the country comes to miami

Remember country farms with stands offering the best and freshest from local farms? Located just 28 miles from downtown Miami, 22 miles from coral gables and the grove, and 13 from pinecrest and kendall, Knauss Berry Farms feels like a bit of Pennsylvania Dutch country.
Punch in 15980 SW 248 st. (also known as Coconut Palm Dr.), into your GPS or online mapping service, and a zip code of 33031, and the end of the road finds you at a simple retail outlet in Homestead Florida.
Its U-pick season at Knauss Berry Farms, which means that vine ripened tomatoes and strawberrys can be had along with the fun of picking them yourself. Ask the friendly employees for advice on which are ideal for harvesting, and which to leave for another day.
Fresh produce, especially newly gleaned lettuces, redleaf, bibb, and a gourmet mache' mix, green and yellow squash, and tri colored peppers catch the eye. If you can make it out of the simple , clean display area without pausing to pick up fresh baked breads, cinnamon and sweet rolls, cheesecakes and fruitpies, you won't be able to pass up the homemade cookies, jams and jellys.
Locally produced Honey is available, which is an increasingly popular and effective way to take the edge off of hay fever when taken with tea in the morning.
Ohhhh, noooo, is that soft serve ice cream? Guilty as charged.
Started some 51 years ago by Ray Knauss, you will find him, his kind and polite daughter Rachel , along with three other of the "Brethren", still wearing the traditional dress of the peace loving and peace seeking German Baptists.
If living a simple life serving God, and supplying the needs of one's community for good, fresh, wholesome, simple food are sufficient for happiness, then Knauss Berry Farms in Homestead may be one of the truly Happy places in our Miami Community and surroundings. Just ask the two smiling, in-the-know ladies in the Audi that made the trip from Coral Gables, and who needed the assistance of a helpful employee to fill up their trunk with their purchases.
The Knauss Berry Farms retail center is open from 8 to 5:30, monday thru saturday. Despite information in a local paper to the contrary, don't make the trip on Sundays as Knauss Farms is closed for its owners and employees to enjoy a quiet day of rest.
Just like it was in the country. Remember?