Strawberry jubilee

To sun-thirsty Virginians, Memorial Day meant cookouts and pool parties, but for the hundreds who flocked to Great Country Farms, the weekend also marked the celebration of the annual strawberry jubilee.

The festival, one of a half-dozen in late May and early June in Virginia, featured u-pick strawberries, as well as live music, pie-eating contests, wine tasting, a diaper derby, and a plethora of hands-on activities for kids. The weekend marked the peak of strawberry season.

Great Country Farms is a family owned and operated farm. The goal is for people to know the family, know their food, and grow their own food.

Debbie Zurschmeide-Schoeb, one of the owners, said the farm has grown "like crazy" since its opening. Her family has been growing berries in Loudoun County for over 30 years.

"People love to create their own family tradition," said Zurschmeide-Schoeb, "Our farm is family friendly. People can decompress and take a piece of the farm with them."

In recent years, many farms have stopped utilizing pick-your-own fruit, because of the upkeep it takes. Great Country Farms has no intention of stepping away from u-pick. Their goal is for people to be connected with them.

Jenna Brownell, one of the growers, recently graduated from Prescott College with a degree in agroecology (the combination of agriculture and ecology). She is working to naturalize the farm to make it safer for both people and the earth. Rather than using pesticides or herbicides, Brownell and the other growers are using the resources on the farm to bring organic produce to consumers. They are utilizing techniques such as cover cropping, mulching, and companion planting.

"We are creating a habitat," Brownell said, "We're working with plants, bringing in the good bugs to eat the bad bugs, and looking at the soil. We want to invite the local habitat to do their thing."

Brownell encourages people to eat locally grown food, as it's safe and healthy.

"What's fresh is better for you," Brownell said, "If you buy lettuce from California, it's been sitting in a truck for two weeks and is not as good for you. I would eat local food over organic food. Local food is packed with cancer fighting agents. It pulls its nutrition up from the soil. The more local you are, the more you get to know your farmers and see who touched your food."

The heart-shaped size of the strawberry symbolizes its heart-healthiness. Strawberries are a high source of vitamin C and a cancer-fighting agent. They also increase good cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and are a good source of fiber.

Strawberries were first used by the Indians. When the early Colonists arrived in America, they shipped the strawberry plant back to Europe. Because the plant grew so plentifully in the wild, the Colonists did not cultivate it.

By the 19th century, Americans had begun planting strawberries in their home gardens. Strawberries with cream had become a luxury dessert, which increased cultivation of the plant. Settlers took the plant with them as they moved west, spreading the production of it across America. In 1843, growers shipped the berry across the states by spreading ice on top of strawberry boxes.

The first strawberry festival took place in 1850.

Visit http://www.greatcountryfarms.com/ for more information on u-pick dates and events. The farm is located at 18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont, VA 20135.

Check out our Facebook and Twitter pages today!