One of my favorite memories growing up was a summertime visit to the blueberry farm to pick fresh blueberries. It's something that has stuck with me into my adult life, and it's an experience I want my children to take with them, too! And while the blueberries on on their way over at O5 Farms (you'll hear about them this summer!), it is STRAWBERRY TIME at Merk Farms! Which is just as priceless (and delicious!) of a memory.

Merk Farms is a locally owned & operated, generations-old farm located near Dry Pond Road in Commerce (but really Jefferson). They are the SWEETEST family of farmers, just as precious as they come, and their passion for farming shines through.

NOW is the time for U-Pick strawberries! And their fields are FULL of the most delicious looking & smelling strawberries you can imagine! I took a weekday trip to collect strawberries for my Easter strawberry shortcake, and those berries did not disappoint! Big, beautiful, sweet berries prime for picking.

On the weekends, they also offer hayrides and ICE CREAM (I'll be back for that!) and other activities. And they're hosting a Berry Sweet Festival May 10th & 11th!

And take a peek below to see my write-up of their fall maze, another family-favorite memory for our family!

Seriously- you won't regret the experience or the delicious berries of farm-fresh strawberry picking.

Address: 233 Mitchell Road, Commerce
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MerkFarmsGa

 

And here is my last write-up from their Farm Maze in the fall!

Fall is *finally* in the air, so now is the time to break out all of the fall fun activities! For the very first time, Merk Farms in Commerce (the southern end, closer to Jefferson in the Dry Pond area) has created a Farm Maze! Same idea as a corn maze, but you're walking through a variety of tall plants.

I brought the kiddos on a Saturday at lunch (with plenty of time to get to the TV to watch the UGA game after!) and had a blast! Truthfully, I've never done a corn maze, so I don't have anything to compare it to. But here are some of the things I loved: 1) We had a map- no real way to get lost! They also had number signs so you could orient yourself. 2) In addition to the fun of wandering the maze, they also had 2 other activities my kids loved: A scavenger hunt (find the Sasquatch hidden through the maze that the kiddos could redeem for a treat) and a stamp card (stamp stations hidden through the maze; a full card is entered into a raffle), and 3) A hayride as the perfect end to the fall fun!

Also of note: They have 3 different options for the maze: 1) A track around the outside {perfect if you have littles who want the experience but you don't want to have to work too hard to make it out}, 2) A "kiddy" maze {a couple little loops right at the beginning}, and 3) The full maze. They also offer the maze on Saturday evenings in the dark for flashlight maze time, and they will also be hosting theme nights this season!

I also loved that this is a locally-owned, family farm. You can tell the love and blood/sweat/tears they have poured into this attraction.

Also available were a limited supply of beautiful pumpkins (including Orange Bulldog pumpkins whose seeds are only available from UGA- apparently they are more disease-resistant that conventional pumpkins!) You can also take a peek at the strawberry fields being prepped (YAY for U-Pick strawberries in the spring!!) and see the remnants of the beautiful sunflowers from last month.

We truly had a great time! I would not recommend visiting if you have mobility concerns (it's tended farmland, so it's not going to be smooth! Some bumps and small hills) or serious environmental allergies (you're in the middle of plants!). But otherwise, at $10 per person (kids 3 and under free), this is the PERFECT fun, family fall event!

Merk Farms
Address: 233 Mitchell Road, Commerce
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MerkFarmsGa
Hours: Friday 5PM-10PM, Saturday 10AM-10PM, Sunday 12PM-6PM