Our Story

Berkley girl meets country boy

 I am now a Michigan farmer but my Berkley roots run deep. My grandparents settled in Berkley almost 70 years ago.  My parents met and fell in love at Berkley High School in the 1960s. In our family there was a stream of Berkley Bears from 1953 to 1997.  I was the class of 1987. I graduated, went off to college, moved back to Berkley, then I fell in love with a farmer named Lee.

 Lee was raised on a farm in Armada where his family has equally deep roots. Lee is a fifth generation farmer and although he worked in the automotive field after college, farming always called to him. In 1994, Lee returned to the life he loved and bought 100 acres in North Branch, in the heart of  Michigan’s thumb and farm country.  He planted the fields, tended the orchard, constructed a greenhouse and started a twig furniture business all during his bachelor days. ( He had more time back then he will tell you) J.

Berkley girl moves to the farm

We were married in 2002. Since that time we have had plenty of what we call “ Green Acre” moments  combining city and country backgrounds. Now,  10 years later we have grown not only the farm   (Uhlianuk’s Specialties From the Farm, LLC) but a family as well. I can call myself a farm girl and our 3 children can pull onions and talk tractors with the best of them. You could say we are “eclectic farmers” meaning, we try not to keep all our eggs in one basket ( I get these sayings now). During the spring, we specialize in perennial flowers and heirloom tomato plants ( over 100 varieties!) and during the summer and fall we plant and harvest naturally grown( no chemicals), primarily heirloom produce and seasonal decor.  We start all of our vegetable plants in our own greenhouses with organic, non- GMO seed. Lee still finds time to build some of his furniture and garden accents which have been featured in many local and national publications over the years. You may have seen us at one of the many Metro-Detroit farmers markets between the months of May and October.

Four year old inspires The Berkley Farm Stand

Last summer our 4 year old son grew a terrific garden and wanted his own market. We set him up on Tuesday afternoons in his grandma’s Berkley front yard. We called it “Ben’s Market.”   We began with a few tables and what we could fit in my car and by October we were bringing down a full sized market truck. It was wildly successful and so much fun! I loved bringing the farm home to Berkley!

 It quickly became an event that everyone looked forward to and there was an old fashioned sense of community and seasonal joy.  The last pumpkin sale of the season was bittersweet for the entire neighborhood.

Over the past winter, Lee and I discussed the idea of  opening a 7 day a week stand stocked with not only our produce, but our neighbors as well. A place where we could sell truly  fresh picked fruits and vegetables. Less than 24 hours from soil and stand. When we thought about location, Berkley immediately came to mind. After the response to Ben’s market it seemed like the obvious choice. We found the perfect spot on a grassy lot in the heart of downtown Berkley, right next to Clark’s Ice Cream, an old-time Berkley favorite! The city was agreeable and everyone we talked to was enthused.

THE BERKLEY FARM STAND was born!

Our pledge to our customers

The idea of returning to my roots, bringing our farm to Berkley and promoting Michigan grown produce   is a thrill. We think you will feel that energy when you visit. We are looking forward to being a part of the community and we look forward to involving area residents and business owners in whatever ways that may evolve. We will strive to recreate the old fashioned sense of community and seasonal joy we felt at Ben’s Market. The stand will have daily children’s activities including story time and lawn games, sitting areas for people to gather with friends and special events to celebrate the season.

At THE BERKLEY FARM STAND we are committed to selling 100% Michigan grown.

 Less than 24 hours soil to stand.

The only thing better than that is growing it yourself!

 Please help us make this successful for local farmers and the Berkley community by spreading the word to friends and neighbors.

Starting September 1, 2012, come on down to

THE BERKLEY FARM STAND!

 Support Michigan farmers, eat ultra- fresh produce and have some agri-fun all in the downtown Berkley!

We look forward to sharing the harvest season with you!

Oh, one more thing, Ben stills thinks it’s his market, so if you see him at the stand, shhhhhhhhh. J

Lee and Laura Uhlianuk