Peach Festival, Schnepf Farms

Peach Festival, Schnepf Farms -    

It's time for the Peach Festival at Schnepf Farms!  Schnepf Farms offers a U-pick, organic, pesticide free garden for the public to pick peaches.  Admission is free and peaches are $2.00 per pound.  The Peach Festival is May 18, 7:30 am, through May 27,  4:00 pm.

Schnepf Farms is the largest organic producer of peaches in Arizona.  They offer varietes specifically for our desert climate.  Make sure to check their calendar of events and to locate the farm for the Peach Festival.  

But don't stop at peaches! 

Schnepf Farms also offers apricots, plums and apples.  For vegetables, check to see what's in season, but the list is 19 items for the spring/summer and 15 items for fall/winter.  It's easy to see why driving to Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek makes sense and how this family farm has survived and thrived.  

Speaking of Queen Creek, the Schnepf family put Queen Creek on the map, literally!  Ray and Thora Schnepf founded the farm and it grew to 5,000 acres in what was originally Rhittenhouse, Arizona.  Not to be incorporated into Mesa or Gilbert, Mark Schnepf and a few of his friends worked to create the town of Queen Creek, with Schnepf serving as it's first Mayor.  What was unique is that the town existed without a sales tax!  You can read more about the History of Schnepf Farms and their political rewards on their site, including being named an Arizona Treasure by then Governor Janet Napolitano in 2006.  Plus there's a tidbit about "Country Thunder," which might ring a bell!

Today Mark and his family still run the farm, a bit smaller, but still provides some of the best produce around.  There are seasonal festivals, educational events, birthday parties, and even weddings down on the farm.  You can find the farm at 2810 S Rhittenhouse Road, Queen Creek, Arizona 85242. Call 480-987-3100 for information, but their website has all the information you'll need for directions.  

So don't miss the Peach Festival because it's time for fresh peaches at the U-Pick garden at Schnepf Farms!