Time for berry picking.
O klahoma’s agritourism industry is ripe with beauty. Farms and ranches across the state are opening their gates and allowing individuals and families to come and indulge in the “pickyourself ” experience.
Types of fruit, vegetables, berries, sunflowers and other wildflowers available for harvesting and can be found on the Oklahoma agritourism’s Facebook page or its website at www.oklahomaagritourism. com. Select the part of the state in which you reside, and you will see what farms and exact products are available for you and your family.
Near Gore, there is a blueberry farm which also is a Christmas tree farm. It’s called Cal2Homa. The owners, Brian and Rachelle Batesole, said their varieties go through June and into July giving you more time to pick berries. The owners chose the name “Cal2homa” because 30 years ago they moved from California to our fair state. Christmas tree season will begin on Black Friday in November.
The hours for blueberry picking at Cal-2Homa are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6-8:30 p.m. Fridays. You also can pick berries from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. “You pick” blueberries are $6 per quart and “Cal2Homa pick” are $7 per quart. Call ahead and give the Batesoles a day if you want them to pick some for you. Cal-2Homa’s phone number is (918) 489-2876.
In this age of technology, taking the family outdoors can bring some relief. Just be mindful of the heat and adjust your plans accordingly.
Of course, in the fall, pumpkins will be plentiful. If you want to try your hand at pumpkins, you’d better start now because they can have up to a 120-day growing cycle.
However, that’s for another time.
••• John Kilgore is the former Greenleaf State Park manager. He can be reached by e-mailing him at jkilgoreoutdoors@yahoo.com.
