Occupation: Owner – The Berry Farm & Orchard; Owner – Honey Hollow Apiaries; Orchard & Specialty Crop Representative – Timac Agro
What drew you to your current neighborhood?
I heard that agriculture is the number one industry in Berks County.
What’s your favorite thing about living in Greater Reading?
Greater Reading is the best of both worlds. There is the city but then it becomes very rural with lots of farms.
One of the most interesting things about conducting business in Berks County is the different array of people and cultures. People come to my farm and buy strawberries, but the way in which they use them is different according to their culture. Some of the old Pennsylvania Dutch traditions is to make jam or strawberry rhubarb pie. There is a lot of Latino-based cultures who make sauces and combine them with spicier ingredients. I love hearing the different ideas and recipes on how customers are using my strawberries.
Describe your neighborhood in five words.
Combination of city and farm.
Share a hidden gem of Greater Reading.
The orchards! Reading/Berks County is full of orchard history. Ontelaunee Orchards dates back to the 1800’s. Frecon Orchards, Keim Orchards, Shanesville Orchards, Beekman Orchards and Stony Run Orchards have all been around for many years. Some are not around anymore but others are still carrying out tradition.
