The U-Pick Experience
It’s our favorite time of year: strawberry season! The Farm on Central strawberry fields are currently open for U-Pick with a ticket reservation. (We use a ticketing system to keep the fields from being over-picked or under-picked.) There are tons of beautiful berries out there, and we can’t wait for you to come get them!
Every summer, over 3,000 people visit Farm On Central to enjoy our berries. We are located between Dayton and Cincinnati, and offer a family-friendly U-Pick experience that is both fun and rewarding, with clean fields that make it easy for you to pick strawberries by the basket or flat. This year (2026) we also added a food truck next to our fields, so you can grab fresh strawberry slushes after picking your berries.
The best part? Our strawberries are never sprayed with harmful chemicals, so you can enjoy them straight from the field. Bring your family and friends for a day of strawberry picking and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Our 2026 Strawberry Season started at the end of April and will run throughout May. Click here to book your u-pick ticket.
How U-Pick Works: Simple, Sweet, and Straightforward
We’ve made our U-Pick experience easy and enjoyable—just the way it should be.
🎟️ 1. Reserve Your Spot
Book your ticket online ahead of time. This helps us keep the fields peaceful and well-paced for every guest. Click here to see if any time slots are available now, or join the waitlist here to be notified as soon as more time slots open.
🧺 2. Check In (Fields are at a new location this year!)
When you arrive, check in and grab your U-Pick basket. Already have a favorite container? Great! Just let us weigh it before you start harvesting.
As of 2026, our strawberry fields have been moved to 430 Chamberlain Road. It’s only a 5-minute drive from our farm store on 572 Central Ave, so feel free to swing by before or after picking to shop the latest bakery goods & fresh produce. We have porta-potties setup at the fields, as well as a short river trail and food truck.
🍓 3. Head to the Field and Start Picking
Now for the fun part—harvest time! Wander our clean, chemical-free rows and pick as much as your basket (or your kiddos) can carry. Go for the deep red berries—they’re bursting with flavor!
⚖️ 4. Weigh, Pay, and Savor
Once you’ve gathered your berries, head back to the checkout station to weigh and pay. Then it’s time to take your sun-kissed harvest home and enjoy the taste of summer. Whether you snack straight from the basket or save them for a special recipe, you’ll be amazed at how good fresh can be.
Why Choose Farm On Central Strawberries?
Our commitment to better-than-organic and regenerative practices means that our strawberries are grown in a way that benefits both your health and the environment. We focus on soil health, use natural pest control methods, and harvest our strawberries at peak ripeness for maximum flavor and nutrition. When you choose Farm On Central strawberries, you’re choosing a product that is better for you and the planet.
Snack Pass: Enjoy Berries Without Worry!
We understand how challenging it can be to keep the kids from munching on those delicious berries in the field. And we’ve seen the struggle of parents trying to pick berries while keeping an eye on the little ones. That’s why we’re excited to offer the Snack Pass! (the option to purchase a snack pass will show up after you purchase a ticket)
What is the Snack Pass?
- One Pass per Kid: With the Snack Pass, each child gets the freedom to snack on berries straight from the field.
- Worry-Free Snacking: Our berries are not sprayed with pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides. Instead, we use minerals and prebiotics to keep them healthy and delicious.
Important Notice:
- Natural Contaminants: While our berries are free from harmful chemicals, please be aware that they may still have dirt or other natural contaminants.
- Eat at Your Own Risk: Enjoy the berries, but remember that snacking in the field is at your own risk.
NOTE: you must have a parking ticket as well as a snack pass, the snack pass is NOT a replacement for the parking ticket, it is an add-on.
U-Pick Rules:
1. No pets in the field for food safety and little people’s safety
2. Please do not run in the field or step across rows except in specific areas
3. Please do not eat in the field or before your berries are weighed.
4. Children are welcome, please keep them in sight and well-mannered
5. This is our home that we share with our community, please be respectful of our house and personal items
Anyone who breaks the above rules may be asked to leave the premises.
Don’t Leave Without Popping Into the Farm Store!
After filling your basket in the field, be sure to take a few extra minutes to step inside our on-farm store—we’ve stocked it with strawberry-themed goodies to make your day even sweeter!
Here’s a peek at what you’ll find during Strawberry U-Pick:
Temporary Strawberry Tattoos
What child (or fun-loving adult) wouldn’t want to wear their berry-picking badge of honor for a few days? These cute, temporary tattoos are a favorite with kids—and a fun way to remember your day at the farm.
Swedish Kitchen Cloths
Our office manager, Janelle, swears by these reusable, compostable kitchen cloths. They’ve nearly eliminated the need for paper towels and sponges in her home. Super absorbent, quick-drying, and odor-free, these are a total game-changer for messes big and small.
Strawberry Earrings by Snazzy Lobs
Handmade by a local artist right in Gratis, these clay earrings are the perfect playful accessory for kids and adults alike. They’re adorable, lightweight, and a fun way to support another small local business.
Strawberry Corers
Make prepping your berries a breeze with these simple but super-effective strawberry corers. Whether you’re making jam, freezing for later, or just getting snack-ready, these handy tools will save you time and effort.
Strawberry-Themed T-Shirts
Show your love for strawberry season in style! We’ve got fun, comfy t-shirts for the whole family—perfect for photos in the field or a casual summer day.
Come Back for More!
While our strawberry U-Pick is seasonal, it’s only the beginning of what you can enjoy here.
Throughout the growing season, we invite you to come back for:
- Farm-fresh produce: We have salad mixes & greens in the farm store year-round, plus tons of fresh seasonal produce.
- Sourdough: Buy delicious artisan loaves and other baked goods straight from our sourdough kitchen on the farm.
- Milk & eggs: We source milk and eggs from other local farms, so you can grab these essentials whenever you come to shop for produce.
And More Throughout the Season!
In the meantime, we hope you enjoy visiting our strawberry fields. Each U-Pick experience is a chance to connect with your food, your family, and the land it all comes from. The best part? You don’t need to be a gardening pro or spend hours prepping—just show up, pick, and enjoy. And don’t forget to grab a strawberry slushie on the way out.
You Can Find Out More About Strawberry U-Pick Here: https://strawberry.farmoncentral.com/
