Dacula Briar Patch

I photographed the Dacula Briar Patch for a Three of a Kind photo feature for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Thursday, June 14, 2012.  Most residents in the metro area think that the majority of produce in Georgia comes from the southern and northern sections of the state. These areas are where the land stretches into acres of  fertile tracks that produce fruit and vegetables. Atlantans may be surprised to find that within a short distance of downtown, there are farms that produce the same fresh varieties as the larger growers but without the drive. The 18.5 acre farm has over 2,000 blueberry bushes that customers can pick as well as apples, muscadine grapes, beans, squash, watermelon and an assortment of other fruits and vegetables.   There are quite a few farms that allow customers to pick their own produce in the metro area.

Patti Sauers and her husband Jim pick blueberries at the Dacula Briar Patch on Thursday, June 14, 2012. The 18.5 acre farm has over 2,000 blueberry bushes that customers can pick as well as apples, muscadine grapes, beans, squash, watermelon and an assortment of other fruits and vegetables.

 

Blueberries grow on one of over 2,000 blueberry bushes at the Dacula Briar Patch on Thursday, June 14, 2012.

 

Jim Sauers laughs while talking with his wife as he picks blueberries at the Dacula Briar Patch on Thursday, June 14, 2012. The 18.5 acre farm has over 2,000 blueberry bushes that customers can pick as well as apples, muscadine grapes, beans, squash, watermelon and an assortment of other fruits and vegetables.

 

Emma Neville walks through the rows of blueberry bushes at the Dacula Briar Patch on Thursday, June 14, 2012.

 

Patti Sauers picks blueberries at the Dacula Briar Patch on Thursday, June 14, 2012. The 18.5 acre farm has over 2,000 blueberry bushes that customers can pick as well as apples, muscadine grapes, beans, squash, watermelon and an assortment of other fruits and vegetables.

 

April Browne picks blueberries next to an old tractor at the Dacula Briar Patch on Thursday, June 14, 2012.

 

Donna Tesh picks blueberries at the Dacula Briar Patch on Thursday, June 14, 2012. The 18.5 acre farm has over 2,000 blueberry bushes that customers can pick as well as apples, muscadine grapes, beans, squash, watermelon and an assortment of other fruits and vegetables.

 

Simon Melniciuc holds a blueberry in his hand as he picks them with his mother Lidia at the Dacula Briar Patch on Thursday, June 14, 2012.

 

Flowers bloom on one of the blueberry bushes at the Dacula Briar Patch on Thursday, June 14, 2012.

 

Andrew Neville and his sister Emma pick blueberries at the Dacula Briar Patch on Thursday, June 14, 2012.

 

Angela Lawson picks blueberries at the Dacula Briar Patch on Thursday, June 14, 2012. The 18.5 acre farm has over 2,000 blueberry bushes that customers can pick as well as apples, muscadine grapes, beans, squash, watermelon and an assortment of other fruits and vegetables.

 

Emma Neville picks blueberries at the Dacula Briar Patch on Thursday, June 14, 2012.

 

April Browne picks blueberries next to an old tractor at the Dacula Briar Patch on Thursday, June 14, 2012.

 

Blueberries grow on one of over 2,000 blueberry bushes at the Dacula Briar Patch on Thursday, June 14, 2012.

 

Simon Melniciuc (left) and his mother Lidia pick blueberries at the Dacula Briar Patch on Thursday, June 14, 2012.

 

Emma Neville picks blueberries at the Dacula Briar Patch on Thursday, June 14, 2012. The 18.5 acre farm has over 2,000 blueberry bushes that customers can pick as well as apples, muscadine grapes, beans, squash, watermelon and an assortment of other fruits and vegetables.

 

April Browne picks blueberries next to an old tractor at the Dacula Briar Patch on Thursday, June 14, 2012.

 

Emma Neville picks blueberries at the Dacula Briar Patch on Thursday, June 14, 2012.

 

Blueberries fill one of the gallon buckets at the Dacula Briar Patch on Thursday, June 14, 2012.

 

Cindy Collins transfers gallons of blueberries into her own containers at the Dacula Briar Patch on Thursday, June 14, 2012.