By SUSAN BLOWER
Indiana Correspondent

ANDERSON, Ind. — Rows and rows of fresh strawberries, apples picked right off the tree, and many small fruits fill up the backyard of Terry, Jr., and Carrie Nennich, whose farm will be the focus of a tour this Tuesday, May 31 at 6-7:30 p.m., rain or shine.

Purdue experts in disease control and small fruits, such as strawberries, blueberries and brambles, will lead the tour along with Nennich, whose expertise is strawberries.

Nennich’s farm is called Pastor’s Produce and is open every day but Saturday. Nennich is pastor of the Seventh Day Adventist churches in Anderson and Knightstown, Ind. Seventh Day Adventists observe their Sabbath day on Saturday, which is why the farm is closed on that day. “My kids consider themselves farmer’s kids, not pastor’s kids,” Nennich said with a laugh. “I’m a full-time pastor and part-time farmer, but that’s okay with me.”
They may be “farmer’s kids” because the whole family joins him in the fields, picking weeds and hoeing, most evenings. Nennich finds the work and the resulting business refreshing.

“It’s something I love to do. It’s my way of relaxing and meeting new people. I give strawberries as an outreach to my neighborhood,” Nennich said.
Nennich moved to rural Anderson four years ago, when he started Pastor’s Produce. He doesn’t consider grocery stores to be competitors for his new business.

He said that while his prices are comparable with chain stores, the flavor is not.

“The California strawberries (in the stores) are picked when they’re green and injected with gas to turn them red. If (the pickers) wait till they’re ripe, the berries are perishable,” Nennich said.

He will be selling his U-pick strawberries for $1.75/lb. and $1.50/lb. For bulk purchases. He anticipates that the strawberry season will open June 1. The season only lasts about three weeks.

Nennich grew up on a 50-acre fruit and vegetable farm in Minnesota. His father, Terry Nennich, Sr., is a horticulturist and an expert in growing strawberries in the region, Nennich said.

With a few boxes of bumblebees shipped in to pollinate the plants and “Dad’s advice,” Nennich feels prepared for this growing season, despite the heavy rain and late frost this spring.

“The orchard and blueberries are new to me. I’ve never done them before. It’s too cold in Minnesota,” Nennich said.

He also grows asparagus, blackberries and red, yellow and black raspberries.
Purdue University’s Bruce Bordelon, small fruit specialist, and Janna Beckerman, plant disease specialist, will cover the basics of growing small fruit crops and managing pests. For more information and to register, call Purdue Extension at 765-641-9514. Purdue Extension and Madison County Growers Council are sponsoring the event.

Pastor’s Produce is at 3840 West 38th St. in Anderson. For details on the farm, visit pastorsproduce.com or call 765-393-0466. Nennich asks customers to call ahead to check field conditions and supply.