When God planted the seed of the idea of starting a blueberry farm about eight years ago, it seemed pretty crazy. We weren’t farmers and planting 1,500 blueberry plants in the ground felt overwhelming. Yet, we knew it could work. We knew we could create a place where our community could gather and laughter could echo across the fields. And, most importantly, we could fund the work our hearts are passionate about: empowering at-risk youth, resourcing families in order to prevent orphans and breaking the cycle of extreme poverty around the globe.
Blueberries are a crop that will yield fruit over a long period of time. If you nurture them and properly care for them, the investment will span decades.
We aren’t looking to solve long-stemming issues of hunger and poverty with a short-term investment. We are committed to the long-haul with these kids. We want to sow seeds of truth and righteousness and love. The fruit that will result will be long-lasting: eternal. – Dave Marrs
Dave studied and went to classes, he found mentors and he learned how to prepare the soil, plant the plants and grow the blueberries. We worked as a family in the fields and many of our dear friends joined alongside us. I had baby Charlotte strapped to my back as we planted.
The first couple of years we simply had to wait. We picked weeds. We pulled blooms. We cultivated the plants. And, then, we waited. The harvest wasn’t ready.
Then, finally, on year three, it was time. We announced the big launch of The Berry Farm and planned a celebratory u-pick day in the fields.
We woke up on the morning of the very first u-pick and saw that an overnight storm had destroyed our crop. Defeated, we cancelled the u-pick.
A week or so later, we had enough ripe berries to try again. We sent out word to everyone we knew: this is it! It’s time to gather together in the fields to pick blueberries! And, the morning of the scheduled u-pick, we checked the fields and found that our crop had been eaten already: birds.
That first year was tough, the commitment we had already made to our partners in Zimbabwe was $50,000 – which was the cost of launching and fully funding the agricultural training program for the year. We had done the math before the start of the season and felt confident we could fulfill our commitment. We had prayed around the fields and trusted God would provide. We ended up making around $8,000 that first year but we had faith that God would make a way.
There are so many stories from the farm over the years, but today, I can’t help but look back on that first harvest when we felt so defeated and overwhelmed. We knew we had heard God correctly but things were not turning out as we had hoped.
Fast forward four years to this past weekend and our second annual Berry Fest. We welcomed 3,000 people to the farm and raised $46,223 (!!!!). And, last night, we hosted another u-pick and raised just over $5,000. We raised enough in two nights to fund the program in Zimbabwe for another year. And, we are continuing to work to send the additional proceeds from this year’s harvest to empower families in Belize through the program Help One Now has established there.
Four years ago, at the end of that first harvest, I never would have believed we would be here now. Years of hard work, perseverance, and so, so many friends linking arms with us over the years to help with the work. It’s not even about the money. It’s about the vision God planted for this soil and the way He has blown us away with his absolute faithfulness. We are extremely humbled and grateful to be a part of this incredible story He’s writing here at our little farm.
Thank you to every one of you who have come out to pick berries and spend time on this soil. We are truly, truly thankful.
(And, HUGE thank you to Houston Evans for this incredible video!!)
