Bargara Berries will celebrate 21 years of growing strawberries in Bundaberg with a family fun day at their Meadowvale farm on 15 July from 9 am to noon.
Renowned for both their farming and friendliness, Michael and Debbie Meiers are the familiar faces behind Bargara Berries which all began when Michael bought a block of land on Windemere Road in 2003.
“Michael wanted to grow nice eating, sweet strawberries for the local region,” Debbie said.
“[He] started selling them straight from the farm shed [and] generated a name for himself as the grower of some of the best strawberries in Bundaberg.”
Bargara Berries now welcome visitors to pick their own berries at their Meadowvale Farm in the later part of the season or to buy local fresh produce and handcrafted jams, sauces and gelato from their retail outlet in Hughes Road, Bargara.
Debbie said what they love most about farming in Bundaberg is being a part of the community and of course the wonderful weather.
“The soil on all the farms Michael has worked with has been fertile and the crops have responded well from his knowledge,” she said.
“The temperature is not too hot, or too cold for the crops we choose to grow.
“There is an abundance of people who work in the agriculture and horticulture industries here in town and any questions can be answered.”
To mark the occasion, Bargara Berries would like to celebrate with the community by hosting a free family fun day at their farm at 104 Hoods Road Meadowvale on Saturday.
Alongside a Triple M live broadcast with El and Joe, there will music from Jo Carr Singers as well as hamburgers and sausages cooked by the North Bundaberg Lions Club and coffee from Hit ‘N’ Run Barista.
The kids will be kept busy with Old MacDonalds Farm and face painting and of course there will be fresh strawberries, handcrafted jams and sauces and real fruit gelato on offer.
The couple is also using the opportunity to raise funds for their grandson Arley who was born with a rare neurological brain disorder and needs medical grade equipment to help make his life a bit easier in his school environment.
“We have come a long way from the initial plans of selling strawberries from a farm shed,” said Debbie, describing the milestone as a ‘coming of age’ for the family run business.
“We want to thank all our customers that have come and thanked us for growing these berries.”
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Debbie and Michael form a most wonderful team.
From the moment when I first met them — separately — in one of their shops, many years ago; they have remembered my name and still greet me with that name each strawberry season when I arrive to buy up. Congratulations to you and to your family which assists you too. Kind Regards. Ray.