For years, the delightful promise of fresh-picked strawberries at Simpsons Family Farm lingered in my mind, a must-do as the season waned. Nestled near Mountain Grove, Missouri, this local U-Pick treasure had caught my attention through the pages of “Rural Missouri,” a publication I eagerly anticipate.
Sign for Simpsons Family Farm
Each year, a familiar Facebook notification would signal the season’s end at the farm, prompting the same thought: “Next year, I’ll be sure to visit.” This year, I finally made it, and it was even better than imagined. I also had the pleasure of sitting down with Wayne Simpson, the heart and soul behind Simpsons Family Farm, to learn about their “berry good” life.
The Simpsons Family Farm Legacy
Ask anyone in the Mountain Grove vicinity about the best spot for strawberry picking, and “Simpsons Family Farm” will undoubtedly be the resounding answer. Wayne Simpson, alongside his wife Lavond, and their children David and Debbie, cultivated grapes for nearly a decade before embarking on their strawberry journey in 1980.
Simpsons Family Farm in Mountain Grove: A Berry Good Life
Simpsons Family Farm holds a notable place in Missouri’s agricultural history. According to Local Harvest, they were pioneers in adopting the plasticulture method for commercial strawberry production, transitioning from the traditional matted row system. The shift to plasticulture, as highlighted in “Rural Missouri,” proved to be a game-changer. Customers developed such a fondness for the Chandler strawberries grown using this method that they showed less interest in picking from the remaining matted rows. My own experience confirmed the superior quality – the strawberries I picked were bursting with intense flavor, regardless of their size.
Simpsons strawberries
My visit to pick berries wasn’t just a one-time affair; I returned twice this season, both at the beginning and towards the end. On my later visit, Mr. Simpson generously shared his time for a chat. Today, he and his daughter Debbie manage the farm, with invaluable support from her husband, Morgan, and a long-time family friend. What followed was an engaging conversation with the affable Wayne Simpson, filled with stories and insights into the world of Simpsons Family Farm.
From Grapes to Strawberries: Answering the Call of the Berries
You moved to this area in the ‘50s and initially focused on grapes. What sparked the transition to strawberries?
“Well, maybe it was a lack of good sense to do anything else!” Wayne Simpson chuckled. “No, truthfully, I became quite interested in growing strawberries. We started with just a quarter of an acre to test the waters. It really took off and did well, so we expanded from there. But yes, grapes came first. Back in 1970, there was a real push to encourage grape growing around here. They made it sound like planting three acres of grapes was your ticket to retirement, almost a ‘get-rich-quick’ scheme. But I’m not complaining; grapes have been good to me.”
strawberry sign simpsons family farm
Mr. Simpson’s long-standing relationship with Stone Hill Winery is a testament to his dedication to quality agriculture. “I’ve been associated with Stone Hill Winery since my very first grape harvest, selling to them for over 50 years. Just recently, they celebrated their 175th anniversary, and they invited me to be part of it. I visit a couple of times a year, and they truly feel like family. I remember a time a few years back, under their pavilion. There’s a particular table I always sit at. One day, I went to sit there, and there was a ‘Reserved for family’ sign. So, I moved to the next table. The owner came in and asked, ‘What are you doing over here?’ I explained about the sign. He said, ‘No, that table is reserved for family, and you are family! Get back over there and sit down!'” The recent invitation to their anniversary celebration further solidified this bond. “He called me the other day, insisting, ‘I really want you to be here on Saturday, if you can make it.'”
Wayne Simpson in front of cabin
Wayne Simpson, pictured here in front of a cabin he painstakingly relocated with his family, hinted at another captivating story. “You can step inside and step back in time immediately, among family treasures of the Simpsons,” he shared, promising to recount the cabin’s history on my next visit.
A Partnership Rooted in Trust: Stone Hill Winery
How did your relationship with Stone Hill Winery begin?
“We had the Ozark Grape Growers Association; I served as secretary and treasurer,” Mr. Simpson recalled. “I believe it was when Jim Held was reopening Stone Hill Winery. He came down and said, ‘Now boys… you don’t know me. I’m honest. I don’t have much money right now, but if you sell me a truckload of grapes, I can pay you a third upfront, another third in a couple of months, and the final third at the end of the year.’ We held a meeting and decided to give him a chance. We said, ‘We’ll trust you.’ And he kept his word, exactly as he promised. He’s been buying grapes from us ever since.” This handshake agreement marked the beginning of a lasting and fruitful partnership.
Picking at Simpsons Family Strawberry Farm
Strawberry Fields Forever (Almost) at Simpsons Family Farm
Let’s talk strawberries! How many acres are dedicated to strawberries at Simpsons Family Farm today?
“Just two acres currently,” Mr. Simpson replied. Quality over quantity is clearly a guiding principle at Simpsons Family Farm.
inside shed at Simpsons Family Farm
Strawberry farming isn’t a year-round endeavor, is it? What’s the process like after the picking season ends?
“Preparation for next year’s field starts almost immediately,” Mr. Simpson explained, detailing the meticulous process. “As soon as the last berry is picked, we get in there to mow down the plants and spray to control old plants and weeds. Then, we use a machine to remove all the plastic. After that, we plow everything, create new beds, and lay down fresh plastic. We’ve got a new planting machine that punches holes at precise intervals for two rows. It even has four seats on it.”
“This year, we’ll plant 20,000 plants. We used to grow all our own plants from tips out of Nova Scotia. Then, suppliers started shipping plants from Nova Scotia, which saved me the task of propagating and growing them myself. We receive the plants in mid-to-late September. With the beds prepared, we plant them. We plant rye grass in the middles, which grows up. We mow the tops of the rye grass, and in early spring, when it grows tall again, we spray it to kill it, creating a mulch. I also like to use a cover crop like sorghum, let it grow, and then plow it under to decompose. In the fall, we prepare new beds with fresh plastic.” This detailed explanation reveals the year-long cycle behind the delicious strawberries at Simpsons Family Farm.
Debbie and Wayne Simpson
Family and Dedication: The Heart of Simpsons Farm
Is finding reliable help a challenge?
“Finding help is incredibly difficult,” Mr. Simpson admitted, highlighting the shift in farm labor. “It began as a true family operation – me, my wife, my son, and my daughter.” This family-centric approach remains at the core of Simpsons Family Farm.
holding a box of strawberries
Approximately how many pounds of strawberries do you sell annually?
“In a good year, we sell around five or six tons, something in that range,” Mr. Simpson estimated, drawing a parallel to his grape yields. “For grapes, I’m planning for 70 tons and hoping for 80 tons!”
strawberry rows plasticulture
For the freshest, locally grown strawberries and a taste of genuine Missouri farm life, be sure to visit Simpsons Family Farm. Stay updated on their seasons and offerings by following Simpsons Family Farm on Facebook. The farm is located north of Mountain Grove, Missouri, at 8748 Simpson Road. Experience the “berry good life” for yourself at Simpsons Family Farm!
