A friend of mine, who makes the most delectable, mouth-watering scones, first told me about Lawson Brothers Farm. She would regularly trek out to the little farm two miles east of the Vinland Township and pluck berries fresh off the canes filling up baskets full of vine-ripened blackberries and raspberries. I finally had the privilege of seeing this historical homestead upon the evening of her wedding when the lush, natural setting of the rolling hills of Kansas served as a picturesque backdrop for the blessed event.
The Lawson Brothers Farm is a destination drive for the delicious berries that you may pluck while meandering through the rows of canes and hand select each plump, juicy morsel, but it is also a fascinating stop to learn about our Kansas forefathers and catch a glimpse of what life was like in the 19th century. The farm was established in 1856 when Knud Anderson caught wind that land in the Kansas Territory was sold for 50-cents-an-acre; he left Chicago and snatched up his little piece of prairie paradise. Anderson and his wife, Anna, had five children who all tended to the traditional crops raised on the farm. Lawson Brothers Farm today has a handful of the original buildings that Knud and Anna erected, the sandstone house built in 1868 the main barn was raised in 1883 and a slew of other structures all hold enthralling tales of frontier life. It was a time when numerous relatives crammed into tiny houses and privacy was had in the outhouse and not many other areas. These old dwellings are a far cry from our “finished basements” and cavernous master bedrooms of today.
As the Lawson Brothers Farm was passed to various family members, the latest being Bertha Weiler who lived alone on the homestead until her death in 1991 at the age of 95, the oral and photographic history has been coveted by the current owners, the Lawson brothers. Gary, Dennis and Stan Lawson took ownership of their great-great-grandparents property upon Bertha Weiler’s death and introduced the u-pick berries in 1998. Gary says, “We know that when our ancestors were alive the community they developed, friendships they fostered and the work that they had was most important to their lives. We try to maintain the old structures but the most essential aspect is cultivating the land.”
The farm boasts Heritage Raspberries now which are a biannual cane but they have planted ever-bearing and summer-bearing raspberries in the hopes to have a bumper crop in the summer and fall seasons. Why berries, Gary Lawson says, “We were interested in learning about a crop of higher quality than corn or beans. The equipment is lesser and people seem to really enjoy the process of picking their own berries and viewing the homestead. We really don’t know much about berries actually, but we are learning.”
In the process of learning the brothers, their wives and Gary’s son have also sown quite a few rows of strawberries which are new for the 2006 harvest year. Gary shares their plans for the future growth, “We currently have one acre planted of blackberries, raspberries and strawberries but each year we intend on planting more berries until all ten acres are full. The idea of planting peonies or some other flowering shrub has been tossed around as well, we’ll see.” The Lawson brothers sell by volume and the farm works on the trust system, the barn doors are opened during the picking season, some plastic containers are available for depositing the berries and a jar sits next to the scale where pickers place the monetary amount for the bounty they will go home with. Last year Gary estimates that they sold 2500 pounds of blackberries alone. They brothers trio are also entertaining the idea of more weddings, reunions and anniversary gatherings on the gorgeous, tiered property.
Some scheduled events for the 2006 harvesting season are a Birdwatching Day on May 20th when you can learn about some native winged critters and fill up on fresh strawberries, and on July 15th the Blackberry Dessert Demonstration day will feature a plethora of culinary delights to try when you get home with your car full of blackberries. Whether you have a taste for berries or not the Lawson Brothers Farm is a great place to view what life was like on a Kansas homestead, soak in some fresh air and absorb a little history of farm life gone by.
Picking Seasons:
· Strawberries- Late May
· Blackberries – Mid-July
· Raspberries – Mid-August
1862 N. 700 Road
Baldwin City, KS
www.lawsonbrothersfarm.com
