Six Mile, SC, USA…The Happy Berry Inc and local area farmers sponsor setting the world record for handpicked blueberries.

Did you know that July was declared ‘Blueberry Month’ in South Carolina? To celebrate Blueberry Month, The Happy Berry, a pick your own blueberry farm in Six Mile SC, decided to have a blueberry picking contest, in hopes of producing a world record, and they did.

On August 8 at 10:30 in the morning, after four weeks of competition, “The Happy Berry” pick-your-own blueberry farm in Six Mile, SC will announce the first world record for pounds of Rabbitteye blueberries picked per hour. According to ‘Guinness World Records” the only previous category was for most blueberries picked in 8 hours by an individual and there is no current record holder. The Happy Berry felt that 8 hours was so long a time that only commercial pickers would be likely to attempt to set a record. To encourage more participation, they designed a picking contest to measure the pounds picked per hour, and lobbied Guinness World Records to add this category to their books.

There were 36 attempts to set the record. There was a second fun category of total volume picked by a team but it is not currently being considered as an attempt towards a world record. Two Grand Prizes will be awarded, one for each category along with plaques for first and second runner ups in both categories. A large plaque will be put on display at The Happy Berry, which will list all the grand prizewinners. The grand prizes are valued at more than $200 each, and consist of fruits and other farm products donated by local farmers and specialty farm product producers of South Carolina. Sponsors of the blueberry picking contest are:

Happy Cow Creamery
Happy Cow Creamery is a unique on-the-farm milk bottling operation offering high quality fresh milk directly from its own dairy cows. Whole Milk, Chocolate Milk and Cultured Buttermilk are just a few of the products offered at the on-site-store. Located south of Greenville: 864 243 4801

Split Creek Farm
Split Creek Farm Grade A Goat Dairy is in a barn designed and built by the owners to include the milking and cheese operations and a kid nursery. A retail gift shop featuring goat milk products and folk art is open to the public. Anderson, SC: 864 287 3921

The Merry Christmas Tree Farm
The Merry Christmas Tree Farm Featuring (You Cut) Leyland Cypress, Eastern White Pine, Eastern Red Cedar, Clemson Greenspire, Carolina Blue Sapphire, and (Freshly Cut) Fraser Fir from NC mountains. Located in upstate South Carolina between Liberty and Central. Thanksgiving until December 23: 864 639 6492.

Zehr's Peach Orchard
While we sometimes have peaches from the Zehr (pronounced zare) Peach Orchard for sale at The Happy Berry, to go directly to the source, you'll find them in Sandy Springs (near Anderson): 864 261 8658.

Carolina Peaches
We also sometimes have peaches from the Calahams for sale at The Happy Berry, or you can go directly to the source,off Crawford Rd in Belton South Carolina: 864 338 0810, email scfarmer@charter.net.

Emerald Farm
Emerald Farm is a Working dairy farm with a walk-through herb garden, Soap Factory and Gift Shop where all natural Saanen goat milksoap and body products are made, Natural Food Store and Train and Hobby Shop, bound to stimulate interests of all ages. Picnic or just rest a while in the pavilion by the pond and get closer to nature. Located on the edge of the city of Greenwood, SC: (864) 223-2247 or 1(888) 747-9246.

Perdue's Mountain Fruit Farm
Growing a wide variety of fresh fruits, Taylors/Traveler's Rest, Greenville County, SC: Office(864) 244-5809; Farm Market(864) 895-5002; Email: perdueapple@aol.com

May-Lan Farms
May-Lan Tree Plantation originally began as a harvest your own Christmas tree farm. It now offers both fall and spring activities. Cooley Bridge Road, Pelzer, SC: (864) 243-3092

New Hope Farm
A working farm near Walhalla,SC, they offer tours by appointment, shearing dates, broom making, hay rides and the like. Please call ahead: 864 718 8365

Bee Well Honey Farm & Market
A commercial honey packaging facility operating over 400 colonies of honeybees in the Upstate. In addition, they offer a full line of beekeeping supplies, a market full of honey products, and shelves that are stacked with good, pure nature foods; organic meats and produce, milk and buttermilk from a local dairy, Amish cheeses and bulk grains. Visit to see nature's miracle, gain an interesting and pleasurable hobby, and educate the children.

Specialty Products Association Of South Carolina
A group of specialty product producers using South Carolina farm raised products have banded together to promote their industry.

According to The Happy Berry Bunch, a family run business consisting of Ann, Walker and their daughters Zoe and Betty Ann, it takes a team of the picker(s) and the grower to create a situation where a world record can be set. The pounds per hour are partially determined by the picking conditions. If there is a small crop on the bushes or there are lots of splits, or mummified berries it takes a lot longer to pick the berries and come up with a consumer desirable product, a requirement of rules.

The Happy Berry Bunch challenge all other blueberry growers to work with pickers in their area to beat the record to be announced at a winners reception to be held on August 8, 2005 on the front porch of The Happy Berry farm at 10:30 AM. Invited participants include all the winners and The grand prize winners from the 4 weekly contests held during Blueberry Month, the SC Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers, program coordinator for the Heritage Corridor Farmers Association, Executive Director For Upcountry South Carolina, Clemson University Cooperative Extension Agent, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, Pendleton District Tourism Commission, local newspapers, radio and TV stations. The reception will be open to the public.

*********************************************************************************** The Happy Berry Bunch Email - ContactUs@TheHappyBerry.com Walker, Ann, Zoe & BA Farm 0.9 mile from Route 183 at 510 Gap Hill Rd office 120 Kelley Creek Rd Six Mile, SC [no mail receptacle] Fax 864 868 5606 Six Mile, SC 29682-9713 864 868 2946 (house) or 864 350 9345(farm) Check out our web site http://www.thehappyberry.com ************************************************************************************