Strawberry Fields Forever

The weather was perfect during our visit to Tanaka Farms, the premier organic strawberry farm in Orange County. Not too hot, not too cold, just right! The kids excitedly boarded the farm wagon as "Farmer Kenny," a fourth generation Japanese American and son of owner Mr. Tanaka, welcomed us with a big grin. He jumped onto his tractor and away we went.

Before we reached the prize strawberries, Farmer Kenny pulled over from time to time to show us various vegetables while espousing the health benefits of their antioxidants and phytonutrients. The kids were duly impressed, so much so that the boys were conned (er, I mean persuaded) into eating a raw onion! The girls politely declined. Jonathan's comment: "It was quite spicy!"

Farmer Kenny explained that their farm did not use commercial pesticides or fungicides. Instead, they used garlic oil and chili pepper oil to ward off pesky bugs. (Note to self: try these in my garden.) He then encouraged us to sample freshly picked carrots, green onions, romaine lettuce and ollalieberries. It was the first time any of us had tried ollalieberries, a cross between a blackberry and a loganberry. They were delightful!


You Wascally Wabbit!

We drove further along the farm and finally stopped at what appeared to be a sea of strawberry plants. Farmer Kenny handed out plastic containers to each of the eager kids and instructed us on how to properly pick strawberroes. With a knowing smile, he gave us his full approval to eat as many berries as we wanted. The kids charged out of the wagon like a bull headed for the red cape.

If there were any doubts as to whether boys and girls think differently, they would vanish upon observing strawberry picking techniques. The girls were detail oriented. They inspected the strawberries carefully and placed them gently into the containers. Occasionally, a strawberry would make its way into their mouths.


Julia finds a perfect strawberry.


A freshly picked strawberry tastes heavenly.

The boys were big picture visionaries. Seeing row upon row of gorgeous strawberries, only one thought came to mind: attack and conquer! They ate as many strawberries as they could gather, and bore their juice stained shirts like badges of honor. Occasionally, a strawberry would make its way into their take home containers.


Strawberry Kings.


I'd better make sure we take a few home.

Farmer Kenny gave us the signal that our time was up, and we happily piled back into the wagon for the bumpy ride back to the fruit stand. Counting all of our filled take-home containers, Daniel announced that we would be having strawberries for our afternoon snack.

Strawberry fields forever.

"There He makes the hungry dwell, that they may establish a city for a dwelling place, and sow fields and plant vineyards, that they may yield a fruitful harvest." Psalm 107:36-37