When Kathy and Ed Bures planted their first acre of strawberries in 2002, they didn’t picture how much their farm would grow and change over the course of two decades. What began as a small field slowly turned into a place where families gather, kids learn and thousands find fresh food grown with care.
How did Bures Berry Patch begin?
Located near Barneveld, Bures Berry Patch began with humble beginnings in 2002. Starting with U-pick strawberries, they progressively added fresh produce that met the needs of their customers.
“We started with strawberries, then pumpkins and asparagus right off the bat,” said Ed. “As I cut back a little bit on my university job, we added more summer vegetables and eventually egg-laying chickens.”
The Bures continued to diversify their business one step at a time, one season at a time. Eventually, they added potatoes, beans, corn, sunflowers, rhubarb and raspberries. The strawberry patch grew from one acre to four, and the pumpkin patch blossomed into a fall tradition for countless families.
The Bures never planned a grand expansion; they simply grew into what the community craved.
Where can I find Bures Berry Patch produce?
Beyond their farmstand, the Bures sell fresh produce at three different farmers markets: Mineral Point, Mount Horeb and the Dane County Farmers Market on Capitol Square. Each market has played a role in shaping their farm’s future.
Their farmers market involvement first started with Mineral Point.
“They like to shop local,” Kathy said. “It’s a great community and we’ve been there close to 20 years now.”
Next, they took on Mount Horeb, a market that took time to grow but once it moved to Main Street, Kathy noted a shift to welcoming more young families, activity and connections.
The biggest undertaking was the Dane County Farmers Market, which is arguably the busiest market in the state and the largest producer-only market in the country.
“There are close to 20,000 people there on a Saturday,” Kathy said.
While large in scale, Kathy notes she has a series of repeat customers who return for fresh produce. These customers have a deep appreciation for the farmers growing their food.
How does weather impact fresh produce?
Weather is both a farmer’s business partner and their biggest challenge throughout the season.
“With a u-pick crop like strawberries, there’s no storing them,” Ed noted. “When they are ripe, they need to be picked.”
There are a number of weather patterns that can have an impact on their strawberry season. Rain drives people away and high heat can slow down picking. Additionally, frost can have an impact on blossoms.
Bures Berry Patch uses an irrigation system to not only water the plants but protect them in the event of a cold snap.
Pest control requires the same level of thought and care. Strawberries and raspberries bring the most pressure and require close monitoring. The Bures use sprays only when needed and lean on other methods like reflective ground film to help break insect cycles.
What some may consider pests, however, are actually friends of the plants. Every spring, the Bures work with a local beekeeper to bring in 20 to 30 beehives.
“The bees pollinate all of our crops,” Kathy said. “They like it here because there is always water in the valley.”
What is there to do at Bures Berry Patch?
The fields at Bures Berry Patch are a constant stream of activity all year long. The Bures begin by planting in the spring through early June.
You can find them at farmers markets starting in May through mid-November. Their growing season starts with harvesting asparagus, then strawberries, and is followed by green beans, corn, potatoes, raspberries and, last but not least, pumpkins.
They weed throughout the summer and continue picking produce until frost hits.
“I’m ready to be done by then,” said Kathy in regard to the final weeks. “Sometimes I’ve got my snowmobile suit on!”
Fall also brings a steady stream of field trip groups. Each year, 400 to 500 kindergarten students visit the pumpkin patch to enjoy hayrides, pick pumpkins, feed chickens and ask plenty of questions.
How the Bures family fosters community
There is no question that Ed and Kathy are passionate about what they do and have a love for growing food at their core.
Kathy feels drawn to the connections and relationships she has built over the years.
“I really enjoy being able to provide our community with this food,” she said. “I get to see the direct impact of feeding people. It’s comforting and rewarding.”
When asked what he wishes people understood about their farm, Ed notes the value behind what they offer.
“This is high intensity farming,” he said. “Having fresh food is awesome. You waste less, it tastes better and I enjoy having an environment for kids to grow up in where they are learning responsibility.”
The Bures recognize the value small farms like theirs have for Wisconsin’s rural identity. From supporting local youth to feeding growing families, they know the work they are doing is serving a higher purpose.
“If we want to keep communities strong, we need people to continue supporting farms like ours,” Ed said.
Bures Berry Patch is a testament to the impact a small farm can have in shaping a community. Ed and Kathy are growing more than fresh food; they are growing memories and connections that extend far beyond their fields.