Like the rest of Virginia’s farmers, strawberry growers have been dealing with an extremely wet winter and early spring. But if the sun comes out soon, they’re hoping for a sweet picking season.

What better time to celebrate fresh fruits and vegetables than the first month of summer? June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month, and we have two delicious recipes featuring fresh Virginia produce.

At Swift Creek Berry Farm and Greenhouse in Chesterfield County, one of many pick-your-own operations across Virginia, the bushes are loaded with ripening blueberries.

The 10th Annual Berry Production and Marketing Conference will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 8 at Virginia State University.

Many Virginians like to celebrate National Dairy Month by enjoying a delicious dessert like this parfait.

May is when Virginia strawberries begin to ripen. And there is nothing sweeter than a refreshing strawberry soup.

Strawberry growers prefer their weather mild and dry, and the forecast after this week’s heavy rains is looking positive for the upcoming season.

This recipe was prepared by Chef John Maxwell on Real Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s weekly television program.

Maxwell, a certified executive chef, culinary educator and member of the American Academy of Chefs, shares delicious seasonal recipes in a Real Virginia segment sponsored by Virginia Grown, a program of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

It’s the time of year when fresh Virginia-grown blueberries and blackberries are ripe for the picking, and berry lovers can once again savor locally sourced summer fruits. 

The genesis of the modern strawberry is perhaps the greatest long-distance plant breeding project of all time.