Bauer Berry Farm in Champlin to Close
Bill and Nancy Bauer started Bauer Berry Farm in 1977. Now after four decades of growing fruits and vegetables for the public’s enjoyment, they’ve decided to close the farm so they can retire.
“We made the announcement [Tuesday] just to inform our customers so they’d know for next year,” Nancy Bauer said. “But all along, many of them have gotten an inkling that we were gonna retire, and we’ve known for years that we had to phase it out cause it’s too hard to keep going.”
Every summer, families would make the trek to Champlin to pick fresh, juicy strawberries and blueberries at Bauer Berry Farm. A small army of teenagers employed by the Bauers would help guide the process along.
But Tuesday night, the Bauers made the announcement on their website and Facebook page that the long days and nights of growing fruits and vegetables are behind them.
The Bauers are now in their 70s, and after more than 40 years of farming, they say it’s time to move on to the next chapter.
“I hope that we generated a lot of memories for people,” said Bill Bauer. “And I know for the teenagers, I’ll never forget them. And hopefully they’ll remember the farm.”
Next summer, the Bauers encourage people to search online at MinnesotaGrown.com for other local farms where people can pick their own berries.
As for what happens to the land, the Bauers say they plan to sell it to someone who will convert it to homes.
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