It's berry time! Pick your own at these Ozarks farms

It’s berry picking time in the Ozarks.

The blueberries are ripe and blackberries are turning colors, so it’s a good time to visit a U-pick farm — the area is peppered with them. If you’re looking for a family fun activity, gather the kiddos and visit one of these ag-based businesses. For most of these operations, the hours listed are weather permitting. It’s always a good idea to call ahead, especially if it’s a long drive. Here are a few options:

Hummingbird Berry Farm, 5581 S. 140th Road, Brighton, opened last year with 2.5 acres of blackberries.

“We are loving it,” says owner Sharon Walker. “It is so much fun having people come out. We want to make it a destination for people. We have a building with a kitchen in it so we will be doing some classes on how to make blackberry jams, jellies, syrups. We have a pavilion we just finished. We want to do some classes on plant care, bees.”

The farm is open from 7 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. U-pick blackberries are $4.30 per pound. Pre-picked berries are $5.30 per pound.

“We should be open until the beginning of August and maybe a few weeks into August. We have a lot of berries and don’t have the issue of getting picked out as often,” she says.

Information: 417-848-0570 or online, http://hummingbirdberryfarm.com

Sunshine Valley Farm, 8011 E. Missouri AD, Rogersville, has U-pick blueberries and blackberries; the blueberries are ripe and blackberries should be ready this week. Open 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Must be 13 or older to pick blackberries, but blueberries are open to everyone. Price for U-pick blueberries is $3.75 a pound; blackberries are $4.55 per pound. Cash or check only. Call 417-753-2698 or online: http://www.sunshinevalleyfarm.com/

Burtons Farm Blueberries, 445 Silver Lake Road, Billings. It’s the family’s fourth season in the U-pick industry. The cost is $3.50 per pound for U-pick berries. Save room for frozen blueberry lemonade, fried pies and blueberry muffins. Open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday. Closed Sunday. If you have trouble finding it, there are directions on Facebook. Call ahead or check Facebook to make sure they are open for picking: 417-294-9062. https://www.facebook.com/BurtonsFarmBlueberries/

Black and Blue Berry Farm, 5313 S. Farm Road 241, Rogersville, has U-pick blueberries and lavender. Cody Whittington’s parents own the business, and he says the blueberries and lavender pair well together. The family sells delicious homemade blueberry cinnamon rolls, lavender lemonade and blueberry lemonade made with fresh squeezed lemons; or try the extremely popular homemade blueberry ice cream.

Blueberries: $3.75 per pound for U-pick or  $6.50 pound for pre-picked. Lavender is $6 a bundle, which has 100-150 stems. Facebook is the best way to stay posted on picking availability, he says. You can also call 417-396-8333. The farm is open when picking isn’t available. He expects berries on the vine just past July 4. For more information:  www.blackandblueberryfarm.info.

Buckner's Blueberries,1914 W. Big Bend Road, Nixa, opened last year and has U-pick blueberries and blackberries. It is generally open 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily, but it's best to call ahead because they have to close at times. Call 417-818-9836.

“Come early in the morning before the heat of the day,” says Donna Buckner, who owns the business with her husband.

The season just opened and lasts about six weeks. U-pick prices are $3 a pound for either berry.

Crafty Farms, 30558 Highway 60, Pierce City. This is the third season for Crafty Farms, which expects to have blueberries at least through the end of the month and blackberries into early July. Open 8 a.m. to noon and 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays are by appointment. Call ahead, 417-669-7792, to be sure picking is available. Blueberries and blackberries: $2.75 per pound for U-pick or $5 per pound for pre-picked. https://www.facebook.com/craftyfarmsupick

Persimmon Hill Berry Farm, 367 Persimmon Hill Lane, Lampe, is a popular picking spot. They started the business in 1982 and plant 13 varieties of blueberries, which continue to ripen through July. The farm has a restaurant which serves up delectable Thunder Muffins, a moist blueberry muffin packed with fresh blueberries and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar; and an amazing giant blueberry cinnamon roll. Jams, shiitake mushrooms, berry syrups and more are for sale.

Here’s a tip: head the restaurant as soon as you get to the farm if you plan to eat. Sometimes there’s a wait for muffins, so you can order and go pick your berries and come back and eat. If you plan to place a large to-go order, definitely get it in before you pick.

Both berries are  $3.75 a pound for U-pick or $4.90 for pre-picked. During berry season, the farm is open from  7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Check Facebook for picking updates: www.facebook.com/persimmonhillfarm

Miller’s Berry Farm, 11425 Missouri KK, Marshfield, has had strawberries for nine years but started offering U-pick blackberries two years ago. Strawberry season is over, but blackberries are on the vine.

“They should call for availability or check Facebook because it’s not a pick everyday type of thing. We open at 8 a.m. but we open as we have berries available. If we are picked out, we have to let them ripen,” says Connie Miller, owner.

Berries should be available until the end of July. Blackberries are $15 per gallon for U-pick or $20 for pre-picked. Call 417-860-3380 or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/millerberryfarm

Three Oaks Farm, 10861 County Road 7070 in West Plains, is a U-pick blackberry farm. Open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Closed Sunday. Come in the morning and pick. The property is mowed, manicured and handicapped accessible. There are 20 rows of blackberries, 150 feet long. Follow the signs from the road. Price: $3 a pound; $4 for prepicked. Blackberry honey is available for sale. https://www.facebook.com/THREE-OAKS-FARM-LLC-1580782028879852/