Get In the Summer Spirit With Berry Picking at Mortimer Farms in Arizona

There's nothing quite like picking berries straight from the vine to welcome in the summer months. Picking these sweet, colorful fruits is a labor of love, a time-consuming activity that can make us slow down and live in the present. While there aren't too many places to pick your own berries in Arizona, one place close to Prescott offers it in the summer. Known for its epic attractions, activities, and animal encounters that people from all over Arizona come to enjoy, Mortimer Farms in Dewey also offers pick-your-own experiences. This July, visit Mortimer Farms to pick blackberries during its annual Blackberry Festival.

With its focus on agricultural education, preserving our natural resources, and "connecting your family to your food," Mortimer Farms offers a calendar of events throughout the year, including a Blackberry Festival. During blackberry season, you are invited to visit the farm to learn about the pollinators and farmers' roles in growing these dark purple berries.

This year's Blackberry Festival at Mortimer Farms will be held on two separate weekends: July 12-13 and July 19-20. Tickets should be purchased at least 24 hours in advance to guarantee admission, and no tickets will be sold at the gate. The price for ages three and older is $16, while children ages two and under are admitted for free. Dogs are not allowed, so leave them at home.

Seeing blackberries on the vine certainly shows us where they come from. So often we purchase our produce at a grocery store, never realizing what goes into growing everything. At Mortimer Farms, you'll learn about the processes of growing fruit and vegetables while having the opportunity to pick whatever is in season.

During the Blackberry Festival, as visitors to the farm, you can pick blackberries straight off the vine. You'll learn to inspect them for ripeness before picking, and you can take whatever you pick home after paying by the pound.

In addition to picking your own fruit, families can enjoy a day of fun-filled activities, games, and rides through the farm with the price of admission. Mortimer Farms is open year-round but is especially exciting during one of its 26 annual events and festivals. If you don't feel like picking your own, you can stop by the farm's on-site market to purchase an array of farm-fresh produce. There's nothing quite like fruit and vegetables straight from a farm, right?

Have you been to Mortimer Farms in Dewey to pick your own blackberries or any other in-season fruit or vegetables in past years? For a calendar of events and to purchase tickets for the Blackberry Festival, head to the Mortimer Farms website, and follow the farm's Facebook page for event and pick-your-own updates.

After you visit Mortimer Farms, continue west for 16 miles to explore the historic town of Prescott, Arizona, one of my favorite day-trip destinations in the state.