Ward's Berry Farm
Other Ideas: Kimball Farm;
Honey Pot Hill Orchard;
Parlee Farms;
Connors Farm;
Shelburne Farm & OrchardWard's Berry Farm offers berry picking, 4H animals to visit, a big sand box with toys, and a farm stand. It's a really nice place to go with little ones.
It's a wonderful family run farm that offers berry picking, hay rides in the fall, a hay maze, pony swings, 4H animals to visit, a large sand box with toys, and a farm stand/store that includes veggies, fruits, homemade pies, jams, etc, and also smoothies made to order. It's a really nice place to go with little ones.
Hayrides & Pumpkin Picking Info
Hayrides are conducted ~every 15 minutes between 10:00a and 5:00p and run at the discretion of the farm manager, weather permitting.
Customers are not allowed to take their own car/truck to the patch under any circumstances! HAYRIDES TO THE PUMPKIN PATCH (Weekends only!): $3 per person ages 3 and up...Saturdays and Sundays starting Sept 19 through Oct 25 (and Columbus Day, Mon Oct 12th).
About Ward's Berry Farm
Brothers Jim and Bob Ward run the last commercial farm in Sharon, Massachusetts. Ward's Berry Farm covers 150 acres.
Jim and Bob's dad purchased land for the farm in 1981. In his 'retirement' he bought 7,000 blueberry bushes to start the farm. Jim says his dad was very enthusiastic about growing things. At this time, Jim was just entering college and Bob was finishing college. Bob went on to become a math teacher. Neither of them had any farming experience. But, a few years later when their father died, they decided to run the farm. They quickly learned a lot about farming, and Jim says they are still learning.
Their mother is the 'backbone of the farm'. Starting in February, she transplants every seedling in the greenhouse, and in May she starts baking. She does all the baking for the farm stand all summer. She works a long day every day as they all do.
Every day they have about 20 people working for them, and more on weekends. All crops are hand harvested, and there are many other steps done by hand. Bigger farms use more mechanization, but Wards isn't big enough. Ward's does a lot of farming pesticide free. But they are not certified organic because they use some conventional fertilizers and pesticides on occasion.
There's nothing like the flavor of produce when it's ripe, juicy, and just picked a few hours ago. You receive corn from Ward's Berry Farm the same day it is picked. Sweet and luscious - the best flavor of summer!
Then there are the heirloom tomatoes: Brandywine, Green Zebra, Striped German (a beautiful golden tomato with red streaks) - the juicy, bold, sweet flavor lingers on the tongue. Ward's farm also brings us strawberries, blueberries, peaches, peas, rhubarb, and other produce in season as well as over 30 varieties of heirloom squashes, including the region’s only (and much underappreciated) native variety, the Blue Hubbard Squash.
You can find more places to
pick your own strawberries near boston in our handy guide to summer fun.
Admission & parking is free
www.farmfresh.org/food/farm.php?farm=1693
614 South Main Street, Sharon, MA, 02067
mapPhone: (781) 784-6939
Love This PlaceI dont know what half of you are talking about, the only charge and wrist band requirement is associated with PICK YOUR OWN. There is no fee for visiting 4H or the playground. Even their birthday parties are incredibly reasonably priced for a 2 hour rental, ride and activity. I have been taking my kids year round for 5 years and we all love it.
Loved This Place My friend asked me if I would like to go strawberry picking. I had never heard of such a thing. I was so happy that she invited me and my 2 year old daughter. We went there today. It was a whole lot of fun. I really enjoyed the entire place. The price was very reasonable. $6 for a basket of strawberries to pick. I thought that was a great deal. Our children went on the horse swings, and they loved them. The kid's enjoyed feeding the animals. Afterwards we had some snacks in the on site store. We enjoyed a delicious blueberry scone, and a smoothie. It was such a pleasant experience. We are going to go back in July for blueberry picking. What a fantastic place for kids and parents!
Pick Your OwnWith the new introduction of the admission charge of $2 per person over 2 years, which may not seem much but adds up when you add it to the cost of the berries and then the bag of food to feed the farm animals.
It means we'll only go once a year, sad.
Wards Charges AdmissionWhat happened to Ward Berry Farm? My husband took my two year old this weekend to see the farm animals and he said 'Wards went *&!*%@!! Huh? Apparently, they started charging to get in as of July 2009. Anyone over 3 years old has to pay $2? Ok, there is a sandbox, some swings, a few stationary bouncy horses for the small children and a donated slide (by Sharon Heights Elementary) There is a small petting Zoo run by FH. It is non profit and we pay $1 for a small bag of pellets to feed the animals if we want. My husband saw a large family arrive and as they were entering a teenager was chasing after them asking 'Do you need to pay for bracelets?' The family looked very confused. I know the economy is bad, but what the heck is Wards doing? They put a big moon bounce near the swings, so now people have to pay? Pay to use a playground, see some farm animals and jump in an unnecessary moonbounce? First of all, a moon bounce is an eyesore, unsanitary and causes injuries. So Wards is trying to make this place into an amusement park or a play place? Sure, pay for the tractor ride,corn maze or to pick your own fruit, not to use the swings! Whatever, we won't be going back, and neither should you, on principal. Go to WWI Memorial Park in N Attleboro. It has a wonderful little zoo with farm animals, two great playgrounds, a giant tunnel slide, flower garden, a coin fountain and it's free! There are many other local farms to go to without paying an entrance fee. The Big Apple in Wrentham, Jane and Pauls farm in Norfolk, etc….
Very Disappointing Very disappointing. Beginning July 6th 2009 the cost for admission is $2
per person ages 3 and up for just for nothing: to enter the fields and
playground. On the top of berries. Not fun anymore. With admission price the cost of berries is so significant that not worth picking!
Pumpkin Hayride On Tuesday October 7th the children from Quincy After School Child Care were treated to a wonderful afternoon hayride. The weather was perfect, not hot & not cold. Everyone was quite comfortable. The hayride started with a delicious juicy crisp apple. The staff were very warm & happy to share the stories regarding the farms various crops. The highlight was when the children were set loose in the pumpkin patch where they got to pick their own pumpkin to take home. After thanking the staff, we boarded our bus for the trip back to school. Once we got back the staff put out paint & brushes for the children to decorate their pumpkins. The staff & the children had a wonderful time spending a fun, educational day at the farm.
Perfect Place For Strawberry Picking This place is the perfect place for strawberry picking. Perfect outing for kids. You can go on a hayride out to the field for like $2. Bring your own basket or container or purchase one there. They have a small 4H petting zoo with farm animals. There are other fruits and vegtables available as well. Bring a lunch and picnic near the apple trees. There is a huge sandbox for the kids to play. Strawberry picking starts around June 16th.
The People Make The Farm The Ward family are truly special people, and their warm and welcoming ways are reflected in everyone who works there. The food is fresh and clean at Ward's Berry. Thanks for being such fine people.
Wards Home made baked goods made every morning!
Muffins,breads,cookies,scones and pies of all kinds offered everyday. The sandwich station has a Grilled Eggplant Mozzarella sandwich that is to die for! Make the trip out! A great family place!
Smoothies And Berry Picking The people who work at Ward's make it special. Sarah at the smoothie counter made my children so happy and put extra time and attention into making it a fun experience for them. Hay ride and Berry picking is the best part of this fun place.
Info changes frequently. We cannot warrant it. Verify with Ward's Berry Farm before making the trek. If you find an error, please report it...
