Schartner Farms…Local Icon Up and Running!

Schartner Farms…Ready for Spring and Beyond!

Visiting Schartner Farms on a lovely afternoon in the early Spring is a sure and instant way to let the Winter blues go, and to rejoice in Nature’s cyclical return to bright colors, growth, and sunny warmth. Rhode Islanders will be especially thankful for Schartner Farms and their wonderful produce this season, knowing that the farm was almost lost to fire on a freezing dawn on March 6th of this year. Early morning commuters on Route 2 witnessed the iconic main building/ farm stand engulfed in flames, as first responders battled the blaze.  Firefighters needed to shut down the gas lines in order to stop the fire, and this led to the major problem of losing heat to the greenhouses, home to thousands of sprouts and seedlings that would quickly perish in the brutal cold. As the battle against the flames was fought in the main building,farmers and neighbors worked tirelessly to restore separate gas heat to the green houses, and their effort was, thankfully, successful. Today, on a sunny early April afternoon, Schartner Farms has been reopened to the public for just over a week. They were able to open in time for Easter,and, as our pictures show, were able to offer a vivid rainbow of Hydrangeas, Tulips, Daffodils, Pansies, Gardenias, and, of course, Lilies.Schartner Farms has been in business, in a variety of forms, since the 1880’s. Their current incarnation has been a popular Rhode Island institution since 1972. The farm is known for strawberry, blackberry, and blueberry picking, and generations of Rhode Islanders young and old have enjoyed warm days in the fields, smiling and stained with berry juice.The farm is also cherished for amazing seasonal vegetables, which are grown and sold from early Spring to late Fall. Christmas trees and wreaths are beautiful here, as well. Schartner’s also maintains a nursery, gift shop, and bakery. Their jams are much beloved,

especially their “Black Blue” combo of blueberries and blackberries, which offers a unique blast of New England flavor. Schartner Farms also hosts many school field trips, wherein the next generation receives an introduction to the hard work and great benefit that farmers add to our life. Schartner Farms is a working RI farm that should be visited by those interested in having a personal connection to their food, and those who want to support a RI business that has proven itself to be indomitable.  From season to season, you can expect Schartner Farms to have something special to offer.  The corn maze makes for perfect fall fun and the berry picking is a warm weather winner!   Despite the near tragedy of the March fire, Schartner Farms has quickly rebuilt and reopened; and they are here 7 days a week, from 8:30 a.m.to 6 p.m. for their plants and their customers. Visit them today!