Spring Farms in Granville County
As Spring begins to emerge and Covid conditions continue to subside, it is time to head outdoors and enjoy the Carolina weather. As happens every April, the initial cry is…. "Strawberries (and more!)" – for Spring is also the beginning of the North Carolina strawberry season. The great news is Granville County and its farms are geared up and ready to go.
Three farms in Granville County take the lead in delivering fruit and produce. They are Lyon Farms in Creedmoor, Christmas Place Strawberry Farm in Bullock, and Dixon & Sons Farms located in Oxford.
Opening May 1st, Lyon Farms offers five acres of strawberries for customers to pick from. "Due to the size of our fields, customers will be pretty well spread out," says Troy Howard, General Manager of the farm. "Social distancing won’t be an issue, and it’s all outdoors as well." The farm does ask that customers wear masks when entering the area and when checking out their purchase.
Strawberries will of course be king during April and May. Lyon Farms will offer pre-picked packs in addition to "you-picks." The farm will also carry other traditional produce such as collards, cabbage, and peppers, and will include other "you-pick" items as they come into season including blueberries and blackberries in May/June and peaches in July.
If you can’t make it out to the farm, Lyons also sets up farm stands throughout the area (usually on Saturday’s when in season) including stands in Oxford, Carrboro, Durham, and Raleigh (along Highway 50).
Lyons Farm is located at 1544 Munns Road, Creedmoor, NC. For more information visit their website at:www.facebook.com/Lyon-Farms-310994802298291
The Christmas Place Strawberry Farm is a dedicated strawberry farm with 3 acres of crops. The farm offers multiple ways to purchase their amazing strawberries. They offer both "pre-pack" boxes as well as "you-pick" strawberries. "The crop is looking good", says Tammy Williamson owner of Christmas Place. "We’ll offer Sweet Charlies, Chandlers, and Ruby Junes, as they become ripe."
The farm offers three acres of fields for picking. Hand sanitizers and hand washing stations will be in-place. Employees will be socially distancing and wearing masks as needed. "We have such a large field, so customers will often have their own space and area," says Tammy.
Christmas Place Strawberry Farm is located at Harry Davis Road, Bullock, NC (919) 693-4496
www.facebook.com/Christmas-Place-Strawberry-Farm-110450242320610
Dixon & Sons Farms in Oxford is a commercial farm that also offers consumer sales. They have 3 acres of strawberries for picking, and also offer pre-packed strawberries for sale beginning in May. Additionally, they sell eggs and other produce as available including peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes. They also serve most local farmers markets. Dixon & Sons Farms is located at 4133A Hwy 15 in South Oxford, and can be found at www.facebook.com/dixonandsons or call (919) 691-1367.
If you are not able to get out to one of the farms, then Granville County also offers two comprehensive farmers markets. The Creedmoor Farmers Market is scheduled to open on Saturday, April 17th and is located at 608 North Main Street in Creedmoor (next to the Good Samaritan Store). Early season hours are from 9-1 on Saturday. Wednesday afternoon hours will be added later. Deborah Brogden, who helps manage the market, says that beyond the usual farm product, the market also includes baked goods, flowers, and plants. For more information visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Creedmoor-Farmers-Market-124069654663247/
A second community of farmers is located in Oxford. Opening in early May (including its traditional Mother’s Day market), the Oxford market is located at the corner of McClanahan and Lanier Streets and is open from 7:00 am to noon. Certainly known for its fresh produce, the Oxford market is one of the more robust markets in the area. "In addition to a complete array of produce we also regularly offer flowers, plants, jams, jellies, and pickles, says Janis Daniels, Oxford Farmers Market President. "But even beyond that, we also have baked goods and crafts. Information on the market can be found at their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/OxfordMarket
Granville County is a proud partner of the agricultural business in North Carolina. From farms to markets, strawberries to peppers, we provide the opportunity for consumers to purchase fresh produce, support local farmers, and continue to seek locations that are Uniquely Carolina. For more information on farms and farmers markets in Granville County you can visit the tourism website at: www.visitgranvillenc.com and to learn more about opportunities to support the agricultural businesses in Granville and North Carolina, you can download the Visit NC Farm app on your phone and visit www.visitncfarmstoday.com