a Blackberry Farm?
Finding Our FLX: The Very First Step Toward a Blackberry Farm
Some ideas start with a business plan. Others come to life with years of research and preparation. But this one? It started with a feeling. A spark of inspiration on our 30 acres in the Finger Lakes, where we looked around and thought, what if?
We are at step 1 of 1000—and that might just be the most exciting place to be.
The Beginning of Something New
There’s something thrilling about standing at the edge of a dream with nothing but a vision and the willingness to figure it out. We don’t have a full-scale farm yet. We don’t have rows of blackberry bushes heavy with fruit. What we do have is the land, the idea, and the drive to make it happen.
So far, our journey has looked like this:
✔ Asking the big questions. Will blackberries even grow here? What varieties should we plant? What will this farm look like in 5 years?
✔ Sourcing rootstock. We’re currently testing what varieties will thrive on our land, considering things like winter hardiness, taste, and yield.
✔ Learning—constantly. We’re soaking up everything we can about soil preparation, natural pest control, and sustainable growing practices.
That’s it. That’s where we are. And yet, it already feels like something real.
The Challenges of Just Beginning
Starting from scratch is exciting, but it also means staring down a long road of unknowns:
🔹 How long will it take before we get our first real harvest? (Answer: No idea.)
🔹 What unexpected challenges will pop up? (Probably a hundred things we haven’t even thought of yet.)
🔹 How do we build something that’s sustainable and meaningful? (We’re taking this one step at a time.)
Why We’re Sharing This Now
We could wait until we have a full-fledged farm to start sharing our journey—but that’s not what this is about. We want to document the process, not just the outcome. To bring people along for the ride as we navigate the challenges, celebrate the small wins, and figure things out as we go.
Our vision is more than just growing blackberries—it’s about creating experiences, flavors, and moments that connect people to this land. Maybe that means crafting blackberry-infused cocktails, hosting seasonal events, or simply watching something we planted grow into something bigger than we imagined.
For now, though, we’re here. Step 1 of 1000. And honestly? We wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
