|
Hunter Farms, located approximately 5 miles north of Easley in the rolling foothills of Pickens County in upstate South Carolina, is a true "family" farm. Eric and Kristi first began the farming business back in 1997 as a part-time business venture - growing only about 1.5 acres of strawberries. Now, along with Eric and Kristi, their son Ryan has grown old enough to help out, although he is at the age where he still needs to be prodded a little! Also, like she has from the very beginning, Eric's mother (Pat Hunter) still runs the on-farm retail stand. Customers from all over have come to know and love Pat and miss her when she isn't there. We couldn't do this without her.
Over the years, the amount of strawberry acres has grown substantially, and we added a second farm just down the road from our home farm. We have our wholesale berry fields located there, which allows us to keep our home fields totally for retail customer use.
In 2000, we added greenhouses and began growing different types of bedding plants and hanging baskets. This venture went over well and has grown to become a favorite among customers.
Another branch of our business is the commercial production of strawberry plugs that are shipped to other strawberry growers throughout the country. We are the only commercial plug producer in South Carolina and one of only a handful in the eastern part of the United States. We understand why! Having other farmers trust you and put their future season in your hands is a stressful and big responsibility. Our "plug" customers have ranged from Georgia up to Delaware, and include Truett Cathy, the founder of the Chic Fil A restaurant chain along with his ranch called "The Rock". We have also grown the strawberry plants for the gardens at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC as well as Virginia State University and their research plots.
In the past, we have had a "Corn Maze", grown many different vegetables such as tomatoes, canataloupes, and watermelons, grown cut flowers for market, grown pumpkins, as well as other ventures...but we have made the decision to concentrate primarily on strawberries, strawberry plugs, and bedding/vegetable plants.
We have also established ourselves at various farmers markets. Hunter Farms can be found at the Greenville Downtown "Saturday Market", The South Carolina State Farmers Market in Greenville, and The North Carolina State Farmers Market in Asheville. You can also find us at several other smaller markets around the upstate of South Carolina.
You can also find us during strawberry season at several different roadside stand locations. Please check back here or contact us for our stand locations during the season.
We pride ourselves on the quality of product we grow and sell. Giving the customer the best service possible is important to us. We want you to come back again and again.
|
