Suggestions for Sustainable and/or Organic U-Pick Farms

Any and all recommendations are welcome!

More specifically, we're looking for fall u-pick farms that use sustainable growing practices and/or are certified organic and are at least a few hours drive from the city. Happy to make it an overnight trip and looking to enjoy the fall foliage with a quiet pick-your-own experience (as few entertainment extras as possible).

Looked at past posts on u-picks and the awesome map created by Mhays but was hoping for recent suggestions.

Will post with details on wherever we end up.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Hi I don't post here as often as I used to, but I just saw this post. I grew up on a fruit farm in SW Michigan, and my sister and her husband currently own the farm now. My sister has a fruit stand right off the Coloma exit 39 of I-94, and she also has upick apples until October 30. She is not certified organic, but she uses IPM on her farm. It is just really hard in Michigan to grown 100% fruit. Blueberries are easier to grow organic, as I believe raspberries are too. Peaches and cherries are almost possible to grow organic here, because it is too humid. With apples, some years you get fantastic looking organic apples, and some years you don't. I personally know of one certified organic grower in Michigan, but he has a small operation, and I am not sure if he has upick. The farm is named Earth First, and they sell at some of the farmer's markets in the Chicago area. Their farm is located I believe in Berrien Center, which is right next to Berrien Springs where Andrews University is located.

My sister's upick is located down the road from her fruit stand, and you can get directions to it by stopping at her fruit stand. Her upick is only open on Saturday and Sunday until October 30. Several people here have visited her fruit stand and upick, and have said positive things bout it. Here is the link to her website, if you want further information.

http://fruitacresfarms.com/

Hope this helps, Nancy

This is just what I was looking for! Thank you for the perfect suggestion.
Now just have to try to make it before October 30th.

Hi- There are also two wineries at the Coloma exit, and a fudge shop, as well as the Chocolate Gardens, which has wonderful home made chocolate truffles. The truffles are to die for, but they are not cheap. Chocolate Gardens is about one mile South of the Coloma exit. It used to be part of our farm, but my sister sold the house where Chocolate Gardens is located about 10 years ago.

My sister also has wonderful handpressed cider for sale at her fruit stand. As far as places to stay around there, there are lots of motels at the Pipestone Road exit of I-94, which is at exit 31 where the mall is. There is also a chain hotel at the Watervliet exit, which is exit 41. I believe this is a Ramada, but I am not sure. I know they have a indoor waterpark there. Do not stay at Will O' Paw Inn on the other side of Coloma. Some relatives of my BIL stayed there for a few days a few years ago, and they said the mattresses were awful. Hope this helps, Nancy

NFriday wrote:Hi- There are also two wineries at the Coloma exit, and a fudge shop, as well as the Chocolate Gardens, which has wonderful home made chocolate truffles. The truffles are to die for, but they are not cheap. Chocolate Gardens is about one mile South of the Coloma exit. It used to be part of our farm, but my sister sold the house where Chocolate Gardens is located about 10 years ago.

I don't know anything about the farm mentioned, but the truffles at The Chocolate Garden are some of the best I've ever eaten anywhere for any price.