Florida Strawberry Members

Welcome to the home of the freshest, most delicious strawberries in the world. Enjoy fresh Florida strawberries, available December through April.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • About FSGA
    • Florida Strawberry Growers Association
    • Membership Benefits
    • Become a Member
    • Member Login
  • Resources
    • Industry + Gov’t Resources
    • Nursery Forms
    • WPS Videos
  • Research
    • Papers and Projects
    • IFAS Research
    • Agritech Research
  • Events
    • Calendar
  • Contact Us
  • Join FSGA
  • Your Account
    • Member Login
    • Register
    • Edit Your Profile
    • Your Membership
  • Consumer Site
  • Member Login

Berry Bay U-Pick 2015

February 27, 2015 by FSGA

Berry Bay Farms

Berry Bay U-Pick is Closed.

Mid-March is Berry Bay Farms’ U-Pick season usually begins. They will allow the public to pick their own strawberries in March. Please check their website or you can call their office at (813) 642-9866 for more information.

No need to schedule an appointment. Just come out to the farm, once the fields have opened for u-pick, and they will greet you at the gate.

Berry Bay Farms is solely owned by Marvin and Linda Brown.  They have been in the strawberry business since 1978 and have been involved with several more farms and 2 cooler/sales companies.

If you have any further questions, please email them at upick@berrybayfarms.com.

Location:
5135 Bonita Drive
Wimauma, FL 33598

Helpful U-Pick Tips:

  • Dress comfortably. Wear loose fitting clothing.
  • Wear a hat or cap and bring sunscreen.
  • Bring your own containers to transport.
  • If you plan to spend the day, take ice to keep berries cool.
  • Select only firm ripe berries.
  • Be careful not to remove the tops of the berries.
  • Make an effort to pick every ripe berry on each plant rather than jumping from plant to plant and row to row.

The growers will appreciate your consideration and you will reduce the amount of strawberries that are left sitting in the field.

Filed Under: Events, Latest News Tagged With: Associated Press, Berry, Berry Princess (Strawberry Shortcake), California, Concentrate, Flavor, florida, Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City, strawberry

Fresh From Florida Billboards Promote Strawberries

December 23, 2014 by FSGA

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services today launched a new “Fresh From Florida” marketing campaign with billboard ads across the state that feature fresh Florida produce.

New Advertising Campaign First of Its Kind in Florida
New Advertising Campaign First of Its Kind in Florida

“These billboards will showcase wholesome and delicious Florida strawberries, tomatoes and sweet corn,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “The new ad campaign will help us increase awareness for the seasonal availability of ‘Fresh From Florida’ products.”

Beginning today, the billboard ads will be up in Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Boynton Beach and Tallahassee. The strawberry billboards will go through February, followed by tomatoes and sweet corn.

Read more at: Fresh from Florida

Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: Advertising Campaign, florida, Florida Billboard, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, florida strawberries, Florida Strawberry Growers, Fresh From Florida, Marketing Campaign, Produce Advertising

Florida Strawberries on Target

December 4, 2014 by FSGA

From The Produce News:

Florida strawberry workers picking fresh berries in the early morning. These berries go directly from the plant to the clamshell.
Florida strawberry workers picking fresh berries in the early morning. These berries go directly from the plant to the clamshell.

Shipments of Florida strawberries began in mid-November in a light way with much greater volume expected by the week of Dec. 8, which is right on target, according to Kenneth Parker of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association.

“We typically run from November through March,” said the association’s newly appointed executive director, adding that the crop can also be harvested and shipped into April if market conditions warrant it.

…

Parker relayed that Florida growers are bullish about this season and the long-term prospects for the local strawberry industry. For quite some time, the industry has had an aggressive breeding program with the University of Florida, and some very promising varieties are being developed in that program.

Continue reading from the original article.

Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: A. L. Morton, agriculture, American Farm Bureau Federation, florida, florida strawberries, Kenneth Parker, Plant City, strawberry, Winter Strawberries

FSGA Appoints Kenneth Parker as New Executive Director

November 8, 2014 by FSGA

Kenneth Parker, the new FSGA Executive Director is a natural fit to lead strawberry growers in new goals.

After working out of the front of his truck and spending much of the last 20 years in the area’s strawberry fields, Kenneth Parker, the new Executive Director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, is still getting used to sitting behind a desk and office air conditioning!

Kenneth, a Plant City native, began his new job in July after being hired in a unanimous vote of the FSGA board. He’s the perfect fit for the job, having lifelong relationships with many of the growers and helping them maximize their yields as a certified crop adviser in his previous position with Chemical Dynamics.

In his new position, Kenneth also oversees two related organizations: The Florida Strawberry Patent Service Corp., which licenses the use of new varieties of Florida strawberries, and the Florida Strawberry Research and Education Foundation, which supports the development of new varieties and other grower-related research at the University of Florida.

