Man Growing First Large Blackberry Crop in West TN
This video is no longer available.
Growing and harvesting healthy foods has a long history here in West Tennessee – from strawberry farms to blueberry patches, and even peach orchards. But Gibson County farmer, Charles Cowen, looks to carry on the area’s rich agriculture history by growing blackberries on the commercial level. Rows upon rows of sweet, juicy blackberries – as big as your thumb- dangle from the stems at Cowen Farms in Bradford. “Through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and Diversification Program, we established this,” said Cowen. “And so far as we know, this is the first commercial offering of blackberries in West Tennessee.” The fruit, often known for it’s large, hooked thorns, hasn’t been developed for agri-tourism in the area. But Cowen says his variety of berries, developed by the University of Arkansas, are less threatening. “All three of these varieties are thorn-less,” said Cowen. “So they’re easy to pick, easy to get to. Of course, it’s labor intensive to pick them, too. But the way we have them here, they’re readily picked without so many pests and without thorns.” Cowen says the Extension Service of Tennessee helped him select the thorn-less varieties, and designed a unique drip irrigation system. The system is pressure regulated and provides each berry with the perfect amount of water and fertilizer. “They put up what’s called a ‘primocane’ in the spring, and then they live and grow that spring. And then the next year they will bloom and put fruit on,” said Cowen. “We set these blackberries last April, and this will be the first year that they bare fruit.” He hopes that it will also be the first year that he shares his fruit with families across West Tennessee. “That is our goal,” said Cowen. “To create happy, and healthy memories for people.” Beginning Thursday, Cowen Farms will be open to the public. You can pick your own blackberries for $10 per gallon, or purchase pre-picked fruit for $14 per gallon.
