Then we will weigh your berries and charge a per pound price at the end.
Do you have Public Restrooms?
We do have 2 individual bathrooms off the back of the Farm House. Just ask our staff / volunteers where to go!
Where can I Park?
Check out our current parking instructions here. If our main lot at 82 Ridge street is full, here are your alternative parking recommendations.
- Tuesday & Wednesday pickers should plan to park at Mullen Field, entrance on Lockeland Road, across from the Fire Station
- Saturday pickers should plan to park at St. Eulalia’s, 50 Ridge Street (Sandlot Soccer uses ALL of Mullen Field on Saturdays in the fall)
*PLEASE DO NOT PARK at the community garden next tot he fire station. These are for community garden members, and we want to respect their space.