Being outside and visiting with growers always beats sitting behind his desk sending emails, according to Kenneth. “I want to be out making sure that the association is a value-added part of their business,” he said. “The only way to know is to go out and ask them.

Kenneth will also tell you that he favors the old-fashioned way of communicating over today’s impersonal texts and tweets, so you’re more likely to get a personal visit or phone call from him. “You need to hear someone’s voice inflection and tone when they’re speaking to really be able to effectively communicate,” he said.

As Executive Director, Kenneth will focus on “the many moving parts” that make up the state’s strawberry industry, including the patenting and licensing of new strawberry varieties, channeling royalties to ensure continued research and enhancing marketing efforts of the unique crop that is Florida winter strawberries.

When it comes to reaching his goals for the FSGA, Kenneth is quick to commend and recognize the staff for taking on more responsibilities, allowing the organization to best serve the growers and ensure the future growth of both crops and consumers.

This lifelong resident of Hillsborough County has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and citrus from Florida Southern College. He is an associate director of the Florida Strawberry Festival and serves as superintendent of the steer committee. He also serves on the board of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, is an associate board member of the Florida FFA Foundation, and on the Hillsborough County strawberry and vegetable advisory committee.

Kenneth also enjoys ranching and is a member of the Florida Cattleman’s Association. He is a partner at the South Prong Ranch, a commercial cow, calf and hay operation, near the Welcome community in Lithia, Fla.

This sixth generation Floridian is committed to agricultural education and enjoys helping FFA and 4-H members with their livestock and crop projects. He knows these young people are the leaders of the future and they represent what is right with America. Kenneth is convinced their projects help build excellent character, sound work ethic, and personal responsibility.

Kenneth is married to his high school sweetheart Dee, and they have two children, Jerrod and Calli Jo. Jerrod is married to Summer Norris Parker and serves as a crop adviser for Chemical Dynamics. Calli Jo is married to James Baker and is a teacher at Knights Elementary. Kenneth is a deacon and Sunday school teacher at Welcome Baptist Church in Lithia.

Filed Under: Blog, Latest News Tagged With: Executive Director, florida, florida strawberries, florida strawberry growers association, fsga, Kenneth Parker, News, Punta Gorda, ted campbell, United States Department of Agriculture

Promoting New Crop of Florida Strawberries

October 9, 2014 by FSGA

Florida Strawberry Growers Association promoting new crop of fresh Florida strawberries December through March

We are the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, dominating the market of fresh strawberries during the winter months. Florida is the domestic producer for East Coast markets, competing with increased imports of Mexican strawberries during the same season. As the “local” supplier, our berries travel fewer miles, which translates to fresher, tastier berries for consumers.

Florida Fields PreppedWe are expanding the strawberry research acreage this year. The new field behind the FSGA offices will showcase new advances in the industry, and tours of the facility will feature a working strawberry field and visit with a strawberry farmer to learn first-hand what it takes to grow strawberries today verses how it was done years ago by past generations.

While costs to grow strawberries continue to rise for the farmer, the retail market is very resistant to rising prices. Fortunately, strawberries are a popular consumer indulgence with incredible health benefits and versatility of utilization.

Despite the economic downturn, strawberries have increased in both sales and tonnage at retail. Our farmers are increasing acreage to continue to supply our flavorful fruit during the winter months, and we are optimistic that the popularity of strawberries will continue to grow.

With the increase in acreage this year, and barring any weather disasters, Florida farmers predict they’ll have good supplies of the world’s best strawberries from Christmas through March.

The season is off to a great start. The farmers prepare the land in August and plant from late September through mid-October. Approximately 20,000 plants per acre are all planted by hand! Which means fresh Florida strawberries at Thanksgiving!

The industry will plant more than 12,000 acres of berries this season, which make us the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. Our industry is committed to providing customers with the safest, best quality and most delicious tasting berries on the market.

Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: California, Christmas, florida, florida strawberries, florida strawberry growers association, fsga, March, october, September, strawberry, United States

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • Next Page »

About Florida Winter Strawberries

In 1980, a few strawberry growers began meeting in their homes to discuss the best way to organize a group that would represent the interests of the Florida strawberry industry. On February 11, 1982, the Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA) was born. Hillsborough County is recognized as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World and the home of some of the sweetest, reddest and juiciest strawberries around.

Get Connected

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Florida Strawberry Growers Association
P.O. Box: 2550
Plant City, FL 33564
Telephone: 813-752-6822
Fax: 813-752-216

Recent Posts

  • 2018 Agritech Trade Show Agenda
  • 2016 Agritech Agenda
  • Florida Strawberries Cookbook

The Florida Strawberry Growers Association, a 501(c)5 non-profit organization located in Dover, Florida. · Parent company of the Florida Strawberry Patent Service and the Florida Strawberry Research and Education Foundation. · All Content Copyright ©2016. All rights reserved.