With the cool, wet spring we’ve had, it’s hard to believe June is already half over. In another week or two the strawberries will ripen, and I can’t wait to pick a flat or two at Bauer Berry Farm in Champlin.

As with most locally grown food, you could probably find cheaper prices at Costco or other big box stores. But something feels right about paying a little more money and spending a little more time to pick my strawberries straight from the field. They are definitely better quality than the jumbo, flavorless berries that look better than they taste. That’s just one of many reasons, though.

Another reason is personal. I owe a lot of gratitude to Bill and Nancy for giving me my first job back in the early 80s. I learned a good work ethic and the value of money working on their farm. Believe me, every penny counted at $1.68/hour, but then again, back then we didn’t have ridiculous expenses for high tech devices (you could get a cassette player for around $10) or cell phone bills. Unlike so many kids today, if I wanted those nonessential gadgets and gizmos, I had to pay for them myself.

In business since 1977, Bill and Nancy continued to employ a team of young people every summer, teaching them basic work skills. One year I watched Nancy patiently explain to a high school girl how to count money and make change. I distinctly remember learning that lesson in elementary school math, which makes me wonder if that girl wasn’t paying attention in class or if our education system has removed some of these basic real-world skills from the curriculum.

I feel good about investing in my community when I support local farmers like Bill and Nancy. But at the end of the day, the biggest draw is their delicious and wholesome strawberries. Some years yielded better crops than others, and that’s the nature of nature. I can’t tell you how many clean and fresh berries I ate straight from the plant, one of my favorite perks of the job.

Update: In the fall of 2019, Bill and Nancy announced their retirement. While I’m sure I’m not the only one who will miss seeing them every year and enjoying their wonderful produce, they certainly deserve to enjoy the fruits of their labors after successfully running their u-pick berry farm for more than four decades. Sending a great big thank you, and wishing them all the best!