Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward MageeNews.com a small commission – at no extra cost to you.
JACKSON, Miss. – Today, the newly launched podcast series, Freshly Picked, released its second episode featuring the joys and challenges of managing u-pick farms. Dana Nowell from Twelve2 U-Pick Flower Farm, Shunda Garner of Geneva Springs Farm and Jenni Campbell from Taylor Flower Patch, LLC, were brought on as special guests to share their expertise on this topic.
Podcast Host and Editor of the Mississippi Market Bulletin Claude Nash held conversations with each guest, diving into the unique world of agritourism as it relates to specialty crops in Mississippi. Nowell with Twelve2 Farm in Canton and Campbell with Taylor Flower Patch, LLC, in Taylor shared personal stories of starting u-pick flower farms with their families and the impact it has had on both their community and significant others. Nowell noted that her farm not only offers offer an educational experience and beautiful bouquets for visitors to keep, but it also teaches work ethic and professional skills to her children, who help with the daily operations. Campbell shared her experience of finding renewed hope and purpose by establishing their flower patch during the Covid pandemic.
Garner of Geneva Springs Farm attributes her love of farming to her grandmother. She also shared her story of accepting the challenge of growing a certain pepper that supposedly could not be grown in the state of Mississippi. Years later, she grows approximately 100 varieties of peppers, as well as tomatoes and flowers, on her farm in Pickens. Today, Garner continues to use her passion to educate the public, particularly young people, on the importance of locally grown, healthy and fresh foods.
This episode, titled ‘U-Pick and Enjoy,’ also includes discussions on seasonal fluctuations, best farm practices and much more. Listen now by visiting www.msfreshlypicked.com.
The Freshly Picked podcast series, developed by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, will feature 24 episodes and include specialty crop farmers, experts, entrepreneurs and/or chefs as they tell the stories behind their farms, businesses and the unique products they offer. Listeners can find new episodes every Thursday through February 2025 at www.msfreshlypicked.com, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or other major platforms.
MageeNews.com is the online news source for Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the state of Mississippi.