Local Agritourism Outlet Announces New Product

    Area agritourism received another boost in the past week, when Umatilla’s Graham farms finished installing over 900 blackberry plants. The farm, which has gained notoriety in recent years for its u-pick peach and sunflower operations, installed the plants with an eye to adding to its spring product offering.
    “It wasn’t part of our original plan, but it was an opportunity,” said Mary Graham this week while taking a break from tending the plants, which are in the process of growing limbs to house next year’s crop.
    Blackberries have been known as a boutique fruit for many years, with both their rarity and thorny nature keeping them on the edges of fruit production operations. However, the Graham’s plants are of the thornless variety, making picking a pain-free experience, and one that can lead to enjoyment of a unique delicacy.
    Blackberry season runs roughly the same as peach season, meaning customers who flock to the farm next spring will have more picking enjoyment during their visit.
    But the work for next spring’s picking fun begins now, with daily ‘pinning’ of new growth on wires, which will allow plants to properly put on berries.
    “It’s something different, another thing for people to enjoy,” said Graham of the decision to broaden the farm’s offerings. “What the heck, right?”