Fruits of a family’s labor: Local residents offer strawberries for sale

NEW MADRID, Mo. - The pickings are sweet at new business venture in New Madrid County.

Eddy Strawberries is a true family business operated by Elizabeth and Daniel Eddy and their children, Adeline, 7, John Davis, 4, and Hollis, 2. Although Elizabeth Eddy laughs and points out, Hollis is their taste-tester, preferring to pop any strawberry he picks into his mouth.

A third-generation farmer, Daniel Eddy said he decided to add strawberries to their farm as a way to diversify the operation. And it is a way to involve their children.

A box of Eddy Strawberries arrives just picked from the field. Strawberries, like blueberries, are considered a super fruit, packed with natural sugars. Because the berries have ripened on the vine, they will be red all the way through, Daniel Eddy said.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

A box of Eddy Strawberries arrives just picked from the field. Strawberries, like blueberries, are considered a super fruit, packed with natural sugars. Because the berries have ripened on the vine, they will be red all the way through, Daniel Eddy said.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

“With a row crop operation, these kids are not really old enough to be able to help because of the bigger machinery and things. But this is a lot more hands-on sort of thing that they can do and be involved in,” he said looking out over their strawberry field. “It is a good learning experience for them. It is kind of a family adventure I guess you would say.”

The adventure began last fall. In September Eddy began preparing the land, discing and tilling it then creating the bed rows. They laid black plastic, which Eddy called plastic mulch, over the rows then brought in a special machine to poke holes through the plastic every 12 to 14 inches for the strawberry plants.

In October, the Eddys planted 7,750 strawberry plants.

John Davis Eddy stands next to the rows of flats, each containing eight quarts, which will be filled with strawberries from the family's strawberry field.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

John Davis Eddy stands next to the rows of flats, each containing eight quarts, which will be filled with strawberries from the family's strawberry field.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

“We planted by hand,” said Elizabeth Eddy. “Adeline was out here with me whenever she wasn’t in school and John Davis was out here every day. He planted a lot by hand.”

Over the winter, they kept a close eye on their new crop. Temporary fencing was added to keep out the deer and when the temperatures dipped below 20 degrees, the plants were covered for protection.

Even with the arrival of spring, they continued to watch the temperature. The new blooms had to be protected when temperatures dropped to 32 or below.

Elizabeth Eddy shows the strawberry flower which will form the fruit. She explained a bee must touch the flower many times to encourage the fruit to perfectly form.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

Elizabeth Eddy shows the strawberry flower which will form the fruit. She explained a bee must touch the flower many times to encourage the fruit to perfectly form.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

“We had to cover and uncover them several times,” Eddy acknowledged. “But now here we are. We are just now starting to produce berries.”

The field has three varieties of strawberries. There are Sweet Charlie and Chandler, which are already bearing fruit. A third variety called Malwina should begin producing in mid to late May. Ideally each plant will produce about a pound of strawberries.

The Eddys are using Facebook to market their strawberries.

Adeline, John Davis and Daniel Eddy gather strawberries from their field. The Eddys are selling their locally grown produce on their Facebook page Eddy Straweberries.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

Adeline, John Davis and Daniel Eddy gather strawberries from their field. The Eddys are selling their locally grown produce on their Facebook page Eddy Straweberries.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

“We are selling them directly to customers,” he explained. “Every time we pick, we post what we have available for sale then people put in orders or tell us what they want. We have people come by our house and pick them up and pay for them.”

A quart container is $4.50. A flat, which holds eight quarts, sells for $32.

So far after each picking, the Eddys said they have sold out in one to two hours.

At 2, Hollis Eddy prefers eating all the strawberries he picks.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

At 2, Hollis Eddy prefers eating all the strawberries he picks.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

Elizabeth Eddy said in their farm operation they never know what people might think of their crops but with selling their strawberries locally, they can hear from their customers.

“It is very rewarding to hear them say they like the strawberries and they are good,” she said.

Eddy recalls one customer, who called just minutes after picking up some strawberries to tell him how good the berries were. “He hadn’t even made it home with them,” Eddy said with a laugh. “People are very happy to find fresh, local strawberries.”

Eddy said they are still learning about the strawberries and the business. He credits others in the business with helping them as they began their venture.

“Hopefully in the future if we decide it is a successful endeavor we will try to expand,” he said.

Walking down the rows together, it is obvious Adeline, John Davis and Hollis consider the family strawberry business a success. Combing through the strawberry plants’ leaves, they each picked a large red strawberry to eat.

Adeline explained it isn’t really work. “it is fun to pick them,” she said in between bites. “And it is a lot of fun to eat them.”