For Bozaks, running blueberry farm's 'the berries'

John and Chris Bozak, at the farm with their dogs, Jack and Toby. (Lebanon Voice/Harrison Thorp photos)

LEBANON - Berry Best Farm in Lebanon has about a dozen varieties of blueberries, some extra sweet, some with a little more tang, some with a hint of cinnamon, but owners John and Chris Bozak aren’t that finicky when it comes to naming which type they like the best.

“I like the ones that are ripe,” Chris Bozak said with a grin, while John Bozak quipped, “I guess my palette’s not that sophisticated.”

Truth is, Chris Bozak’s been around blueberries all her life since her dad started the Lebanon blueberry farm back in 1955.

That’s when they used cuttings from a wild blueberry plant on the farm and began cultivating them to sell during the summer. That bush from 1955 is still bearing a sturdy crop today.

Only today there’s more than five acres of high bush blueberries to be cared for on their 75-acre farm, known at Berry Best Farm, which is located on Colburn Way off Center Road a short distance north of Shapleigh Road.

David Stevens of East Rochester and his daughter, Jadyn, 8, pick bueberries at Berry Best Farm in Lebanon on Wednesday.

Both of the Bozaks are retired after long careers at the University of New Hampshire, John as a forestry professor for 36 years; and Chris, who worked in the animal sciences and in the UNH Dairy Nutrition Lab for many years.

John Bozak said raising and tending a blueberry crop every year is more a pastime and passion than a profit maker.

“She grew up on the farm and I think we both like having a piece of land where we can practice what we learned in our careers,” he said on Wednesday.

Chris Bozak grew up on the farm, which at one point was home to 20 thoroughbreds, including many trotters. The lingering indentations of a third-of-a-mile-track encircle much of the blueberry crop. She said she and her grandchildren who live nearby still ride horses around the track occasionally.

The Bozaks returned to the farm and built the house they now live in in 1996. To preserve the farm they recently granted Three Rivers Land Trust a conservation easement that ensures the farm will remain either farmland or forest in perpetuity.

In addition to blueberries, the Bozaks maintain several acres of peach trees, but the peach crop is way off this year due to the severe winter.

“You don’t see too many peach trees this far north,” Chris Bozak said, “so they have a hard time.”

They also keep bees and sell homemade blueberry jams and jellies and other local goods in their store.

Chris Bozak said the job of tending blueberries begins in March with many hours of pruning and doesn’t end till September.

The Bozaks say they get customers from all over, including all the Berwicks, Rochester, Shapleigh, York and as far away as Boston.

They said they love chatting with folks who come back to the farm year after year.

Continuing with a tradition started by her mom, Chris Bozak has begun making homemade blueberry muffins she offers free to weekend customers.

“That’s your payment for picking the blueberries,” said John Bozak with a laugh.

They just recently opened their pick-your-own blueberry bushes, and sadly it’ll all be over in September.

A short season, but how sweet it is.

For more information on Berry Best Farm go to http://berrybestfarm.com.