C&S Farms diversified their operation with the addition of strawberries, blackberries and other produce
DADEVILLE, MO. – Nine-year-old Henson Sayre says C & S Farms has the “bestest strawberries in the whole wide world. They’re so sweet you don’t even have to put sugar on them.”
Another successful strawberry season is in the books at C & S Farms. It began in April and ended in mid-June. They offer both you-pick and pre-picked orders.
The family-owned farm is known for its hospitality and delicious strawberries.
C & S Farms is owned and operated by Brad and JoAnna Carter, their daughter Erin and son-in-law Zeke Sayre, and is located in rural Dadeville Mo. The farm consists of 40-acres and an additional 65-rented acres across the road.
The family works hard and enjoys farm life. All of their talents go into growing delectable strawberries. They also offer delicious blackberries, shiitake mushrooms as big as your hand and a variety of produce and poultry items.
“This past year we’ve sold a lot of fresh green beans, tomatoes and sweet candy onions. We also sell pasture-raised chicken. You just can’t beat it,” Brad said.
Eighteen thousand strawberry plants were planted in mid-September. After transplantation, months and months of work begins. Brad and Erin prepare the beds and get everything ready. There is no shortage of calloused hands.
“This year, we planted Chandlers, Ruby Junes and a new variety for us called Fronteras. The Fronteras and Ruby Junes had to be planted a week earlier than the Chandlers. They’re all planted by hand,” JoAnna added.
The strawberry plants grow until December then go dormant and require covering.
April can be a very busy month of covering and uncovering the plants.
“When the strawberries bloom, it’s a lot of work. We’re always watching the weather. If it’s going to frost, we round up a bunch of people to cover the plants,” Brad explained.
Strawberries are a crop that needs regular watering.
“We have to irrigate about two hours a day and feed them just the right nutrients through the drip irrigation system. They also require a lot of nitrogen during the fruiting season,” Brad explained.
The grandkids, Henson (9), Harlow (7), Hazel (5) and Hughes (2) have grown up in the strawberry fields, picking, planting and helping around the farm.
“We have three generations of workers,” Zeke added.
Brad’s mother, 90-year-old Eileen Carter also resides on the farm.
Zeke came up with the idea to start a strawberry farm. The farm started in 2015. They knew some people in Stockton Mo., who grew strawberries so they decided it was something they could do.
They also raise registered Angus cattle, goats and sheep, but the arid conditions have taken their toll on the livestock.
“For the last two years the drought has taken most of our sweet corn as well,” JoAnna stated.
On the poultry side of the farm, the pasture-raised Cornish Cross chickens are ready in mid-November. The chicks take approximately eight weeks from brooder to transferred on the chicken tractor where they eat mixed grasses.
Brad is a part-time instrumental music teacher at the Dadeville R-2 School District. Zeke works at Aviagen, and Erin is a stay-at-home mom and cosmetologist. JoAnna is a retired reading specialist.
Two-year-old Hughes, the official taste tester for the farm, can be seen on the C & S Farms Facebook page teaching the perfect way to pick a strawberry.
They plan to keep expanding and to have a fall festival next year with a corn maze and live music.
