Families flock to Clinton's Sunrise Farm during peak blueberry-picking season

Jasper Holmes, 2, made his way through a row of blueberry plants on Clinton’s Sunrise Farm, plucking berries to put into his Sesame Street-themed basket — though most of the berries went directly into his mouth instead.

Jasper’s mother, Karlee Holmes of Vandergrift, said they have been visiting the farm since she was pregnant with him.

“We started this as a family tradition,” she said. “We joke he’s liked these blueberries since he was in the womb.”

Holmes said she used to freeze blueberries for Jasper while he was teething. She also uses the blueberries to make fresh jam.

Jasper, for his part, helps out by plucking berries. Holmes helped him discern which ones were ready for picking, encouraging him to opt for the ripe blue berries over the green ones.

“He’s just starting to learn the colors,” she said. “Luckily, blue’s his favorite color, so that’s perfect.”

Holmes said she typically stops by the farm about once a week, often with family and friends in tow.

“We’re like a big army out here, picking berries and making jams,” she said.

The farm is a family affair, not only for those who come to pick berries with their kids but also for the owners. James Goldscheitter operates Sunrise Farm alongside his sister, Barb Cornetti, and his brother-in-law, Gary Bacca.

“We always work together and help each other out,” he said.

Goldscheitter said he and his siblings grew up on a dairy farm, working in agriculture their whole lives. When a relative opened a blueberry farm on Route 356, he became interested in launching something similar. His father purchased and planted the blueberry plants for him and his family.

“He passed away this year of covid, but it was like a gift to us kids,” Goldscheitter said.

They’ve had the berry plants for about 10 years, Goldscheitter said. They began selling them wholesale, before opening up for a pick-your-own option three or four years ago.

“It’s been a hit ever since,” he said.

Goldscheitter estimated 400 to 500 people go through their two-acre blueberry patch to pick berries during peak season, though he said many are repeat customers.

Peak blueberry season begins at the end of June and lasts until the end of July, depending on the weather.

Maintaining the plants is a challenging job, Goldscheitter said. The plants need to be pruned, and he has to weed around each plant. Plus, he has to keep birds and deer away.

But for Goldscheitter, it’s a labor of love.

“It’s just fun to be in nature,” he said, adding that the Pennsylvania climate — particularly in rainy years — is perfect for growing the plants.

Berry picking became increasingly popular since the onset of the covid-19 pandemic, Goldscheitter said.

“After covid, people want to be with their family, but they also want to be doing something other than sitting around at home,” he said. “This is the perfect thing. You’re moving around. You’re eating blueberries, which are super healthy. Blueberries are considered a superfood.”

Sunrise Farm operates mainly on the honor system. They have buckets available for people to use while picking — though Goldscheitter said he also encourages people to snack on berries as they go. Signs explain the process and pricing. Once people finish picking, they weigh their buckets and leave their payment at a stand near the entrance to the blueberry field. People also can purchase muffin mix, bottled water and other items at the stand.

Tanner Jones, who was picking berries with his 2-year-old daughter, Charlotte, said he’s a frequent customer.

“We definitely look forward to blueberry season,” he said. “Blueberries offer a good snack. They’re easy to freeze and make jams.”

His wife learned how to make homemade jam, and his daughter is still learning how to pick out the ripe berries.

“For Charlotte, she’s been coming since she could walk,” Jones said.

Blueberries on the same plant ripen at different times, he said, which means people can pick the same plant repeatedly throughout the season. Jones said he’s mastering how to pick berries more efficiently with two hands.

Missy Kimmell of Cabot and her mother, Dawn Stiokis, took Kimmell’s sons, Emmett, 4, and Nolan, 2, and nieces Violet Morrison, 2, and Nora Morrison, 1, blueberry picking for the first time Wednesday.

She said she was eager to get outside doing something active with the kids — and excited to enjoy the fresh-picked berries.

“It’s wonderful,” she said. “Being outside is the best thing for them.”