We started growing strawberries in 1983 near the bottom of the farm crisis. Bad times. I remember being down at the local café (where all farmers go each day) being asked what I was planting. Told them strawberries. Got laughs and jeers from some, smirks and silence from others, but no encouragement. Ol-timer asked where you gonna sell 'em sonny? Told him people would come and buy them. More laughs. Stayed with it, learned what I could from others, adapted and made it work. Now, 22 years later, extension horticulturists ask me questions. Times have sure changed. One thing has never changed, probably never will, customers demand top quality and go where they get it.
