Champaign Berry Farm: Owners Hope More Farmers Choose to Grow Berries

They didn’t start with black raspberries, peaches, gooseberries, or currants. But they also didn’t know that customers would drive several hours to fill a basket fresh from the farm. Mike and Cathy Pullins adjusted their business plans for Champaign Berry Farm in Urbana, Ohio. They hope that other farmers do, too.

“We’re not gonna live forever,” Mike Pullins told American Farmland Owner as he sat next to his wife, Cathy, in their kitchen after a long summer day on the farm. “I am concerned about what our customer base is going to do when we’re not able to do the farming,” he said.

That sense of legacy drives the Pullins’ commitment. Though their children have built careers away from agriculture — one is an engineer, another an executive banker, and their daughter a business consultant — there’s hope that they will return.

The Future of the Berry Farm

“Our sons at retirement may come back to the farm,” Mike said. “It’s a great secondary profession for a lot of people — whether that’s military or professional people.”

That’s a key insight for attracting more growers to berries: framing it not just as a full-time farming lifestyle, but as a meaningful second career or semi-retirement path. Berries — with their staggered growing seasons, smaller acreage demands, and direct-to-consumer appeal — fit the bill for smaller operations or side enterprises.

The Pullins know that berries are labor-intensive and require attention across all seasons. “Herbicides are applied to the raspberries actually in late winter, early spring,” Mike said. “Those jobs and roles aren’t as time sensitive… but certainly harvest is.”

Still, there is a seasonal rhythm to it that appeals to those looking to stay active and engaged without being overwhelmed year-round.

That balance is important, especially for couples managing a farm together. Cathy explained how their longevity — both in marriage and business — is based on clearly defined roles. “Mike is the grower. He’s the manager of the herbicides and all the chemicals,” she said. “I do more of the ‘let’s get people in here to get the job done,’ do the payroll, and a lot of the selling.”

RELATED: Florida researchers have been working on a research project to help berries thrive in a new growing season. 

Defining Roles on Family Farms

This division of labor, along with mutual respect and adaptability, is essential for anyone considering a berry operation, especially in family-run ventures. “We may discuss, you know, what are we going to tear out? What are we gonna replant next year? And sometimes we don’t always agree on that,” Cathy said.

“But we just celebrated our 51st wedding anniversary,” she added with a smile.

Their resilience has been tested — and strengthened — by health challenges. “I’m a double lung transplant patient,” Mike shared. “Two and a half years out and doing well.”

That experience shifted their perspective. “The worst thing I could do is just sit down,” he said. “You got to be doing something… especially to survive and stay healthy.”

Cathy added, “I witnessed what Mike went through, and I pray a lot. That puts life in perspective. So, the black raspberries aren’t really good this year. But in the whole grand scheme of things, everything’s doing well.”

This ability to adapt and stay grounded, even in difficult seasons, is something aspiring berry farmers need to understand. Berry farming is not without its challenges. Weather, pests, and labor demands can be significant. But the rewards, both personal and economic, are just as real.

Diversifying on the Farm

Diversification is another Pullins hallmark. Their 1,900-acre operation also includes peaches, gooseberries, currants, cucumbers, melons, zucchinis, sweet corn, and tomatoes. “Even within the specialty crops, that’s been one reason we diversified,” Mike noted. “Our black raspberries are down. Everything else is excellent.”

For farmers looking to break into berries, the Pullins suggest starting small, staying realistic, and building a strong network — both with customers and fellow growers. Cathy’s contacts help her move surplus peaches, for example, and being active in organizations like Rotary keeps the couple connected to the community.

The Pullins' success shows that with careful planning, clear roles, and a mindset geared toward service and sustainability, berry farming can be a fruitful path — literally and figuratively.

As Cathy put it best, “If things don’t go our way, then so be it. God has a plan, and we’re hopefully doing the right things as a result of that.”

RELATED: “A controversial blueberry farm” hit the market in New York last year.